Johannesburg | April 4, 2025 — African musicians saw a record windfall from Spotify in 2024, with artists from Nigeria and South Africa collectively earning around $59 million in royalties, according to new figures from the audio streaming platform.
Nigerian artists received over 58 billion naira (approximately $38 million), more than double their 2023 earnings. South African acts brought in 400 million rand ($21 million), marking a 54% year-on-year increase. The surge reflects rising global interest in music from both countries, particularly through viral hits and mainstream success abroad.
Spotify, which disbursed $10 billion in royalties globally last year, noted that while Africa is still a small piece of the streaming giant’s overall catalog, the continent’s music is rapidly gaining ground on international charts. Artists like Nigeria’s Burna Boy and South Africa’s Tyla have led the charge, drawing millions of listeners and playlist placements worldwide.
Currently, over 250 million user-generated playlists on Spotify include at least one Nigerian artist, and 220 million feature South African talent.
“We’re seeing a positive shift where more mid-level and emerging artists are now able to make a living through streaming,” said Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s managing director for Sub-Saharan Africa.
The rise in earnings isn’t just domestic. Export growth has played a critical role, with Nigerian artists witnessing a 49% increase in international streams over the past three years. South African artists saw a staggering 104% growth over the same period.
The number of Nigerian artists earning at least 10 million naira annually on the platform has doubled since last year and tripled since 2022. In South Africa, the number of artists earning between 100,000 and 500,000 rand has also doubled over the past three years.
