In a landmark development for the East and Southern African music industries, Kenya’s KAMP Copyright and Related Rights Limited has signed a reciprocal agreement with the South African Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA), paving the way for fair and cross-border royalty collections for performers and producers.
The agreement, signed in Cape Town by SAMPRA CEO Mr. Pfanani Lishivha and KAMP CEO CS Maurice Okoth, marks a major milestone in KAMP’s expanding mandate following the receipt of its provisional license and its new role representing performers in Kenya.
Under the new agreement, KAMP will collect and remit royalties on behalf of South African rights holders whose works are used in Kenya, while SAMPRA will do the same for Kenyan artists whose music is played in South Africa. This marks the first time Kenyan performers will begin receiving royalties from usage in South Africa—a market where Kenyan music continues to gain traction.
“This partnership is a major breakthrough for our members,” said Maurice Okoth, CEO of KAMP. “Reciprocal agreements such as this are built on the principle of mutual benefit and trust. We’re proud to say, ‘you do for me, I do for you’ is now a reality for our industry.”
SAMPRA’s Chief Executive Officer, Pfanani Lishivha, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the strategic collaboration aimed at strengthening the rights infrastructure in the region.
“We are excited to have this agreement with KAMP,” said Lishivha. “Over the past four years, we have worked closely with counterparts in Kenya and Tanzania to build capacity in licensing, collections, and royalty distribution. We hope this partnership facilitates the smooth flow of neighbouring rights royalties between Kenya and South Africa.”
The signing took place during the 2025 Sub-Saharan Africa Performance Rights Conference (PRC), hosted by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in partnership with SAMPRA. The event, held in Cape Town from April 9–10, brought together industry stakeholders, including record labels, Music Licensing Companies (MLCs), and Collective Management Organizations (CMOs), from across the region.
For KAMP, the agreement is a key step in fulfilling regulatory requirements for a unified rights management system in Kenya—bringing performers, sound recordings, and producers under a single umbrella. It also promises to significantly boost income for KAMP’s members, many of whom have never received royalties for international use of their works.
“This is more than just a contract—it’s a commitment to fairness, growth, and international cooperation in the creative economy,” said Okoth.
The partnership is expected to serve as a model for future cross-border collaborations in the African music industry, helping performers and producers receive fair compensation wherever their music is played.
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