PACSA Patron Meeting with Creators Solidifies Push for Progress in Africa

The Pan-African Composers’ and Songwriters’ Alliance (PACSA) held an inaugural meeting with leading, influential creators in Paris on 30 May as part of their Patron programme. Creators came from throughout Africa, lending their strategic insight and practical, on-the-ground knowledge to the organisation. Founded in 2010 and counting 35 African composers’ and songwriters’ society organisations, PACSA works to develop copyright protection, help artists understand their remuneration rights and provide guidance for organisations wishing to legally use and license music in Africa.

The meeting began with PACSA President Sam Mbende warmly welcoming participants, which included creators, CIAM President Lorenzo Ferrero and PACSA Coordinator Sonia Mutesi Hakuziyaremye. Mbende presented PACSA, including its mission focused on singer-songwriter rights and fair remuneration; its public awareness campaigns, educational activities and international cooperation. He then gave a brief overview of the music industry in Africa and challenges faced by music creators and collective management organisations in the continent.

The importance and benefits of the Patron programme were then presented by Mbende. PACSA Patrons help show the importance of authors’ rights to the public and developing artists, lobby authorities and collective management organisations, and help promote PACSA. Creators themselves are able to benefit from a solid foundation that they can rely upon to attain resolutions that allow artists to better benefit from their rights. They receive information on progress regarding singer-songwriter rights and remuneration in Africa and around the world. They will also be able to benefit from greater remuneration as African collective management organisations improve their operations.

Creators showed great interest in becoming members and contributing to PACSA’s growth. They particularly noted that the alliance’s energies should focus on informing and educating creators and the public on authors’ rights. Creators also urged to continue training sessions and seminars for authors, such as the successful initiative in Rwanda, all while continuing PACSA’s lobbying efforts to decision-makers.