Sub-Saharan Africa’s music scene is hitting new heights. Recorded music revenues in the region grew by a solid 15.2 per cent in 2025, reaching US$120 million, according to the latest IFPI Global Music Report 2026 seen by Business Today. South Africa remains the crown jewel, contributing 78.1 per cent of this revenue after growing 12.9 per cent last year.
Globally, the music industry is thriving too. Total recorded music revenues grew 6.4 per cent in 2025, reaching a whopping US$31.7 billion.
Paid streaming remains the engine behind this growth, with 837 million subscription users worldwide and revenues from paid streams jumping 8.8 per cent to account for 52.4 per cent of global income.
Angela Ndambuki, Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at IFPI, said the region’s growth reflects more than just numbers.
“Sub-Saharan Africa’s 15.2 per cent growth to US$120 million shows a sustained upward trajectory for our music industry. It’s not just growth; it’s the steady building of a structured and sustainable music economy,” she explained.
Ndambuki also highlighted the importance of AI innovation and the need to protect artists’ rights in the digital age.
Streaming fraud, however, remains a thorn in the industry’s side. Artificially inflated plays are siphoning revenue away from artists, forcing record companies to push for stricter preventive measures.
Victoria Oakley, CEO of IFPI, warned, “Streaming fraud is theft, plain and simple. Platforms, distributors, and aggregators must take decisive action to stop it.”
The report also shows that Sub-Saharan Africa is part of a larger global boom. Latin America led all regions with 17.1% growth, while Asia saw double-digit gains of 10.9per cent driven largely by China’s 20.1 per cent surge. Even Europe and North America experienced steady growth, maintaining their positions as the largest global markets.
The take-home message? African artists are not just making waves locally—they are increasingly influencing global music trends. From the rise of streaming to innovative AI collaborations, the continent is proving that when it comes to music, Africa is definitely on the map.
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