Ugandan music star Eddy Kenzo is making headlines again — this time for his powerful message at the AFRIMA 2025 Music Conference held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking at the African Union headquarters, Kenzo urged African artists and stakeholders to take charge of their music distribution by building African-owned streaming platforms. He emphasized that while African music is trending globally, the profits and platforms remain largely in foreign hands. “Africa is full of talent, rhythms, and soul,” he said. “But we must own the tools that share our stories.”
The conference, themed “Music Beyond Borders,” brought together some of the biggest names on the continent — including 2Baba from Nigeria, Makhadzi from South Africa, Stonebwoy from Ghana, Nikita Kering from Kenya, and Bien Mekonnen from Ethiopia. Topics ranged from monetization to policy-making in the creative industry.
Kenzo’s message struck a chord with many: the future of African music depends not just on its sound, but on who controls the systems behind it. His call is a reminder that real independence in music means owning the platforms, not just topping the charts.