Zdravstvuyte,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
- Nigerian artistes cashed out ₦58 billion on Spotify in 2024
- Kenya’s data watchdog fines digital lender
- Content creators can now earn on Facebook
Nigerian artistes cashed out ₦58 billion on Spotify in 2024
Nigerian musicians raked in over ₦58 billion ($37.5 million) in royalties on Spotify last year, according to the 2024 Loud & Clear report. But compared to the $10 billion Spotify paid out globally, it’s still a tiny fraction.
That said, this payout more than doubled what Nigerian artistes earned in 2023, so things are definitely moving in the right direction.
More artistes are making serious money too. The number of Nigerian musicians earning over ₦10 million in royalties doubled last year, proving that more talents are breaking into the big leagues. Meanwhile, 1,900+ Nigerian artistes got featured on Spotify’s editorial playlists, 33% more than the previous year. And Nigerian music? It was discovered over a billion times by first-time listeners worldwide.
Nigerian songs are everywhere! Around 250 million playlists on Spotify had Nigerian music, with 6 million of them created by Nigerian users alone. Afrobeat and Afropop are still dominating the global scene, and for four years straight, Nigerian artistes have topped the list of 10 most-streamed songs on the platform globally.
The local demand for Nigerian music skyrocketed by 146%, pushing Nigeria to 25th place in global rankings. But that’s not even the craziest part. Local content consumption jumped by 206%, a mind-blowing 782% more than in the last three years combined! And on the global stage, Nigerian music exports saw a 46% growth, with Burna Boy leading the pack as Nigeria’s top music export.
Spotify has been focusing on local engagement, and Nigeria is definitely reaping the benefits. The platform has seen major growth in Nigeria, alongside India, Mexico, and Brazil, proving that the global audience can’t get enough of these sounds.
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At the end of the day, this is just another reminder that Nigerian music is on fire. The world is watching, streaming, and vibing to our sounds, and platforms like Spotify are giving artistes the push they need to shine. Afrobeats isn’t just a trend; it’s a movement.
Kenya’s data watchdog fines digital lender
Kenya’s data watchdog has hit digital lender Whitepath with a KSh 250,000 ($2,000) fine for listing someone as a loan guarantor without their consent.
Well, this isn’t Whitepath’s first rodeo with data privacy violations. In 2023, they got slapped with a KSh 5 million ($38,000) fine for illegally sharing customer data. Looks like they didn’t learn their lesson.
Sidebar: You know, not everyone learns from their mistakes. A good example is Chris, not a friend. Yesterday, we talked about a situation he got himself into, and we laughed about how he didn’t learn from his experience. But Chris, if you’re reading this, I hope you start learning from your experience and others. It’ll save you a lot of stress. And honestly, I’m not just talking to Chris here; I’m talking to you, reader.
Back to the story: In November 2024, Dennis Caleb Owuor got a random call from debt collectors, claiming he was a guarantor for a defaulted loan. The problem? He never signed up for that. Despite his protests, Whitepath kept coming after him. When the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) got involved, the lender didn’t even bother defending itself. So, boom: fine issued.
This shady behaviour isn’t new in Kenya’s digital lending world. Over the years, lenders have been called out for sneaky tactics — grabbing people’s phone contacts without permission, flooding them with spam messages, and even publicly shaming loan defaulters. To clean up the mess, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) introduced strict rules in 2022, forcing all digital lenders to get licensed.
And it’s working. Before the crackdown, Kenya had hundreds of these lenders running wild, most without proper oversight. Now, only 51 licensed ones remain, and the CBK is keeping them in check. They have to follow data protection laws, keep interest rates fair, and stop harassing borrowers.
But let’s be real, some lenders are still playing dirty. Whether it’s misusing customer data or using aggressive debt collection tactics, shady practices haven’t completely disappeared. Cases like Whitepath’s prove that regulators need to stay on their toes to make sure these lenders don’t go back to their old tricks.
Content creators can now earn on Facebook
I wish my Facebook account wasn’t hacked because Facebook just rolled out a new way for creators to make money from their public Stories. If you’re part of Facebook’s Content Monetization programme, you can now earn from the Stories you already post. Basically, if you share snippets of your videos, reels, or even everyday moments to your Story, you could get paid for the views.
Facebook hasn’t shared exact details on how much creators will make, but a spokesperson told TechCrunch that payouts depend on how well your content performs. This move is clearly another way for Facebook to keep creators engaged, especially since they’ve been trying to lure TikTok creators over with cash bonuses and content deals.
If you’re already in the monetisation programme, there’s nothing extra you need to do because Story monetisation is automatically enabled. Facebook originally launched the Content Monetization programme last year, merging its different ad and bonus programmes into one. They tested Story monetisation with a select group of creators, and now it’s open to everyone in the program.
In 2024 alone, Facebook invited millions of creators to join, and they plan to open up enrolment even more this year. If you’re not in yet but want to be, you can express interest through their website and hope for an invite.
Facebook revealed last year that creators made over $2 billion on the platform, with payouts for Reels and short videos growing by 80%. Since introducing monetisation back in 2017, they’ve paid over 4 million creators. Clearly, they’re trying to keep the money flowing to keep people posting.
For creators, this means more ways to cash in on content they’re already making. Whether it’s cooking videos, daily vlogs, or behind-the-scenes clips, Facebook wants to make sure Stories aren’t just about engagement; they’re about getting paid too.
In case you missed them
- How ALX and Nimbus Aid Foundation want to transform women-led businesses with AI
- AI credit scoring can now improve loan financing for female-led startups
What I’m watching
- Understanding Women’s Rights in the Quran: Truth vs. Misconceptions
- How Language Affects Your Mental Health
Opportunities
- Pitch Friday is today, Friday. To attend, apply here.
- Interswitch is hiring a Senior Software Developer. Apply here.
- PalmPay is recruiting a Business Developer. Apply here.
- Standard Bank Group is looking to fill several positions across Africa. Apply here.
- Paystack is hiring for several roles. Apply here.
- Moniepoint is hiring for several roles. Apply here.
- Follow Techpoint Africa’s WhatsApp channel to stay on top of the latest trends and news in the African tech space here.
Have a fun weekend!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
