Recorded music revenues in Sub-Saharan Africa hit a historic high of US$110 million (about Sh14.2 billion), breaking past the US$100 million (about Sh12.9 billion) mark for the first time.
The region experienced an impressive growth rate of 22.6%, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), the organization representing the global recording industry.
According to Angela Ndambuki, IFPI’s Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, this achievement reflects a flourishing music market, characterized by substantial advancements in digital revenues, particularly subscription streaming.
“The continued growth in recorded music revenues in Sub-Saharan Africa is a clear testament to the strategic actions the record companies undertake to create opportunities in the region not only for artists but also for fans of recorded music,” Ndambuki noted, while highlighting the transformative power of technology in driving this progress.
“Without a doubt, technology is an important driver of this success. The region must prioritize the improvement in national policies and regulatory environments to attract further investment in the wider recorded music business,” she observed.
The global recorded music industry marked its tenth consecutive year of revenue growth in 2024, with revenues rising by 4.8% to reach $29.6 billion (about Sh 3.824 trillion) according to IFPI’s Global Music Report 2025. IFPI said the consistent growth underlines the resilience and adaptability of the sector, fueled by investments in artist development and the creation of engaging fan experiences.
Victoria Oakley, IFPI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), noted the integral role of music in everyday life and the critical contributions of artists and songwriters in driving industry growth.
“These positive developments don’t happen by accident. They reflect the brilliant creativity, vision, and hard work of artists and songwriters around the globe, powered in part by the work, investment, and passion of record companies,” she remarked.
Oakley stressed the importance of emerging technologies, particularly AI, in shaping the future of the industry. She warned, however, against unauthorized uses of copyrighted music in AI systems, stating, “We must harness the potential of AI to support and amplify human creativity, not to replace it. Policymakers must act to protect music and artistry.”
The Middle East and North Africa emerged as the fastest-growing region, with recorded music revenues increasing by 22.8%. Streaming accounted for nearly all the revenues in the region. Latin America followed closely, with a growth rate of 22.5%, driven by streaming’s prominence as the key revenue source. Brazil and Mexico stood out as the fastest-growing markets within the region.
Europe, the second-largest region globally, recorded a robust growth rate of 8.3%, led by major markets like the UK, Germany, and France. Asia maintained its stature as the largest physical music market, despite slower growth overall. In North America, the USA and Canada combined posted a modest increase of 2.1%, but continued to represent the largest share of global revenues. Australasia saw growth of 6.4%, with New Zealand leading the charge in the region.
