Consistent income contributes to artists’ success, development of African music industry –Nielsen

Attaining a milestone that underscores its commitment to building a sustainable music ecosystem for African creators, Africa’s leading music distribution platform, Mdundo, continues to reshape the music landscape by empowering artists to distribute, promote, and monetise their work, thus, aiding its growth.

With over 39 million monthly active users across multiple African countries, the platform remains at the forefront of Africa’s digital music revolution.

Reinforcing its commitment to Nigerian musicians, recently, the CEO of Mdundo, Martin Nielsen, said, “our mission is to offer African artists a sustainable platform to grow. By delivering consistent income, we are contributing not just to the success of individual artists but also to the long-term development of the African music industry.”

In January 2025, Mdundo commenced its bi-annual royalty payout season, benefiting hundreds of thousands of rights holders across the continent, including thousands of Nigerian artists. Since launch, more than 300,000 artists have earned royalties through the platform.

A key driver of this growth in Nigeria has been the strong partnerships with MTN Nigeria and Globacom. Through subscription-based services and innovative product integrations, these collaborations have expanded music access for millions of Nigerians while creating meaningful revenue streams for local artists.

Chief Marketing Officer at Mdundo, Sowari Akosionu, emphasised the role of telecom partners: “Our collaborations with MTN Nigeria and Glo have been instrumental in opening up wider access to music and, in turn, boosting artists’ earnings. Together, we’re strengthening the Nigerian music ecosystem.”

Mdundo’s catalog combines international hits with hyper-local Nigerian content, from mainstream Afrobeats to indigenous genres such as Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo music. This localised approach deepens connections with listeners, boosts visibility for regional artists, and generates new income opportunities for rights-holders.

Looking ahead, Mdundo targets royalty distributions of $1.2 million by 2026, supported by projected revenues of $1.7M – $2.2M. Growth will be fueled by expanded subscription services, deeper telco integrations, and the global reach of its Progressive Web App (PWA). With its artist-first focus, Mdundo is paving the way for a more inclusive and profitable future for African music.

Join Our Channels