NIGERIAN musicians pocketed an impressive $37.5 million in royalties from Spotify in 2024, according to the platform’s latest Loud & Clear report. While this figure represents a fraction of the $10bn Spotify paid to artists worldwide, it marks a major milestone for Nigeria’s booming music industry.
Spotify’s data shows that payments to Nigerian artists more than doubled compared to 2023. This remarkable growth highlights a surge in global demand for Afrobeats and Afropop, two genres that have propelled Nigeria to the forefront of the international music scene.
More Nigerian artists join the million-dollar club
The number of Nigerian musicians earning over $10,000 in Spotify royalties doubled last year. This growth demonstrates the increasing commercial success of Nigerian artists as they break into the global mainstream.
Additionally, over 1,900 Nigerian artists were featured on Spotify’s editorial playlists in 2024—a 33 percent increase compared to the previous year. These playlists play a vital role in introducing Nigerian music to new audiences worldwide.
Nigerian music tops millions of playlists
Nigerian tracks now feature on over 250 million playlists globally. Six million of these playlists were created by Nigerian users, showcasing strong domestic support for local music. Afrobeats and Afropop continue to dominate global streaming charts, with Nigerian artists holding top positions for four consecutive years among Spotify’s most-streamed songs worldwide.
Local and global demand hits record highs
Local demand for Nigerian music soared by 146 percent in 2024, moving Nigeria to 25th place in Spotify’s global streaming rankings. Even more striking, local content consumption jumped by 206 percent over the past year—an increase of 782 percent compared to the combined growth of the previous three years.
On the global stage, Nigerian music exports expanded by 46 percent. Burna Boy remains Nigeria’s top music export, leading the charge as one of the country’s most streamed and celebrated artists internationally.
Spotify’s strategy pays off in Nigeria
Spotify’s focus on local engagement is clearly paying off. Nigeria has emerged as one of Spotify’s fastest-growing markets, alongside India, Mexico, and Brazil. By investing in local talent and content curation, the platform has helped nurture Nigeria’s vibrant music scene and bring it to global audiences.
Afrobeats is here to stay
As Spotify’s Loud & Clear report confirms, Nigerian music is now a global cultural force. The world is streaming, dancing, and connecting with Nigerian sounds more than ever before. Afrobeats is not a fleeting trend—it’s a global movement reshaping the music industry
