Angélique Kidjo and Lokua Kanza call for stronger copyright and culture support in Africa

At the opening of the first ever conference in Africa dedicated to private copying collections, Grammy-winning music performer CISAC Vice President Angélique Kidjo strongly appealed for African governments to enact effective systems for a supportive private copying environment: “It is imperative that more African countries treat their creators with the respect they deserve and adopt measures to protect them and their rights”.

CISAC has joined member society BURIDA in promoting this solution at the MASA Festival in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, through a round table on how private copying remuneration can benefit African creators on March 15th. The round table drew over 400 people, including government authorities, creators and journalists, to become the most successful professional day of the festival.

In Africa, private copying represents 12% of all society collections. In some countries, this can rise to as much as 50%. The continent represents a region full of potential for improving the livelihood of creators, yet to do so depends upon putting in place supportive legislative frameworks including establishing effective private copying systems. 

Speaking in advance of the event, celebrated singer-songwriter Lokua Kanza joined the CISAC delegation. Lokua Kanza, an internationally renowned artist who has worked on more than 100 albums, collaborated with creators from 29 different countries and who is a coach on The Voice Africa, said: “Africa is a young continent with a generation of artists that deserve to be able to make a living from their creative work.  These are artists that make up each country’s culture, and our culture is what shapes the society that we want to live in.  Remuneration from private copying is an important way of rewarding artists in Africa – it can benefit artists, the economy and our whole cultural development”.

Angelique Kidjo added: “Creators simply get remuneration in exchange for the possibility for all to make copies of their work without the requirement of a prior authorization, and on all types of formats, physical as well as digital”.

The round table at the Palais de la Culture examined creating more opportunities based on private copying legislation BURIDA, ONDA and BBDA joined CISAC alongside the support from the Ministry of Culture and Francophonie of Ivory Coast. The event was also the first time that the CISAC Private Copying Global Study was presented to the public.