Nigeria and South Africa’s music industries hit new heights in 2024, earning a combined $58 million in royalties from Spotify alone, according to the streaming giant’s latest report.
Spotify, in a statement released on Thursday, revealed that African music genres—particularly Nigeria’s Afrobeats and South Africa’s Amapiano—have seen “extraordinary growth across Sub-Saharan Africa’s music industries,” with both nations producing globally recognised stars and raking in unprecedented earnings.
Royalties paid to Nigerian artists more than doubled compared to the previous year, soaring to M58 billion (approximately $37.8 million), while South African artists generated 400 million Rand ($20.9 million).
“Nigerian and South African artists achieved record-breaking earnings and global reach,” the report noted.
The success was largely fuelled by the continued international rise of artists like Nigeria’s Burna Boy and Ayra Starr from Nigeria, as well as South Africa’s Grammy Award-winning singer Tyla. Together, they have helped push Afrobeats and Amapiano into mainstream global recognition.
Spotify highlighted that “music from both countries achieved unprecedented international reach,” with each reaching over one billion first-time listeners on the platform in 2024.
However, the growth wasn’t only international. Spotify also pointed to a significant increase in domestic streaming: “Royalties for music performed in indigenous languages have skyrocketed,” the platform added, indicating a deepening appreciation for homegrown content within both countries.
The cultural crossover between Nigeria and South Africa continues to thrive as artists collaborate and blend genres, while also competing on the global stage for accolades such as the Grammy Awards.
Since its launch in 2008, Spotify has grown into the world’s largest audio streaming service, now boasting over 640 million monthly active users globally.
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