Strengthening Performers’ Rights in Africa: GAVA organizes the 4th African Regional Seminar on Copyright and Related Rights in the Audiovisual Sector

The 4th African Regional Seminar on Copyright and Related Rights in the Audiovisual Sector was held in Kampala, Uganda, on September 10 and 11, 2025. The event was jointly organized by the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and the Global Audiovisual Alliance (GAVA), in cooperation with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).

This fourth edition built upon the progress made during the 2024 Lusaka Seminar, continuing efforts to promote the recognition, protection, and collective management of the audiovisual performers’ rights across African countries, particularly among ARIPO Member and Observer States.

Representatives from copyright offices of twelve countries in the region, along with delegates from all African GAVA members, participated in the Seminar. In addition to reviewing ongoing national initiatives aimed at establishing effective protection frameworks for audiovisual performers, the event fostered an exchange of experiences and best practices. A key highlight was the presentation of the ARIPO Toolkit on Tariff Setting Principles and Guidelines, designed to assist in the fair and transparent establishment of remuneration systems for performers.

As in previous editions, the Seminar concluded with the adoption of a set of recommendations aimed at further strengthening the audiovisual sector in Africa. These included reinforcing regional cooperation, advancing fair payment for audiovisual performers, supporting the establishment and capacity building of audiovisual collective management organizations (CMOs), and enhancing governance and transparency within the sector. Participants also reaffirmed their commitment to implementing WIPO treaties and addressing new challenges in the digital and AI-driven environment.

Through its co-organization of the Seminar, GAVA once again reaffirmed its long-term commitment to empowering African performers and advancing equitable growth in the audiovisual industry. By engaging with regional partners, policy-makers, and copyright offices, GAVA continues to contribute to building a more inclusive and sustainable future for performers across the continent.