Spotify Paid $59M to Nigerian & South African Artists in 2024

Africa’s music industry is undeniably a global force, and new figures from streaming giant Spotify underscore its rapid economic growth. In 2024 alone, Spotify paid out approximately $59 million (USD) in royalties to artists from just two of its major African markets: Nigeria and South Africa, marking a significant milestone in the monetization of African creativity on the world stage.

While Spotify’s total global royalty payout reached a staggering $10 billion in 2024, the dramatic rise in earnings for African artists signals a powerful shift. This isn’t just about established superstars; it’s about building a viable ecosystem for musicians across the continent, including Kenya’s own vibrant scene.

The numbers paint a vivid picture of growth in Africa’s current streaming powerhouses:

• Nigerian artists earned approximately ₦58 billion ($38 million USD) from Spotify royalties in 2024, more than doubling the amount earned in 2023.
• South African artists received R400 million ($21 million USD), representing a 54% increase year-on-year.

This financial success is fueled by an exploding global appetite for African sounds. Spotify reported that 250 million user-generated playlists worldwide now feature at least one Nigerian artist, while 220 million playlists include South African artists. This deep integration into the listening habits of global audiences is driving significant export growth – Nigeria saw a 49% rise in music export growth over the past three years, while South Africa achieved an impressive 104% increase.

Perhaps most encouraging, especially for emerging artists in markets like Kenya, is the growth beyond the absolute top tier.

“More and more mid-tier or up-and-coming artists are now making a living from music,” stated Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa. “This is no longer just about the top-tier names—it’s about an entire ecosystem thriving.”

The data supports this:

• The number of Nigerian artists earning ₦10 million or more annually from Spotify doubled in 2024 compared to 2023.
• In South Africa, the number of artists earning between R100,000 and R500,000 has doubled in just three years.

While specific payout data for Kenya wasn’t detailed in this report, this trend offers immense encouragement for Kenyan musicians leveraging platforms like Spotify. It demonstrates that streaming can provide a sustainable income stream, empowering creative professionals who previously faced significant barriers.

The platform acts as a crucial bridge, connecting artists directly with global listeners and bypassing traditional gatekeepers. Spotify provides digital infrastructure for music entrepreneurship, offering tools like Spotify for Artists that allow musicians to track their earnings, understand their audience demographics, and monitor engagement in real-time – invaluable data for Kenyan artists looking to grow their reach strategically.