Why Africa's Music Industry Isn't Getting Paid What It's Owed with Shain Shapiro
Unlocking AfricaPlay episode
Show notes
Episode 232 with Shain Shapiro, Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Music Ecosystems and one of the world's leading experts on music, public policy, and economic development. Through his work advising more than 130 cities and governments worldwide, Shain has helped reposition music from being viewed simply as entertainment to being recognised as a driver of investment, job creation, and long term economic growth. He is also one of the architects behind the Music Economy Development Initiative (MEDI), a global partnership that has launched the first ever platform to map the music economies of all 55 African countries.
In this episode, Shain explains why Africa's music industry represents one of the continent's most overlooked economic opportunities. Despite African music reaching audiences around the world through genres such as Afrobeats and Amapiano, Africa captures only a tiny share of the music royalties, copyright revenues, and wider economic value its creators generate. Drawing on landmark research from the Music Economy Development Initiative, he explains why nearly 286 million US dollars in recorded music revenue remains uncollected in Nigeria and Kenya alone, and how stronger copyright systems, improved intellectual property protections, better rights management, and greater investment could unlock billions of dollars for African creators and the wider economy.
We discuss why governments should begin treating music as economic infrastructure rather than simply culture, how better data can transform policymaking and attract investment, the role of development finance institutions in strengthening Africa's creative industries, and why countries such as Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire are emerging as important case studies for music ecosystem development.
What We Discuss With Shain
Why Africa dominates global music culture but captures so little of its economic value.The hidden copyright, royalty, and policy infrastructure every successful music industry needs.Why nearly 286 million US dollars in music revenue goes uncollected in Nigeria and Kenya.Can Africa's music industry become one of the continent's next major economic growth sectors?How better policy, investment, and copyright systems could transform Africa's creative economy.Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Investing $100 Million to Create Africa's Next Million Jobs: Why Manufacturing Beats Tech? Make sure to check it out!
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Twitter (X) - @TerserAdamu
Connect with Shain
LinkedIn - Shain Shapiro PhD and Global Citizen
Many of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group:
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