Strengthening Performers’ Rights in Africa: ARIPO and GAVA Hold the 5th African Regional Seminar on Copyright and Related Rights in the Audiovisual Sector

The 5th African Regional Seminar on Copyright and Related Rights in the Audiovisual Sector was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on July 15 and 16, 2026, bringing together policymakers, copyright experts, collective management professionals, performers, producers, and international organisations committed to strengthening audiovisual performers’ rights across Africa.

The seminar was jointly organized by the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and the Global Audiovisual Alliance (GAVA), in cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Copyright Office of Tanzania (COSOTA).

Building on the success of previous seminars held in Harare (2022), Nairobi (2023), Lusaka (2024), and Kampala (2025), this fifth edition continued efforts to advance the recognition, protection, and collective management of audiovisual performers’ rights across ARIPO Member and Observer States.

To broaden stakeholders’ involvement, organizers this year invited both film producers, represented through the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF), and actors’ unions, represented through the International Federation of Actors (FIA), alongside representatives from copyright offices across the region and delegates from GAVA’s African members. A highlight was WIPO’s live demonstration of WIPO Connect, a rights management system that received strong interest from participants as a valuable tool for collective management organisations throughout the region.

As in previous editions, the seminar concluded with the adoption of a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening the African audiovisual sector. Participants called for continued progress in implementing the Beijing Treaty and the ARIPO Model Law to enhance performers’ remuneration rights, while welcoming legislative advances already underway in several countries. They also recommended the development of a practical toolkit covering distribution best practices, including the processing of usage data and the allocation of revenues at both title and performer level.

Recognizing the differing needs across the region, delegates endorsed a phased approach to capacity building and awareness-raising initiatives. They also agreed on the importance of maintaining regular regional dialogue to monitor progress and share experiences. In response to growing concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on performers and the audiovisual industry, participants recommended commissioning a dedicated study ahead of the 2027 seminar.

Through its continued partnership in organising this important regional forum, GAVA reaffirmed its commitment to empowering performers, supporting effective rights management, and promoting sustainable growth in Africa’s audiovisual sector. By working closely with regional institutions, governments, copyright offices, and industry stakeholders, GAVA continues to help build a stronger and more equitable future for audiovisual performers across the continent.