Spotify pays out $59m to Nigerian, South African artists

Africa’s music is not just trending, it’s cashing in! Streaming powerhouse Spotify has revealed it paid a record $59 million in royalties to artists from Nigeria and South Africa in 2024, as global demand for Afrobeats and Amapiano continues to skyrocket.

Nigerian stars alone earned over ₦58 billion (about $38 million), more than double the payout from the year before — while South African artists took home 400 million rand ($21 million), up 54% from 2023.

And it’s not just the Burna Boys and Tylas making bank. Spotify says mid-tier and rising talents are now making a living, thanks to growing global exposure. Over 250 million playlists now feature Nigerian acts, while 220 million include South Africans.

Spotify’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, said:

“What we’re seeing is an excellent evolution around more and more mid-tier or up-and-coming artists making a living.”

The export boom is real: Nigerian music exports jumped 49% over the past three years, and South African exports surged by 104%.

As the beats go global, so do the paychecks — and the future of African music is looking richer than ever.