RECORDING INDUSTRY OF KENYA ORGANISES WORKSHOP EMPOWERING KENYAN RECORD PRODUCERS

The Recording Industry of Kenya (RIKE) successfully concluded a landmark 3-day hybrid workshop held in Nairobi, last week from 6 – 8 May 2025.

The workshop aimed at empowering Kenyan record producers with critical industry knowledge, skills and global networks and indeed brought together a cross section of industry professionals from Kenya, South Africa, and the UK.

Over the three days, the workshop featured sessions on content protection and enforcement, digital monetisation, intellectual property rights, AI in the music industry, financial literacy and business acumen. Through direct engagement with industry veterans and stakeholders, participants gained insights aligned with global standards and strengthened their collective voice through RIKE membership. The workshop also facilitated formal membership registration and recruitment for rights-holding record labels and independent artists into the association.

RIKE is the representative body for Kenyan record producers—both independent and label-based. The non-profit organization advocates for the rights and interests of Kenyan record producers, while continuing to push for reform and industry growth through initiatives such as ISRC code issuance, policy lobbying, chart certification and anti-piracy enforcement.

Angela Ndambuki, Sub-Saharan Director at IFPI, explored the current state of the recording industry in Kenya, highlighting both its potential and ongoing structural challenges. Sharon Wata, Deputy Executive Director at KECOBO and Maurice Okoth, CEO of KAMP emphasized the need for a fair and transparent regulatory environment for Collective Management Organizations (CMOs), while Mike Strano, Chair of the Partners Against Piracy Association of Kenya addressed the growing threat of online piracy and its damaging impact on rights holders. Ntsietso Mokitimi-Makhofola, SAMPRA’s Chief Legal and Revenue Officer outlined strategies for a sustainable and collaborative future for the recorded music industry, while sharing lessons from South Africa’s SAMPRA, demonstrating the value of strong collection management and compliance systems.

Angela Mwandanda, National Coordinator for RIKE, recaps the workshop, “RIKE’s first industry workshop was about knowledge, empowerment and unity. With the support of the British Council and our valued partners, we created an environment where record producers could understand their rights, monetize their work and collaborate beyond borders. It was a major step in making informal, experience-based knowledge more accessible and encouraging music owners to join RIKE as a united front.”

Echoing her sentiments, Eric Musyoka, Chairman of RIKE and Executive Producer at Decimal Records, added: “This was a turning point for the Kenyan music industry. We focused on building the capacity of record producers to not only thrive locally but to compete globally. It’s time we placed our creators at the center of the conversation, both as business people and stakeholders in a growing creative economy.”

A major highlight on day three was a special cultural exchange evening featuring a collaboration between Eric Musyoka and Mikey Akin of UK-based group Sons of Sonix. “I enjoyed connecting with young producers, hearing their stories, and experiencing the Ubuntu philosophy firsthand,” Akin shared.

Central to the workshop was a Mentorship Initiative led by iKECHUKWU (Black PHARAOH) Onuorah, Creative Business Director at SEM/AMS. “We aimed to prepare young African music professionals for success within the continent and globally, combining creative talent with entrepreneurial knowledge,” said Onuorah.

The mentorship also served as a launchpad for a broader opportunity: select participants from the workshop have now qualified to join the Omniverse Africa 2026 music camp in Lagos, Nigeria. There, they will collaborate with peers from across Africa to produce a cross-continental compilation album, followed by a regional tour.

The RIKE workshop was supported by the British Council through its #UKKenyaSeason2025 grant, with additional backing from Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), Strictly Entertainment Music (SEM) and African Music Summit (AMS). This marked a significant milestone in RIKE’s mission—rooted in collaboration, empowerment and the celebration of Kenya’s musical excellence on the world stage.