For many Malawian artists, turning talent into income has always been a dream filled with challenges. Whether you’re a poet in Zomba, a painter in Mzuzu, a musician in Blantyre, or a filmmaker in Lilongwe, the journey to earning a decent living from your creative work can feel like climbing a mountain barefoot. But the good news? COSOMA—the Copyright Society of Malawi—is working hard to change that.
With the establishment of the Copyright Fund and COSOMA’s ongoing efforts in copyright management, Malawian creatives now have real opportunities to turn their passion into income. This blog post explains how you can make money through COSOMA as an artist in Malawi.
1. Understanding COSOMA and What It Does
COSOMA is a government body responsible for administering and enforcing copyright laws in Malawi. But beyond just being a watchdog for creative works, COSOMA also acts as a Collective Management Organization (CMO)—collecting royalties on behalf of artists and distributing them fairly.
So if you produce original content—like songs, books, films, paintings, or performances—COSOMA helps you get paid when people use or consume your work.
2. Register Your Work: The First Step to Earning
To benefit from COSOMA, the very first step is registration. When you register your creative work:
- You get formal recognition as the rightful creator.
- COSOMA can track the usage of your work on radio, TV, online, or public events.
- You become eligible to receive royalties when your work is used.
How to register your work:
- Visit the nearest COSOMA office or go to their website.
- Fill out a copyright registration form.
- Submit copies of your work (e.g., an audio file, manuscript, script, photo, etc.).
- Pay a small registration fee.
Once registered, COSOMA adds your work to their database and begins monitoring it for public use.
3. Earning Royalties: Passive Income for Artists.
Macelba and Driemo
Royalty payments are one of the easiest and most sustainable ways to earn through COSOMA. These are payments made to you whenever your work is:
- Played on radio or television
- Performed in public (e.g., concerts or events)
- Streamed or downloaded online
- Used by institutions, hotels, shops, or even minibus operators
COSOMA collects fees from broadcasters, event organizers, and businesses, then distributes those funds to registered artists.
Real-Life Example:
If you’re a musician and your song gets played on MBC or Zodiak, COSOMA can track those plays and send you a payment at the end of the year.
4. Tap into the Copyright Fund for Project Grants
In 2022, COSOMA launched the Copyright Fund, a financial support initiative that awards grants to artists and creative entrepreneurs. This is a game-changer, especially for upcoming talents who lack the funds to take their ideas to the next level.
The fund supports:
- Music and film production
- Poetry and book publishing
- Visual arts and photography
- Arts education and training programs
- Cultural festivals and performances
How to apply:
- Wait for a call for proposals—COSOMA announces these publicly.
- Submit a proposal detailing your project, goals, budget, and expected impact.
- If approved, you’ll receive a grant—not a loan—to support your work.
Some past recipients have received up to K10 million each for their projects. Others have received smaller grants to fund equipment, community workshops, or content production.
5. Attend COSOMA Workshops and Training
COSOMA often organizes workshops and seminars on topics like:
- Copyright education
- Intellectual property rights
- Digital marketing for creatives
- Financial literacy for artists
Attending these can:
- Boost your knowledge
- Improve your chances of securing a grant
- Connect you with other artists and opportunities
- Help you manage your art as a business
In 2024, for example, COSOMA partnered with NICO Group to run a program called Investment School of the Arts, which trained artists in managing money and investing earnings wisely.
6. Partner with Other Artists for Collaborative Projects
COSOMA encourages collaboration, especially for big projects. Teaming up with other artists (e.g., a poet and a filmmaker, or a singer and a visual artist) can increase your chances of getting funding or exposure.
Some COSOMA-funded projects have included:
- Gospel music collaborations with artists from Kenya
- Film and theatre productions focusing on social issues
- Art exhibitions with community outreach goals
Working as a group can help you reach a wider audience and qualify for larger grants.
7. Keep Records and Stay Active
To truly benefit from COSOMA, you need to:
- Keep track of your registered works.
- Regularly inform COSOMA of new projects or releases.
- Report when your work is played, published, or performed (this helps COSOMA collect more accurate royalties).
- Apply for funding opportunities whenever they are available.
8. Don’t Wait—Get Started Today
Many artists in Malawi are sitting on valuable creative content but haven’t registered it or taken the steps needed to monetize it. Don’t let your talent go to waste.
Here’s what to do today:
- List all your creative works.
- Pick 2–3 top ones and register them with COSOMA.
- Follow COSOMA’s social media or website for funding calls.
- Start working on a proposal for your next big idea.
- Network with other artists and join workshops.
Making money through art in Malawi is no longer a distant dream—it’s a growing reality. Thanks to COSOMA’s Copyright Fund, royalty system, and education programs, artists now have real ways to earn a living doing what they love.
So whether you’re a veteran painter or a fresh voice in poetry, COSOMA can be your partner on the journey to artistic success and financial independence. The key is to act—register, participate, apply, and keep creating.
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