In what is perhaps the clearest indication yet of Afrobeats’ unstoppable global rise, Nigerian artists earned over ₦58 billion in royalties from Spotify in 2024, more than double their 2023 earnings and five times higher than in 2022. The figures, revealed in Spotify’s Loud & Clear report, express the financial boom driven by Nigeria’s music exports, as audiences worldwide continue to embrace the country’s signature sounds.

“We remain committed to empowering Nigerian artists to earn from their art whilst maintaining transparency with artists and stakeholders,” says Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s Sub-Saharan Africa Managing Director. “The incredible growth of Nigerian music, both locally and globally, is a testament to the talent and creativity within Nigeria, and we are proud to support its continued rise.”

Key Financial Highlights from the 2024 Report:

— Nigerian artists were discovered by first-time listeners over 1 billion times on Spotify in 2024.

— More than 1,900 Nigerian artists were added to Spotify editorial playlists—33% more than in 2023.

— A significant portion of the ₦58 billion in royalties earned by Nigerian artists came from listeners outside Nigeria.

The report shows the meteoric commercial ascent of Nigerian music, revealing that the number of Nigerian artists generating at least ₦10 million in royalties from Spotify has more than doubled since last year and tripled since 2022. The numbers don’t just reflect regional dominance, Spotify confirms that a significant share of these royalties came from international listeners, emphasizing the global demand for Nigerian artists.

Beyond revenue, Loud & Clear provides staggering insight into Nigerian music’s cultural footprint. In 2024, Nigerian artists were discovered over 1 billion times by first-time listeners on the platform. More than 1,900 Nigerian artists landed on Spotify’s editorial playlists, a 33% increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, global users spent over 1.1 million hours streaming Nigerian music, with 250 million user-generated playlists featuring Nigerian artists.

The report also shows that the reach of Naija’s sound is expanding at an exponential rate. Local consumption of Nigerian music has surged 206% year-over-year, while global exports have grown 49% in the last three years.

The genre’s trajectory feels unstoppable, a movement fueled by both established superstars and a new generation of breakout talent:

— Global listeners on average  spend over 1.1 million hours streaming Nigerian artists.

— Users have created approximately 250 million playlists featuring Nigerian artists worldwide.

— Nigerian artists have seen a 49% export growth over the past three years

— Local consumption of Nigerian content has grown 206% year-over-year, with a remarkable 782% increase over the past three years.

As Afrobeats, alté, and street pop continue to evolve, Spotify’s data suggests this is only the beginning. This record-breaking financial milestone highlights the shining creativity driving Nigeria’s music scene and reaffirms Spotify’s dedication to fostering talent across the region.