Africa’s music industry is rising to global prominence at an accelerating pace, fueled by surging interest in Afrobeats, Amapiano, and other homegrown sounds. New data shows Afrobeats’ global listenership up 28% in 2024, while streaming hours for Nigerian artists exceeded 1.1 million. As this momentum grows, major players like Billboard are deepening their footprint with the launch of Billboard Africa, led by former GQ South Africa editor Nkosiyati Khumalo. Backed by Global Venture Partners, the platform aims to spotlight African talent and build stronger industry infrastructure. With the continent’s creative sector already generating $4.2 billion annually, stakeholders see this expansion as a key step toward elevating African music on the world stage.
Forbes
