Zimura Calls for Urgent Reforms to Boost Music Royalties and Protect Zimbabwean Artistes

The Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura) has highlighted critical challenges facing the country’s music royalty system, urging immediate reforms to protect artistes’ earnings and strengthen the creative economy. Speaking at the inaugural intellectual property rights workshop, Zimura leadership and regional partners warned that low payouts, policy gaps and structural inefficiencies continue to undermine revenue collection. The event brought together government officials, musicians and copyright experts to discuss solutions for a system that has lagged behind other African countries. Organisers stressed that without urgent action, Zimbabwe risks limiting opportunities for local artists to benefit from both domestic and global markets. The forum underscored the growing importance of digital platforms and international collaborations in shaping the financial viability of the country’s music industry.

In a keynote address, Zimura chairperson Alexio Gwenzi outlined plans to develop a strategic roadmap for improving royalty collection and distribution. He acknowledged that internal disputes and negative publicity have weakened Zimura’s reputation, affecting client compliance and revenue flow. Gwenzi stressed that a collective management organisation’s success depends on consistent contributions, likening royalties to a bank account where withdrawals are only possible if deposits occur. He also cautioned musicians against unrealistic expectations, explaining that royalties directly reflect the commercial usage of their work. His remarks framed the challenges as both operational and cultural, calling for collaboration between artistes, businesses and the organisation to create a sustainable system.

The workshop featured insights from regional copyright experts, including Composers, Authors and Publishers Association CEO Jotam Matariro, who emphasised the need for Zimbabwe to embrace digital transformation. Matariro highlighted that songs created locally can now reach global audiences, making intellectual property a significant economic asset. He argued that a seamless connection between creators and the global market is essential to ensure profitability and transparency. Matariro also noted that legislative and technological measures are required to prevent revenue leakage and ensure Zimbabwean artistes benefit from international consumption. His address positioned copyright management as a key contributor to national gross domestic product rather than solely a creative pursuit.

Participants also addressed systemic issues, such as the existence of multiple collective management organisations, which have caused tariff undercutting and substantial revenue losses. Zimura cited a specific case where a fast-food outlet paid a rival organisation US$46 000 instead of the US$86 719 invoiced by Zimura, resulting in a US$40 000 shortfall. The organisation further reported being owed over US$1 million in unpaid royalties by broadcasters, hotels and other music users. A government directive halting royalty collection from cover bands was also criticised for unfairly depriving composers of income. Stakeholders emphasised that without coherent policy and enforcement, local musicians will continue to lose significant earnings.

To address these challenges, Zimura announced plans to launch a mobile application that will allow artistes to upload music, monitor usage, and receive royalty payments digitally. The workshop concluded with calls for stronger legislation to compel international streaming platforms to pay royalties through local management systems. Experts warned that failing to implement these reforms could result in continued capital flight and lost opportunities in the digital music economy. The forum emphasised unity among artistes, government, and industry players as critical to building a transparent and profitable royalty system. By modernising operations and reinforcing legal frameworks, Zimbabwe can ensure that its music creators are fairly compensated and that the creative sector contributes meaningfully to economic growth.