https://en.sputniknews.africa/20261015/africas-music-boom-puts-economic-sovereignty-in-spotlight-1089981046.html
Africa’s Music Boom Puts Economic Sovereignty in Spotlight
Africa’s Music Boom Puts Economic Sovereignty in Spotlight
Sputnik Africa
African music has become a global cultural force, but the continent must do more to turn that popularity into lasting economic benefits for its artists and... 15.10.2026, Sputnik Africa
2026-10-15T14:10+0200
2026-10-15T14:10+0200
2026-10-15T14:10+0200
global south pole
economy
africa
podcasts
music
music industry
ugandan music
music festival
culture
investment
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07ea/0a/0f/1089984044_0:0:1671:941_1920x0_80_0_0_b13375ea807169d5d636cb38436b5fd5.jpg
Africa’s Music Boom Puts Economic Sovereignty in Spotlight
Sputnik Africa
African music has become a global cultural force, but the continent must do more to turn that popularity into lasting economic benefits for its artists and creative industries, according to Audu Maikori, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Chocolate City Group.
The worldwide popularity of Afrobeats has opened new markets for African artists, with streaming platforms and international partnerships helping their music reach audiences far beyond the continent. However, questions remain over who controls distribution, collects royalties, and captures the financial value generated by African creativity.Global South Pole spoke to Audu Maikori, a music industry executive with more than two decades of experience at the intersection of law, business, and entertainment, to examine how Africa can strengthen its position in the global music economy. He discussed the importance of African-owned distribution infrastructure, effective copyright protection, stronger royalty collection systems, and fairer international partnerships.Maikori argued that Africa’s challenge was not simply producing globally successful music but building the institutions and businesses needed to retain more of the value it generates. He stressed that control over distribution gives companies influence over data, pricing, and commercial terms, while weak collective management organizations limit artists’ ability to collect royalties from international markets. He also called for African music businesses to pursue global partnerships without becoming dependent on foreign platforms, noting that artists needed to understand their contractual rights and protect their ownership.To listen to the whole discussion, tune in to the Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on Telegram.► You can also listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Castbox, Pocket Casts, Afripods, Podcast Addict, Overcast, and Mave Stream.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole
africa
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
2026
Aliyu Bello
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e9/0a/16/1079780916_214:0:1067:853_100x100_80_0_0_4bd8916543c40cbb732ddb736f79e903.jpg
Aliyu Bello
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e9/0a/16/1079780916_214:0:1067:853_100x100_80_0_0_4bd8916543c40cbb732ddb736f79e903.jpg
News
en_EN
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Aliyu Bello
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e9/0a/16/1079780916_214:0:1067:853_100x100_80_0_0_4bd8916543c40cbb732ddb736f79e903.jpg
economy, africa, podcasts, music, music industry, ugandan music, music festival, culture, investment, artificial intelligence (ai), technology, cooperation, аудио
economy, africa, podcasts, music, music industry, ugandan music, music festival, culture, investment, artificial intelligence (ai), technology, cooperation, аудио
Africa’s Music Boom Puts Economic Sovereignty in Spotlight
Aliyu Bello
Correspondent, Podcast Host
African music has become a global cultural force, but the continent must do more to turn that popularity into lasting economic benefits for its artists and creative industries, according to Audu Maikori, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Chocolate City Group.
The worldwide popularity of Afrobeats has opened new markets for African artists, with streaming platforms and international partnerships helping their music reach audiences far beyond the continent. However, questions remain over who controls distribution, collects royalties, and captures the financial value generated by African creativity.
Global South Pole spoke to Audu Maikori, a music industry executive with more than two decades of experience at the intersection of law, business, and entertainment, to examine how Africa can strengthen its position in the global music economy. He discussed the importance of African-owned distribution infrastructure, effective copyright protection, stronger royalty collection systems, and fairer international partnerships.
Maikori argued that Africa’s challenge was not simply producing globally successful music but building the institutions and businesses needed to retain more of the value it generates. He stressed that control over distribution gives companies influence over data, pricing, and commercial terms, while weak collective management organizations limit artists’ ability to collect royalties from international markets. He also called for African music businesses to pursue global partnerships without becoming dependent on foreign platforms, noting that artists needed to understand their contractual rights and protect their ownership.
"There’s the issue of ownership and there’s the issue of control. You see, you can own something and not control it. And you can also control something without owning it,” Maikori said, emphasizing that African music’s growing global influence must translate into greater economic returns for the continent.
To listen to the whole discussion, tune in to the
Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by
Sputnik Africa.In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on
Telegram.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole 
