Spotify has announced that artists from Nigeria and South Africa collectively earned nearly $59 million in royalties in 2024, reflecting the rapid global rise of African music on streaming platforms.
The music streaming service revealed the figures in a statement on Thursday, highlighting a major leap in earnings for artists from the continent’s two largest music industries.
Nigerian artists received over 58 billion naira (approximately $38 million), more than twice the amount recorded in 2023. South African artists also saw a significant boost, with royalties jumping 54% to 400 million rand (about $21 million).
This spike in payments comes as African music continues to gain traction internationally, powered by chart-topping stars such as Burna Boy and Tyla, and a growing wave of mid-level and emerging artists breaking into the global music scene.
“African artists are reaching more listeners than ever before, and many are now able to make a decent living through streaming alone,” said Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa. “This isn’t just about the big names—it’s about an entire ecosystem of talent finding its audience.”
Spotify reported that over 250 million user-generated playlists now include at least one Nigerian track, while South African artists appear in more than 220 million playlists worldwide.
In Nigeria, the number of artists earning over 10 million naira annually through Spotify has doubled in the last year and tripled since 2022.
South Africa has experienced similar growth, with the number of musicians earning between 100,000 and 500,000 rand doubling over the past three years.
A significant share of this revenue is driven by audiences outside Africa. International streaming income for Nigerian artists rose by 49% over the past three years, while South African artists recorded a 104% increase in export earnings over the same period.
Spotify says it remains committed to empowering African creators through tools, exposure, and market access that help them grow their careers and expand their global reach.
