The UAE Ministry of Economy has granted its second collective music management licence to Music Nation, authorising the organisation to manage and distribute music rights on behalf of creators and performers and enforce compliance across music platforms nationwide.
The licence was issued under Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 concerning copyright and related rights.
The move follows the Ministry’s first collective management licence, issued to the Emirates Music Rights Association in April 2025, and is part of the UAE’s broader strategy to develop its intellectual property infrastructure and regulatory environment for creative industries.
Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, said the Ministry aims to align its copyright framework with international standards through strengthened legal structures, investment incentives, and collective management systems. He added that the government is targeting increased private-sector participation in cultural industries under the National Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries 2031.\
Dubai hosts more than 350 live music venues, and the UAE’s music streaming market generated $841.9 million in 2024, with projections to reach $2.3 billion by 2030. The Ministry is working with industry stakeholders and legal experts to raise awareness and improve the adoption of collective rights licensing frameworks.
Music Nation, which will now oversee licensing, revenue distribution, and rights enforcement on behalf of artists and rights holders, is supported by partnerships with BMI and SoundExchange. The organisation will use digital systems to manage royalty collection and distribution.
Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairwoman of Music Nation, said the licence marks the culmination of multi-year planning to establish a structured rights management body that serves local and international rights holders operating in the UAE.
The Ministry stated that the issuance of collective licences will continue as part of efforts to formalise the country’s creative economy and improve revenue protections for artists and producers.
