STORY: Audio streaming giant Spotify’s royalty payments to artists from Nigeria and South Africa spiked to around $59 million last year as performers rode a wave of growing interest in music from the continent.
The Swedish company paid out some $10 billion in royalties worldwide in 2024.
And while Africa represents only a small part of its offering, interest in African artists has ballooned, buoyed in part by internationally recognized acts like South African singer Tyla and Nigeria’s Burna Boy.
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Around 250 million user-created playlists now feature at least one Nigerian artist, and 220 million contain a South African, Spotify said on Thursday.
Nigerian artists received over $38 million in royalties last year, more than double from 2023.
Royalties for South African performers reached $21 million, up 54% year-on-year.
Much of the interest comes from outside their home markets.
Nigerian artists saw a 49% increase in export growth over the past three years while South Africa saw export growth of 104%.
The number of Nigerian artists earning over $6,500 doubled year-on year and has tripled since 2022.
In South Africa, the number of those earning between $5,000 and $26,000 doubled over the past three years.