Windhoek, Namibia — The Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music (NASCAM) has officially launched the Planning, Research, Training and Information Centre (PRTIC), an initiative designed to strengthen Namibia’s creative economy through research, digital innovation, copyright education, and policy development.

The initiative is supported by a USD 93,730 grant from the UNESCO International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD) under the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

The project represents one of the most comprehensive international investments in Namibia’s music sector in recent years. Over the next two years, PRTIC will establish a national evidence base for the music industry while introducing modern digital tools that improve access to copyright services, strengthen creators’ rights, and support informed cultural policy.

Strategic Components of the Initiative

1. National Music Sector Mapping: Conducting the first nationwide survey of Namibia’s music industry across all 14 regions to produce a National Music Sector Mapping Report and a Five-Year Strategic Roadmap.

2. The NamMusic Hub: Developing an online platform where creators can register, access copyright information, and improve transparency in rights administration.

3. Copyright Education and Business Development: Delivering regional workshops and awareness campaigns to improve copyright literacy, entrepreneurship, and sustainable income opportunities for creators.

4. National Policy Dialogue: Bringing together government institutions, the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA), industry stakeholders, and civil society to develop evidence-based recommendations supporting the ongoing reform of Namibia’s copyright framework.

Leadership Insights

Acting Chief Executive Officer of NASCAM, Ferdinand Gertze, noted that the project marks an important milestone in the organisation’s commitment to protecting creators and strengthening the country’s cultural industries:

“NASCAM exists to ensure that Namibian music creators receive recognition and fair remuneration for their work. This partnership with UNESCO enables us to build the research, digital infrastructure, and institutional capacity needed to modernise copyright administration and create greater opportunities for artists throughout Namibia.”

Project Manager Leake Ileka emphasized that the initiative places creators at the very centre of Namibia’s cultural development:

“For too long, decisions affecting the music industry have been made without comprehensive national data. PRTIC changes that. Through nationwide research, digital innovation, and practical training, we are building an inclusive ecosystem that equips creators with the tools needed to participate fully in the creative economy. Particular emphasis will be placed on young creators, women, and artists in underrepresented regions.”

Field research and stakeholder engagement activities will commence immediately, followed by regional workshops and the structural layout of the online NamMusic Hub. The insights generated through the project will actively shape future policy development and ensure the long-term sustainability of Namibia’s music industry.