The researcher conducted interviews and discussions with participants using Zoom and WhatsApp, gathering insights into how IP is perceived, utilized, and supported within the creative community. The study also examines the impact of geographic locations on artists’ engagement with the local and international music industry.

The findings reveal that there is a lack of understanding and support for intellectual property rights among both creators and those responsible for managing IP. This contributes to a sense of mistrust and caution within the creative ecosystem, with more cautionary tales than success stories. Many practitioners, especially the younger generation, seek greater control over their works and revenue generation.

The project highlights an economic battle within the creative industry, with limited resources and an inferiority complex embedded in the nation’s creativity. The value of arts is often overlooked, and there is a need for better structures in publishing, IP management, royalty collection, and income visibility to benefit all artists, transcending linguistic, economic, ethnic, and gender barriers.

The overall goal is to create a more inclusive and sustainable environment for creative practitioners in Zambia, where IP is better understood and utilized to generate revenue. The project emphasizes the importance of overcoming challenges and working collectively to ensure a prosperous creative ecosystem that benefits artists and the nation as a whole.

The project was supported by the British Council’s Cultural Exchange Programme , which aims to foster collaborations, network building and sharing of artists work between sub Sharan Africa and the UK