Spotify is marking five years since its launch in Kenya, celebrating rapid growth that has seen the streaming platform attract 9.5 million users in the country while reshaping how Kenyans discover and consume music.
The Swedish audio streaming giant, founded in 2006 and officially launched globally in 2008, expanded into Kenya in February 2021 as part of a wider push into African markets.
At the time, Spotify rolled out in more than 80 new countries, including several across sub-Saharan Africa, signaling a major shift in its global expansion strategy.
Five years later since its Kenyan debut, Spotify has grown to 9.5 million users locally — a milestone that underscores the country’s fast-growing digital consumption culture and youthful population.
Spotify’s five-year data snapshot reveals that Kenyan listeners gravitate strongly toward global heavyweights and Afrobeats stars.
The most-streamed artists by Kenyans over the period include:
- Drake
- Chris Brown
- Future
- Burna Boy
- Travis Scott
The list highlights Kenya’s blend of hip hop, R&B, and Afrobeats influence, reflecting global listening trends while maintaining strong ties to African sounds.
Afrobeats, in particular, has cemented its place as a dominant genre among Kenyan audiences, consistently topping charts and playlists.
Spotify also shared the most-streamed songs in Kenya during its five-year run. The tracks showcase a mix of West African hits and local Kenyan talent.
Among the top songs are:
- Asiwaju by Ruger
- Rush by Ayra Starr
- Bandana by Asake and Fireboy DML
- Inauma by Bien
- Lonely at the Top by Asake
Since launching in Kenya in 2021, Spotify has rolled out several updates aimed at improving user experience and increasing accessibility.
One of the key integrations for Kenyan users was the introduction of M-Pesa payment options, enabling seamless subscription payments for Spotify Premium without requiring international bank cards.
The platform has also expanded its personalised recommendation engine, introducing features such as ‘Daily Mix,’ ‘Release Radar,’ and the globally popular Spotify Wrapped, which gives users annual insights into their listening habits.
In recent years, Spotify added podcasts and video podcast capabilities, broadening its content offering beyond music.
Kenyan creators have increasingly leveraged the platform to distribute locally produced podcasts, contributing to a growing audio culture.
Additional updates include enhanced offline listening, improved data-saving modes for users on limited internet bundles, and algorithm improvements designed to surface local artists more prominently in curated playlists.
Over the past five years, Spotify has played a central role in the monetisation and global exposure of Kenyan music.
Artists now have access to real-time streaming analytics, global playlist placements and cross-border audiences.
Kenyan songs have increasingly appeared on international editorial playlists, giving local musicians exposure far beyond East Africa.