Recently, the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos convened more than 120 intellectual property (IP) policymakers, lawyers, music executives, artists, producers, distributors, and other creative industry stakeholders for a three-day workshop exploring how stronger IP protection can unlock investment, expand revenues, and create new commercial opportunities for American businesses and Nigeria’s rapidly growing music industry.

At the ebvent, which was part of the U.S. Mission’s celebration of 250 years of independence, it brought decades of experience in building a music industry that has turned the country’s creative industry into a global economic force.

Titled, ‘IP for Growth in Africa: Lagos Music Industry Workshop,’ it provided an opportunity to highlight America’s excellence and experience in the creative sector while learning from the talent and innovation coming out of Nigeria.

The U.S. Consul General Brandon Hudspeth underscored the growing commercial partnership between the American and Nigerian music industries, noting that U.S. record labels including Universal Music Group, EMPIRE, Sony, and Warner Music Group, as well as platforms such as YouTube, Meta and Apple Music have helped Nigerian artists reach global audiences generate revenue, attract investment and create jobs across the creative value chain.

“The United States sees Nigeria’s music industry not only as a powerful cultural force, but as a significant trade and investment opportunity. As Afrobeats reaches more listeners around the world, we will continue to see more American music companies work with more Nigerian artists, labels, publishers, platforms, and other creative businesses,” Hudspeth said.

He emphasised that strong IP protection and enforcement are essential to creating the certainty that U.S. music companies need to enter partnerships, finance projects, develop new markets, and invest for the long term.

Hudspeth added, “for Nigeria, strong IP protection gives U.S. investors greater confidence, gives creators greater control over their work, and creates the conditions for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic to invest, partner, and grow.”

The event was organised in partnership with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); the U.S. Mission in Geneva; and the Nigerian alumni of the American Music Mentorship Programme (AMMP), a U.S. government exchange programme implemented in partnership with the Recording Academy, the organisation behind the GRAMMY Awards.

The 10 Nigerian alumni of the AMMP exchange programme brought their U.S. and Nigerian music industry experience, insights, and professional networks to the discussions, while panelists highlighted partnerships, such as Universal Music Group-Mavin and EMPIRE-YBNL as models of U.S.-Nigeria commercial collaboration that have helped propel Nigerian Afrobeats to global audiences, expanding market access, while creating new revenue streams that benefit both countries.

Speakers and panelists at the event, including Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Obi Asika; Director General, Nigeria Copyright Commission, Dr. John Asein; Director, World Intellectual Property Organisation Nigeria Country Office, Dr. Tobi Moody; Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem; and representatives of leading American music companies operating in Nigeria, examined the legal and commercial foundations of a sustainable music industry. They discussed topics covering copyright ownership, royalty systems, IP enforcement, licensing, contracts, music monetization, streaming, publishing, and international market access.

The U.S. government is committed to supporting bilateral and multilateral initiatives such as this workshop to bring together the music industry professionals who innovate, create, and build, as well as policymakers and industry leaders to discuss building a sustainable music business that enjoys strong IP protections.