Music streaming platform Spotify paid approximately $59 million in royalties to artists from Nigeria and South Africa in 2024, marking a significant increase as African music continues to captivate global audiences. The two nations, which are Spotify’s largest markets in Africa, saw a dramatic rise in payouts, driven by the growing international appeal of Afrobeats, Amapiano, and other African genres.
African Music Goes Global
While Spotify distributed around $10 billion in royalties worldwide last year, Africa still represents a small fraction of its total payouts. However, the continent’s music scene is experiencing explosive growth, fueled by breakout stars like South Africa’s Tyla, whose hit "Water" topped global charts, and Nigeria’s Burna Boy, a Grammy-winning Afrofusion pioneer.
According to Spotify, about 250 million user-generated playlists now include at least one Nigerian artist, while 220 million feature a South African act—a testament to the continent’s expanding influence.
Mid-Tier Artists Thrive
Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, noted that the platform is witnessing a surge in earnings for emerging and mid-tier artists. "More creators are now able to make a sustainable living from their craft," she said.
Nigerian artists earned over ₦58 billion ($38 million) in 2024—more than double the previous year’s figures. Meanwhile, South African performers saw royalties jump to R400 million ($21 million), a 54% year-on-year increase.
International Listeners Drive Growth
A substantial portion of these royalties came from outside Africa. Over the past three years, Nigerian artists saw a 49% increase in international streams, while South African acts experienced an astonishing 104% surge in global demand.
The number of Nigerian artists earning at least ₦10 million (about $6,500) annually doubled compared to 2023 and has tripled since 2022. Similarly, in South Africa, the count of musicians making between R100,000 and R500,000 has doubled in the same period.
The Future of African Music on Streaming Platforms
With African genres gaining traction worldwide, streaming platforms like Spotify are becoming vital revenue sources for artists. As more listeners discover African music, the continent’s creative economy is poised for even greater expansion—transforming local talent into global superstars.