COSOTA, TAA partner to boost music industry

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) and the Copyright Society of Tanzania (COSOTA) have officially entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at ensuring Tanzanian artists receive royalties for the use of their music in public spaces, especially in airports.

This significant announcement was made on Monday as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to bolster the creative sector and create new revenue streams for local artists.

One of the key highlights of the agreement is the commitment to source 80 per cent of the music played in Tanzanian airports from local artists, while the remaining 20 per cent will feature international music.

This initiative is designed to provide Tanzanian artists with greater exposure in high-traffic public areas and to ensure they benefit financially from their work being heard by a wider audience.

During the signing ceremony, the Deputy Minister for Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, Hamis Mwinjuma, expressed his gratitude for the collaboration.

He underscored the vital role of the music industry in contributing to Tanzania’s economy, culture, and tourism.

“Music and the arts are not just cultural expressions; they are key drivers of business, tourism, and national identity. By ensuring that 80 per cent of the music played in our airports is Tanzanian, we are providing our artists with a platform to showcase their talent and receive fair compensation,” he stated.

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The Deputy Minister for Transport, David Kihenjile, commended TAA for being the first institution under the Ministry of Transport to sign such an agreement with COSOTA.

He encouraged other organizations, including the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC), Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA), and TASHICO, to follow in TAA’s footsteps.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our artists, and I urge them to stay innovative and produce quality content that resonates with diverse audiences. The growing demand for Tanzanian music in our airports should inspire all of us to work harder,” Kihenjile added.

The MOU not only aims to provide Tanzanian artists with a fresh avenue for earning royalties through their music in public spaces, particularly in international entry points like airports, but it also places a responsibility on artists to produce high-quality music to meet demand.