Spotify’s royalty payouts to Nigerian and South African artists soared in 2024, with musicians from the streaming giant’s two largest African markets earning a combined $59 million as global interest in African music continued to rise.
The Swedish company distributed approximately $10 billion in royalties worldwide last year. While Africa represents a relatively small portion of Spotify’s revenue, the continent’s influence in the global music scene has expanded significantly, driven by internationally acclaimed stars such as Nigeria’s Burna Boy and South African singer Tyla.
Spotify revealed that 250 million user-generated playlists now feature at least one Nigerian artist, while 220 million include a South African performer.
“We’re witnessing an exciting shift where more mid-tier and emerging artists are able to make a sustainable living from streaming,” said Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s managing director for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Nigerian artists earned over 58 billion naira ($38 million) in royalties last year, more than doubling their 2023 earnings. South African artists received 400 million rand ($21 million), marking a 54% year-on-year increase.
A significant portion of these earnings came from outside their home markets. Nigerian artists saw a 49% rise in export growth over the past three years, while South African music exports surged by 104%.
The number of Nigerian artists earning at least 10 million naira doubled in 2024 and has tripled since 2022. In South Africa, the number of artists earning between 100,000 and 500,000 rand has doubled over the past three years, signaling the growing global appeal of African music.
