In the heart of Addis Ababa, music producers craft beats poised for global charts, while filmmakers lens narratives that capture the very soul of the Ethiopian experience. Across the city, television studios and digital platforms are pioneering a new media landscape, blending local storytelling with international production standards. In Shiromeda, artisans weave vibrant Gamo textiles—a living thread of centuries-old heritage—into modern markets. Nationwide, circus performers, acrobats, and dance troupes rehearse routines that fuse ancient tradition with bold innovation. From software developers and designers to writers and digital creators, Ethiopia’s creative talent is arguably its most renewable and untapped resource.
Yet, a haunting question looms over this brilliance: Will these creators ever receive the compensation they deserve, or will their intellectual labor vanish into the hands of others without credit or payment?
This is the silent crisis of Ethiopia’s creative and cultural economy. It is a sector encompassing music, film, publishing, fashion, software, gaming, circus, dance, crafts, textiles, and media content production—a sector currently standing at a crossroads between systemic exploitation and sustainable prosperity.
Understanding the “Orange Economy”
The creative and cultural economy—often termed the “Orange Economy”—represents the intersection of creativity, knowledge, and cultural heritage. The color orange is traditionally associated with culture and innovation, making it the perfect label for an economy fueled by human ingenuity rather than raw materials. Unlike the traditional “Green Economy” (agriculture) or “Brown Economy” (extractives), the Orange Economy is inexhaustible; it relies on the transformation of ideas into cultural goods and services whose value is protected by Intellectual Property (IP).
Global and Regional Perspectives
Worldwide, creative industries account for roughly 4.73% of global GDP, outperforming traditional sectors like mining and hospitality. Nations that aggressively protect IP rights reap the rewards: In 2024, the UK’s creative sector contributed £115.9 billion to its economy, while South Korea’s strategic investment in K-pop and gaming generated $14.5 billion in exports in 2023.
Across Africa, the shift from viewing culture as “entertainment” to viewing it as “industry” is yielding transformative results:
Kenya: By mid-2025, Kenya’s creative sector is projected to contribute 10% to its national GDP, expanding 60% faster than conventional industries.
Nigeria: Nollywood generates over $600 million annually and is the country’s second-largest employer after agriculture.
Botswana: Copyright-based industries contribute 5.46% to its GDP, proving that even in smaller economies, creativity is a heavy-hitter.
Morocco: Strategic investment in cinema infrastructure saw international film production revenue reach 1.5 billion dirhams in 2024.
Ethiopia’s Cultural Assets as Economic Engines
Ethiopia’s potential extends far beyond modern media. Our traditional crafts—like the iconic Gamo woven fabrics—preserve identity and generate vital income when protected and marketed correctly. Performing arts, including circus troupes and contemporary dance, bring cultural experiences to global audiences.
Furthermore, media companies producing original series and documentaries drive urban employment and nurture a sophisticated workforce. When we protect our IP, we are not just protecting “art”—we are protecting a multibillion-birr industry that can reduce reliance on imported media and support community development in both rural and urban areas.
The Piracy Deficit: A Drain on Sovereignty
Despite this potential, Ethiopia is suffering from a “Copyright Deficit.” Experts estimate an annual loss of 23.8 billion birr due to piracy and lackluster IP enforcement. This is money being siphoned away from creators, artisans, and public revenues.
To be sure, enforcing copyright in a developing economy is complex. Critics often argue that enforcement could limit access to content for low-income citizens. However, IP protection is not about restricting access; it is about ensuring the person who planted the crop is the one who harvests the grain. Without it, the “soil” of our creative industry becomes exhausted.
In the absence of a functional royalty and IP ecosystem:
Creators and Performers struggle to achieve sustainable livelihoods.
Artisans cannot monetize designs or safeguard traditional patterns.
Media Companies face the theft of original series, destroying the incentive for future investment.
Local Platforms are undercut by illegal copies, stalling the growth of a domestic digital economy.
Beyond Enforcement: The Need for Legal Alternatives
Copyright infringement and Piracy flourishes where legal access is difficult. Ethiopia must pair enforcement with the development of affordable, local digital platforms. We need an ecosystem where a citizen can easily and legally stream a local film or buy a song for a fair price. By making legal consumption easier than piracy, we provide a sustainable revenue stream for our creators.
Momentum for Change
Fortunately, significant initiatives are making an impact:
EIPA (Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority): Coordinates registration, awareness, and anti-piracy measures with law enforcement.
Selam Ethiopia (SIPRE Project) & UNESCO: Educates creators on IP and advocates for the inclusion of culture in national economic planning.
Ethiopian Media Council (EMC): Campaigns for responsible content consumption and works to curb the unauthorized distribution of TV series and films.
Collective Management Organizations (CMOs): Essential for the transparent and fair collection and distribution of royalties.
Partners Against Piracy (PAP) & Private Sector: Initiatives by players like MultiChoice that provide monitoring, enforcement support, and international best practices.
What Ethiopia Must Do Next
Strengthen EIPA: Provide the scale and resources for rigorous enforcement of creative and cultural works.
Empower CMOs: Ensure transparent royalty collection across all sectors, including performing arts and media.
Develop Public-Private Partnerships: Model anti-piracy efforts on successful collaborations like PAP.
Expand Legal Access: Incentivize affordable local platforms for music, film, and original media content.
Policy Integration: Embed IP and cultural heritage into development policy, linking the Orange Economy to employment and export goals.
The Choice Before Us
Every pirated song, illegally shared dance performance, or reproduced Gamo textile pattern represents a lost job and a diminished future. Conversely, every royalty paid and every copyright protected strengthens Ethiopia’s economy.
Ethiopia’s creative and cultural economy is renewable, globally relevant, and capable of driving sustainable growth. Protecting it is more than a legal duty—it is an economic, cultural, and national imperative.
Respect creativity. Protect originality. Preserve culture. Build Ethiopia’s future.