Empowering African Artists through IP Awareness & Monetization
- Josephine Gikaru
- Apr 30
- 2 min read

Mdundo continues to stand at the forefront of Africa’s music revolution by offering artists a platform where their intellectual property is protected, valued, and monetized. With over 39 million Monthly Active Users across the continent, the platform is reshaping how African artists distribute and benefit from their music. Real Revenue, Real Impact 200,000+ artists have earned royalties on Mdundo since launch. Based on the latest revenue guidance, Mdundo expects to disburse approximately USD 900K in royalties for the 2025/26 financial year, reinforcing its continued commitment to fair artist compensation. "By delivering consistent and substantial earnings, we are contributing to the growth of individual artists while supporting the Long-term development of the African Music industry." - Martin Nielsen, CEO, Mdundo
Protecting IP, Building Futures Mdundo's licensing and legal framework ensures artists retain rights and earn royalties when their music is streamed or downloaded. Strategic partnerships with Africori, UMG, Virgin Music Group, and Zikki boost artist visibility and IP protection,. The platform also champions diverse African sound- Like Kalenjin, Luo/ Ohangla, Singeli, Bongo Flava, Hausa, and Highlife preserving Cultural heritage while promoting fair monetization. Partnerships that Power Progress Collaborations with Safaricom, MTN, Glo, and Vodacom are driving the growth of paid music consumption across Africa. Through seamless integration with mobile partners, Mdundo enables seamless access to premium music experiences through subscriptions, directly increasing artist earnings and promoting legal access to music at scale. Fair and Timely Compensation —And More
“Fair and timely compensation is a core principle in how we support artists and build a robust legal and financial framework in the African music industry, aligning with Mdundo’s mission to provide Africa with easy access to online entertainment.” — Phiona Nafuna, Head of Licensing, Mdundo In addition to fairness, Mdundo offers a way to monetize mass-market consumption— represented by over 39 million Monthly Active Users—that might otherwise resort to piracy. Through transparent earnings via our dashboard, we empower artists with clear visibility into their income, turning informal listening into a reliable revenue stream. The Road Ahead: IP as a Catalyst for Global Success Mdundo’s mission—focused on structure, income, and legality—acts as a foundation for this journey, and could be seen as supporting pillars in our shared agenda for growth and empowerment. These pillars not only align with our purpose but also shape the way forward. Join Us This World IP Day Let’s continue the journey to empower creators with knowledge, tools, and income—because when you know your rights, you can own your music.
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