Music

Music Royalties in East Africa

By Rich B • February 8, 2026

The State of Royalties in 2026

Music royalties are the lifeblood of a sustainable career. In East Africa, the landscape is changing rapidly with the rise of digital streaming and improved collection mechanisms.

Performance Royalties

Performance royalties are earned when your music is played in public. This includes:

Radio airplay
TV broadcasts
Live performances
Background music in restaurants and clubs

Mechanical Royalties

These are generated when your music is reproduced. In the digital age, this primarily means:

Streaming (Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay)
Downloads
Physical sales (CDs, Vinyl)

Collecting Societies

To get paid, you need to be registered with:

Kenya: MCSK, KAMP, PRISK
Uganda: UPRS
Tanzania: COSOTA

"If you aren't registered, you aren't getting paid. It's that simple."

Digital Distribution

Using a distributor like DistroKid, Tunecore, or a local aggregator is essential to get your music on DSPs (Digital Service Providers) and collect your mechanical royalties globally.

In Focus

The technical precision required for modern production.

Live performances remain a primary source of income.

Digital distribution has changed the landscape forever.

The Author

Rich B

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Mad Beats Magazine. With over a decade of experience in the music industry, Rich B focuses on the intersection of technology, culture, and the business of music in East Africa and beyond.