Showbiz
DMCE Launches Funding Platform for Musicians
By Adedapo Adesanya
Digital Music and Commerce Exchange Limited (DMCE) has partnered with chordCash for the unveiling of a funding platform called Orin Fund for musicians.
Orin Fund is an e-commerce marketplace holding various forms of financial products for artists across Africa.
Its first product which has the name of the fund itself is in partnership with chordCash, an American company that provides a patented technology to help artists get advances on their streaming royalties.
In three simple steps, any African artiste can acquire the funds they need for their project between 7-14 days. Within the next few months, Orin Fund is expanding its products to have other financial solutions to develop artists/labels in Africa without excluding labels/artists exit or raise funds from private investors both locally and internationally.
This innovation by DMCE aims to give artists control over their intellectual property while still providing the funds they need to stay afloat and succeed in the emerging market where funding is a huge challenge.
President of DMCE, Ms Oyinkansola Foza Fawehinmi said, “With the accelerated popularity of African music globally, it is important that we develop our structures locally to support the global expansion of our artists.
“In a continent of 1.4 billion+ people with 70 per cent of its demography under 30, intellectual property is the next gold mine of the continent with music as one of its forerunners, it is important to create a decentralized marketplace for access to funds at whatever career level for an African artiste.”
“I am excited to be working with several partners in creating unique financial solutions for each market. Chordcash has taken an early bet in the market and I am certain of its success,” she said.
Adding his input, the Chief Operating Officer of DMCE, Mr Olayinka Ezekiel said, “At DMCE, our mission is to place African creators at the centre of the entertainment value chain.
“Orin Fund is bolstered by a team with extensive finance, entertainment and media experience. Our new product approach leverages global best practice but is adapted to fit the African context and opportunity,” he added.
Mr Eric Palumbo, Head of Partner Activation & Growth Marketing at chordCash said his company “is honoured to become DMCE’s chosen partner to join their mission in empowering artists across Africa through Orin Fund. Independent African musicians will have access to funding that helps expand their global reach without having to sacrifice ownership of their music or control of their careers.
“Our data-driven funding model combined with DMCE’s expertise in intellectual property will make Orin Fund a powerful new resource available to artists looking to take the next steps in their career growth.”
Founded in 2018, DMCE is an African-focused company that is set to redefine the intellectual property valuation, collateralisation, and general monetisation of the African music space.
The firm is currently established in Ghana, Tanzania, and the USA with Nigeria as the headquarters. Through intellectual property valuation, protection, management, administration— and now funding, it gives every artist the means to thrive and own their craft.
Via Orinfund, DMCE extends this service to artists in all African countries with access to both local and international funding.
DMCE offers catalogue administration services to some of the biggest and most respected artists in Nigeria’s music industry some of which include; K1 De Ultimate, The Estate of Dagrin, Sola Allyson Obaniyi, and Premier Records, The Estate of Chief Sikiru Ayinde Barrister.
The company also see the business management of hyperlocal record labels, such as Remdel Optimum Communications which is affiliated with top gospel artists such as; Tope Alabi, Bola Are, Evangelist Bisi Alawiye, Evangelist Dunni Olanrewaju (aka Opelope Anointing) and Daniel Aregebesola.
DMCE’s new product, Orin Fund, will ensure that artists are covered on all grounds and made aware of their assets and bargaining power. Basically, creating a levelled playing ground for them.
The fight against content theft intensified on Thursday as MultiChoice Nigeria led stakeholders in a Walk Against Piracy from Ikeja City Mall, Lagos, drawing a powerful mix of Nollywood actors, filmmakers, directors, writers, media personalities, regulators, students, and members of the public.
The walk was part of a broader national advocacy campaign aimed at protecting Nigeria’s creative economy from the escalating damage of piracy. Participants marched through the Ikeja axis, distributing flyers, engaging passers-by, and educating the public on the dangers of piracy and its impact on livelihoods.
Veteran actor, Saidi Balogun, one of the leading voices at the walk, described piracy as “a silent killer draining the lifeblood of the creative industry.”
“People see the glamour but forget the sweat, months of work, and the hundreds of jobs behind a single film,” he said. “When you pirate a movie, you are killing someone’s dream, someone’s job, and the future of an entire industry. It must stop.”
Screenwriter and producer, Obi Emelonye, warned that piracy poses an existential threat to the next generation of creatives.
“Piracy is a menace eating deeply into the industry. If we do nothing, young creatives coming behind us will inherit an economy with no structure, no revenue, and no incentive to create,” he stated. “We cannot allow that future.”
The regulatory perspective came from Charles Amudipe, Deputy Director of Operations at the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), who emphasised both the legal and personal risks tied to piracy.
“Piracy is a criminal offence under Nigerian law, punishable by fines and imprisonment,” he said. “Beyond the legal consequences, consumers who download illegal content expose their devices to malware, identity theft, and financial fraud. It is not worth the risk.”
During the outreach, members of the public raised questions about affordability and alternatives to pirated content. The team responded by highlighting accessible, cost-friendly, and legal platforms available to consumers, underscoring that entertainment can be enjoyed responsibly without breaking the law.
Caroline Oghuma, Executive Head, Corporate Affairs at MultiChoice Nigeria, explained that the walk was a continuation of MultiChoice’s long-standing commitments to consumer education. Last month, the company led a school sensitisation programme at Kuramo Senior College in Victoria Island, teaching students how piracy harms creators and how they can unknowingly participate in it.
“We want to catch them young, take this message into communities, and meet Nigerians where they are,” Oghuma said. “Today’s walk is a reminder that protecting intellectual property is everyone’s responsibility. What we are fighting for is the survival of Nigeria’s creative future.”
Other notable participants included members of the Intellectual Property Law Advocacy Network (IPLAN), lawyers, media executives, content creators, and fans of Nigerian entertainment.
MultiChoice Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to working with regulators, industry bodies, and stakeholders to champion policies, education, and enforcement mechanisms that safeguard creative work and ensure creators receive fair reward for their labour.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) has debunked viral news reports that that the chairman of its board of trustees, Mr Olalere Osunpaimo, well known as Lere Paimo, was dead.
In a public notice from the national Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the organisation, Mr Adejonwo Oluwafemi Femson, it was disclosed that the veteran action is “alive and well.”
Members of the public were advised to disregard the death rumour.
“We would like to inform the public that reports circulating on Facebook about the passing of Chief Olalere OsunPaimo (MFR) are FALSE.
“We have confirmed with Baba Eda Onile Ola’s wife that he is alive and in good health.
“Please disregard these false reports and be aware that they are being spread by unscrupulous individuals.
“Chief Olalere OsunPaimo (MFR), Chairman Board of Trustee Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP), is alive and well.
“We urge everyone to verify information before sharing to avoid spreading misinformation,” the notice disclosed.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The duo of Nivea and inDrive has been announced as the title sponsors of TikTok’s 2025 Sub-Saharan Africa Awards, while Coca-Cola, Dis-Chem and PEP Stores are the category sponsors.
As title sponsors, inDrive and NIVEA (Beiersdorf) will play key roles in amplifying creator recognition, supporting event experiences, and on-the ground activations.
NIVEA (Beiersdorf) will sponsor the Creator of the Year award, while inDrive will present the Storyteller of the Year award, both reflecting a shared passion for innovation, inclusivity and celebrating African voices making a global impact.
In addition, Coca-Cola is sponsoring Food Creator of the Year award, Dis-Chem is for the Social Impact Creator of the Year award, and PEP Stores is for the Entertainment Creator of the Year award.
This year’s event is slated for Saturday, December 6. It would be used to celebrate the continent’s most inspiring and innovative creators who are using the platform to educate, entertain, and empower their communities.
“We are delighted to partner with TikTok, as we share a long-standing relationship across the globe, including in the Sub-Saharan region. TikTok is a unique platform that enables us to engage with young audiences in a language and format that truly resonates with them.
“We extend our gratitude to the company for organizing The 2025 TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa and congratulate all guests and participants on this remarkable event,” the Marketing Lead of inDrive Africa, Mikita Ponarin, stated.
“TikTok is proud to partner with great local and regional brands that support Africa’s creative economy. What excites us about these partnerships is the shared vision.
“These brands are making a conscious choice to invest in African creativity at a pivotal moment. They see what we see: that when we uplift creators, we strengthen entire communities and economies across the continent,” the Head of Content Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa,” Boniswa Sidwaba, said.
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