“$286 Million Lost”: USPTO Says Lack Of Transparency In CMOs Is Bleeding African Music Revenue

By Ross Moyo

African music has global demand, but the money is leaking.

Michael Kamutu, journalist from Uganda was amongst the few registered to attend the August 19, 2026 Digital Press Briefing on IP for Growth with Ms. Katherine M. Hiner, USPTO IP Attaché for Sub-Saharan Africa:

The Ugandan posed his burning question, “One of the biggest IP gaps preventing African creators from fully monetizing their content globally?”

Hiner the US expert responded: “We kept coming back to three main opportunities: Increasing transparency and accountability in collection processes, including CMOs. Raising public awareness and providing education to artists about IP rights. And arming enforcement agencies with resources to address piracy.”

She cited data from Music Economy Research: Kenya and Nigeria alone lose $286 million in recorded revenue each year*l to uncollected royalties.

“The talent demand is there. The value is slipping through the gap,” Hiner said.