Africa’s music economy: From beats to boom – Music In Africa |

Eight women sit on a stage panel during the Muziki Africa event, with one woman speaking into a microphone. A large event banner is displayed behind them, highlighting discussions on Africa’s music economy.

Streaming has played a defining role in propelling Afrobeats into the global spotlight, establishing it firmly as a leading force in contemporary music. Services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Boomplay have not only introduced African artists to global audiences but also given African artists more control over distribution and data. According to Spotify, global streams of Afrobeats grew by 550% between 2017 and 2023. And it’s not just fans in Lagos or Johannesburg hitting play — in fact, countries like the US and the UK now stream…