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Recorded music revenues in Sub-Saharan Africa grew 15.2% in 2025, reaching US$120 million, according to IFPI’s Global Music Report 2026. South Africa remained the largest market in the region, accounting for 78.1% of revenues following growth of 12.9% in 2025.
This performance comes amid global recorded music growth of 6.4%, with worldwide revenues hitting US$31.7 billion, marking the eleventh consecutive year of growth for the industry. Analysts attribute the strong regional performance to the rising global influence of African artists, expanding digital access, and increasing adoption of licensed streaming services.
Paid streaming continues to drive growth, with revenue from subscriptions rising 8.8% and representing 52.4% of global revenues, now serving 837 million users worldwide.
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The report also highlights record companies’ active engagement with generative AI innovation, creating new revenue models while maintaining artist rights. At the same time, the industry is responding to streaming fraud, where artificially inflated plays threaten artist earnings, calling for coordinated action across the streaming ecosystem to protect the value of music.
IFPI officials said the results reflect sustained, structured growth in the African music economy. Angela Ndambuki, IFPI Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, noted that the region’s performance demonstrates “the steady development of a more sustainable music economy” and emphasised the importance of AI innovation being anchored in strong copyright frameworks.
CEO Victoria Oakley added that record company partnerships with AI developers and efforts to combat fraud are critical to ensuring that growth translates into lasting benefits for artists and music communities worldwide.
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