Lagos hosted the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) Africa Performance Rights Conference (PRC) 2026, a two-day event that began March 31 and brought together top music industry executives from across Sub-Saharan Africa. Themed "Addressing Challenges and Leveraging Opportunities to Drive the Sustainable Growth of Recorded Music in Africa," the conference gathered CEOs of major record labels, heads of Collective Management Organisations, and representatives of music licensing bodies. Nigeria's Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, declared the event open, stating, "Africa is no longer at the margins of the global music industry—we are its fastest-growing frontier." She cited IFPI data showing Sub-Saharan Africa's recorded music revenues reached $120 million in 2025, with digital revenues up over 20% and subscription streaming adding $12.5 million.
Discussions focused on improving performance rights licensing, royalty distribution, and anti-piracy enforcement. IFPI Chief Legal Officer Lauri Rechardt stressed the importance of effective collective management organisations in ensuring fair compensation. A high-level panel featuring executives from Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Chocolate City, and Mavin Records explored growth barriers, moderated by Angela Ndambuki. Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, John O. Asein, praised IFPI's partnership with the NCC, calling the music industry a strategic economic resource. He highlighted Afrobeats, Amapiano, and Afro-fusion as globally influential, while warning that weak copyright enforcement and outdated licensing frameworks threaten sustained growth. Stakeholders also raised concerns about artificial intelligence's impact, urging policies that protect human creativity and revenue.
Hannatu Musawa's declaration that Africa is the music industry's "fastest-growing frontier" rings true, but growth without enforceable rights is just noise. With Sub-Saharan Africa earning $120 million in recorded music revenue in 2025, the real challenge lies in ensuring artists and rights holders actually see those returns. John O. Asein's call for stronger copyright frameworks isn't new—yet until laws match the pace of creativity, Nigeria's position as a cultural leader won't translate into lasting economic gain.
