Hichilema Promises to Push Music Monetisation in Zambia — Will Artists Finally Get Paid?
President Hakainde Hichilema has highlighted the importance of monetisation in Zambia’s creative industry, saying the government will work to ensure that artists and other creatives can earn sustainable incomes from their work.
Speaking during the official opening of the 14th National Assembly, Hichilema said Zambia is blessed with talented citizens across music, film, content creation, fashion and other creative sectors. He stressed the need to support the growth, formalisation and sustainability of the creative economy across all 10 provinces.
“Working in partnership with the private sector, we will also facilitate the commercialization, and more importantly, Madam Speaker, monetization of artistic and creative works, including through digital platforms,” the President said.
Hichilema further indicated that the government intends to establish talent identification processes and formalise structures that will help creatives across the country access opportunities, including those available to artists based in Lusaka and the Copperbelt.
He noted that a thriving creative economy has the potential to create jobs, promote self-employment, generate wealth, preserve Zambia’s cultural heritage and empower citizens to build sustainable careers in music, film and the arts.
The remarks highlight the importance of creating more opportunities for Zambian artists to benefit financially from their talent, particularly through digital platforms and partnerships with the private sector.
