Andrea Mitchell

The beginning of a new year presents an opportunity not just to set ambitions, but to reflect honestly on where an industry stands and what it truly needs to evolve. As we enter 2026, African music continues to enjoy unprecedented global attention. Our artists are charting internationally, touring major markets, and shaping global culture. Yet beneath this success lies a less glamorous but far more critical conversation—structure. The next phase of growth for African music will not be driven by virality or volume alone. It will be driven by how well our intellectual property is organised, protected, and administered. Across publishing, collective management, and rights administration, we continue to see recurring challenges: unclear ownership, missing metadata, unregistered compositions, fragmented administration, and royalties that go unclaimed or are delayed. These issues do not stem from a lack of talent, but from systems that are still catching up with the speed of creative output. In 2025, Uptique Music had the privilege of administering over 200+ music catalogs and collecting over ₦50 million in publishing royalties for creators across multiple territories. More importantly, we earned the trust of songwriters, producers, and rights holders who rely on us to safeguard and maximise the value of their work. That trust—and the responsibility that comes with it—is a major inspiration for our approach this year. In 2026, the focus must shift from simply creating hits to building assets. Songs are not just cultural moments; they are long-term economic instruments. Without proper documentation, registration, and administration, even the biggest records lose value over time. At Uptique, our approach this year is deliberate. We are prioritising clarity over scale and value over volume. The industry must begin asking harder questions: (i)Who controls the publishing rights? (ii)Where are the compositions registered? (iii)Are royalties being collected efficiently across all territories? (iv)Are creators building catalogs with long-term thinking, or simply releasing music? These questions are not administrative formalities—they are the foundation of sustainable careers and generational wealth in music. Growth without structure is fragile. Structure without vision is stagnant. What Africa’s music ecosystem needs now is visionary creativity supported by strong, reliable systems. As the year unfolds, we look forward to contributing meaningfully to this journey—through administration, education, partnerships, and honest conversations about building music rights structures that truly serve African creators. Here’s to a year of intentional building and lasting value.

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As the music industry continues to grow, Lucklyn Audu emphasizes the importance of carefully reviewing agreements before signing. With more opportunities comes greater risk, making it essential for artists to understand the terms that govern their work, rights, and earnings. To read the full insights and learn why vetting agreements is crucial in today’s industry. Click the link below to learn more. https://lnkd.in/d3kAJAXW

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VYRE Network (OTC: VYRE), a global streaming platform focused on empowering independent filmmakers, TV creators, and athletes, has announced a new venture in entertainment financing with the formation of Itibari Waynne & Partners (IWP). This initiative, developed in partnership with Waynne Manor Corp., aims to provide substantial financial backing and support to independent content creators, addressing a significant gap in the entertainment industry. https://lnkd.in/g64sf5JA #VYRE #VYRENetwork #IWP #Streaming

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Circuits and Blue Pictures Announce Strategic Partnership Circuits, Africa’s leading virtual cinema and digital entertainment platform, which has rapidly grown to become the biggest virtual cinema in Nigeria, has announced a landmark partnership with Blue Pictures. The collaboration will cover co-production, distribution of premium titles, and the implementation of key initiatives designed to strengthen Africa’s creative economy, with a strong focus on empowering women and youth. Audiences can look forward to exciting new releases, including Family Brouhaha and other premium content that showcase the richness and diversity of African storytelling. Joy Odiete, CEO of Blue Pictures, described the partnership with passion: “This partnership with Circuits is more than just business; it is about rewriting the future of African cinema. Together, we are building bridges for Nollywood and African stories to reach global audiences while creating real opportunities for women and youth to thrive in the creative economy.” Adding to this, Imade Bibowei-Osuobeni, COO at Circuits, highlighted the platform’s commitment to growth and transparency: “With all the growth and improvements on Circuits, producers have, since June 2025, had access to their back-end data to validate sales reports and review detailed sales analytics, in addition to the monthly reports they had been receiving since inception. As of this month, four producers have become eligible for additional payouts after their initial minimum guarantee/licensing fees and will continue to receive monthly payments for as long as their films remain on the platform and generate revenue. This was always the vision: ensuring that money consistently goes into the hands of those who do the hard work. With a content protection system like no other, we are positioned to distribute African content globally, protect creators’ IP, and ensure their work is fairly and transparently monetised. Viewers should expect nothing less than premium content on Circuits.” -she said. 👉 Follow @Circuitstreams for exclusive updates and authentic African cinema.

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PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT ⭐️🗣️ The Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) and Nile Media Entertainment Group Join Forces to Expand Global Distribution Opportunities for African Cinema The Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Nile media Entertainment Group, a dynamic force in connecting authentic African storytelling with global audiences. Nile media Entertainment group operates across Africa, the United States, Canada, and Europe, building robust distribution networks that bridge local content with international markets. Through its extensive portfolio and global reach, Nile media Entertainment group is a champion of African stories and voices on the world stage. This partnership marks a pivotal moment in BSIFF’s decade-long mission to elevate the African film industry. A key challenge for African filmmakers remains access to sustainable distribution and market visibility — barriers that this partnership aims to break down. By aligning with Nile media Entertainment, BSIFF is reinforcing its commitment to not only celebrate African cinema but also ensure that the stories told are seen, sold, and appreciated far beyond the festival. “We are honoured to participate in the Black Star International Film Festival — a platform that continues to celebrate and elevate African storytelling on a global scale. At Nile, we believe in the power of cross-border collaboration, and this festival represents a vital space for connecting visionary filmmakers, creators, and industry leaders across the continent. Ghana’s growing influence in the creative sector is undeniable, and we are excited to contribute to the dialogue and future of African cinema from this vibrant hub.” — Moses Babatope, CEO, Nile Entertainment Group “For the past ten years, BSIFF has served as a platform that not only showcases the work of African filmmakers but also actively creates pathways into the global film marketplace. We understand that the true sustainability of independent African cinema depends on access — access to opportunities, partnerships, and revenue streams that empower filmmakers to move from one project to the next. That is why our focus remains on the business of film and strategic collaborations like this one. We invite all filmmakers across the continent to submit to and participate in the festival — because BSIFF is where African cinema meets the world.” — Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante, Founder, Black Star International Film Festival

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The ongoing Venice Film Festival 2025 marks a historic and groundbreaking moment for the African film industry with its most expansive and inclusive African presence ever. For the first time in the festival's 82-year history, African cinema competes and showcases across a wide spectrum of official and sidebar categories, reflecting the continent's vibrant storytelling and growing international recognition. Key highlights of African participation include five African films in the main festival sections, featuring works from Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya and Algeria. Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s "The Voice of Hind Rajab" is competing in the Main Competition, while other films like Nigeria's "Saint Simeon" and Morocco's "Calle Malaga" appear in competitive and spotlight sections. Additionally, the Kenyan-Nigerian co-production "One Woman One Bra" premieres in the Biennale College Cinema section, and Kenyan sci-fi "Memory of Princess Mumbi" appears in Venice Days, spotlighting fresh, innovative narratives from the continent. Beyond screenings, Venice supports African filmmakers through initiatives like Final Cut in Venice, focusing on films in post-production requiring completion financing, with several African projects selected. Morocco’s prominent role as Focus Country at the Venice Production Bridge also highlights a coordinated industry push, underscoring long-term infrastructure and collaboration efforts. This remarkable visibility at Venice signifies African cinema's scale, diversity, and rising global influence, underscoring the continent’s storytelling as essential to the future of world cinema. The festival offers African filmmakers unparalleled exposure to global markets and industry players, fostering opportunities for financing, co-productions, and distribution beyond the festival circuit. In sum, Venice Film Festival 2025 is a milestone year for African cinema celebrating its rich cultural narratives, pushing new voices onto the international stage, and strengthening pathways for sustainable growth in the global film industry. #Africanfilms #Africanstories #Venice #Filmmaking #Storytelling

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Have you noticed the digital shift in African media? Streaming platforms are changing the game. At MediaValley, our XR studio capabilities are enhancing content experiences. The World Bank reports a 115% increase in internet users in Sub-Saharan Africa. This growth is fueling demand for digital content. To thrive, consider these strategies: 1. Invest in digital storytelling. 2. Explore interactive and immersive content. 3. Build partnerships with tech innovators. These approaches can position you for success in the evolving media landscape. What digital strategies are you exploring? #DigitalTransformation #Streaming

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Big moves at Cannes 2025 for the Nigerian Film Industry! At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, the Nigerian International Film Summit (NIFS), in partnership with the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and TransPerfect Media unveiled a key Industry Talent Development Initiative. This initiative focuses on strengthening Nigeria’s film production and technical skill set in audio and sound design for young film professionals, ultimately enhancing production values. In a joint announcement by me, Ali Nuhu (Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation), and Jacques Van Hollebeke (Director, Business Development Africa for TransPerfect Media), NIFS, in collaboration with the NFC and TransPerfect Media, is launching a training program in Rennes, France, for two weeks in October 2025. Seven emerging film sound engineers from Nigeria will be trained in: 1. Sound recording 2. Conformation 3. Direct editing 4. Sound editing 5. Foley 6. Mixing 7. Mastering As the Founder of NIFS, one of our key mandates is industry training and development, aimed at building technical capacity in sound design. This initiative will elevate the quality and competitiveness of Nigerian film and TV productions globally. We anticipate a transformative impact on the successful finalists. #NIFS #Cannes2025 #SoundEngineering #NigerianFilm #CapacityBuilding #FilmProduction #AfricanCinema #CreativeEconomy

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The Africa Rising Music Conference is set to return to Johannesburg in 2026, and it is becoming one of the most important meeting points for people shaping the future of African music. Artists, producers, label executives, tech platforms, and investors will all gather to talk about where the industry is going next. What is interesting is how quickly the conversation around African music has changed. Just a few years ago the global industry talked about African music as an emerging market. Today it is one of the most influential cultural forces in global music. Afrobeats artists are selling out arenas, Amapiano is driving club culture around the world, and African producers are shaping international hits. But behind the celebration of growth there is a bigger question that does not get discussed enough. As African music becomes more global, who is actually building the long term infrastructure for the industry? Are African companies and creators building the systems that will control distribution, publishing, and rights in the future? Or are international platforms still capturing most of the value while Africa provides the creativity and talent? Conferences like Africa Rising are exciting because they bring these conversations into the open. They are not just about performances or networking. They are about the business of music and how Africa positions itself in the global industry. The opportunity is massive, but so are the decisions being made right now. Curious to hear different perspectives from people in the music business. Is the African music industry building a sustainable global ecosystem, or are we still watching the early stages of a much bigger transformation?

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