NIKITA KERING CHAMPIONS KENYAN ARTISTS RIGHTS AT AFRICAN UNION HEADQUARTERS

Acclaimed Kenyan singer-songwriter Nikita Kering stood before leaders and policymakers at the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Ababa on May 13, delivering a powerful plea for fair compensation and calling for protections for African artists.

Speaking on behalf of Kenyan and African creatives, the multi-award-winning artist highlighted challenges with Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) and digital streaming platforms, calling for urgent intervention from the continental body.

“Today, I represent Kenyan artists at the African Union HQ to address the unfair pay from CMOs and digital platforms and to push for stronger AU support in protecting our intellectual property,” Nikita declared. “We are barely earning from local CMOs but from platforms abroad. I think it’s time for the African Union to join that conversation.”

Her address comes after the growing frustration among African musicians and content creators who face meager royalties despite the global consumption of their work.