The African music industry has experienced an unprecedented growth over the past decade, with artistes from the continent achieving remarkable global success, although there have been arguments about the Top 10 Highest Paying Artistes in Africa 2025.
While a lot of factors contributed to this growth, notable among them is the trend of this surge fusing traditional African sounds with contemporary genres, increasing its appeal to the global music market. The existence of digital platforms like Spotify and YouTube have also expanded this appeal.
But then, there have also been numerous artistes leading the pack when it comes to revenue being generated from music.
With the help of metrics such as streaming statistics, social media followings, and performance revenues, bsgistnews was able to do a comprehensive review of their commercial success.
Based on the review, this article gives you the top 10 highest-earning African artists in 2025, while explaining the factors contributing to their impressive earnings.
Let’s get into it!
10. Diamond Platnumz
Nasibu Abdul Juma Issack, popularly known as Diamond Platnumz, has been an important figure in East African music, particularly in his home country of Tanzania.
His unique blend of Bongo Flava, which is a fusion of traditional Tanzanian music, Afrobeat, and hip-hop, has given him immense popularity across the continent. Diamond’s consistent release of hit songs has also kept him relevant in the competitive African music scene.
In terms of streaming, Diamond Platnumz has made significant strides. His YouTube channel boasts over 6 million subscribers, making him one of the most followed African artists on the platform.
His videos have collectively amassed over 1 billion views, reflecting his widespread appeal. On Spotify, Diamond has accumulated over 500 million streams, translating to substantial earnings and highlighting his global reach.
Not only YouTube, he also has over 14 million followers on Instagram and 5 million on X (formerly known as Twitter), platforms he uses to engage with fans and promote his music.
These numbers not only demonstrate his popularity but also enhance his marketability, leading to lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Pepsi and Parimatch.
9. Anaïs Cardot
In recent years, Anaïs Cardot has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the African music scene, particularly after her collaborations with prominent artists like Asake and Wizkid on their albums.
These collaborations have introduced her to a broader audience, enhancing her visibility and appeal. Her unique vocals and ability to blend different musical genres have set her apart in the industry.
Streaming platforms have been instrumental in Anaïs’s rise to fame. Her collaborative tracks have garnered millions of streams on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
For instance, her feature with Asake amassed over 50 million streams within months of its release, significantly boosting her earnings and establishing her as a formidable talent in the industry.
Anaïs’s social media presence has also seen substantial growth. She has over 2 million followers on Instagram, where she actively engages with her fans through live sessions, updates, and interactive content, thereby fostering a loyal fan base and higher streaming numbers.
In terms of live performances, Anaïs has graced several notable stages across Africa and Europe. These performances have not only increased her visibility but also contributed significantly to her income through ticket sales and performance fees.
8. Tems
Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, has experienced a meteoric rise in the music industry. Tems gained international recognition through her collaboration with Wizkid on the hit song “Essence,” which received global acclaim and charted on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as a Grammy win with Future and Drake on “Wait for U.”
Just like the others, streaming platforms have also played a role in Tems’s success. Her solo projects and collaborations have collectively garnered over 700 million streams on Spotify.
Moreover, Tems has over 3 million followers on Instagram and 1.5 million on X, platforms she utilizes to connect with her audience and promote her music.
This strong online presence has attracted endorsement deals with brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Reebok, further boosting her income.
In addition to that, Tems has performed at major music festivals, including Coachella and Afro Nation, where her captivating performances have drawn large crowds. More crowds, more demand, justifying her place on this list of the Top 10 Highest Paying Artistes in Africa 2025.
7. Rema
Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has been a trailblazer in the Afrobeat genre. His innovative sound, blending traditional Afrobeat with elements of trap and pop, has found appeal with a global audience.
Rema’s streaming numbers are off the roof, to say the least. He has gained over 1 billion streams on Spotify alone. His music videos have also enjoyed millions of views on YouTube, further enhancing his revenue streams.
On social media, Rema boasts a substantial following, with over 5 million followers on Instagram and 2 million on X.
6. Tiwa Savage
Tiwatope Savage, widely known as Tiwa Savage, has been a trailblazer in the African music industry, often hailed as the “Queen of Afrobeats.”
Her career, spanning over a decade, has increased her ability to easily blend Afrobeat, R&B, and pop, which in turn has earned her a prominent place in Africa and on international platforms.
Tiwa’s social media presence is equally formidable. With over 15 million followers on Instagram and a substantial following on X, she effectively engages with her fans, sharing insights into her personal life with her son, Jamal. This robust online presence has attracted numerous endorsement deals, further increasing her income.
Tiwa has also graced numerous international stages, including the UK’s Wireless Festival and the Global Citizen Festival, showcasing African music to the world.
5. Asake
The man with the famous tag, “Ololade Mi Asake,” Ahmed Ololade, known professionally as Asake or Mr. Money, has rapidly ascended in the Nigerian music scene with his unique blend of Afrobeat and street-pop sounds.
His catchy melodies and relatable lyrics have endeared him to a broad audience, making him one of the most sought-after artists in recent years.
Asake’s consistency in releasing hit songs has played a pivotal role in his financial success, with his Spotify account having monthly revenues of approximately $451,553.
Tracks like “Peace be unto you” and “Omo Ope” have dominated airwaves and streaming platforms, giving him millions of streams.
His international collaborations has also been outstanding. Asake boasts collaborations with artistes such as Stormzy, Travis Scott, Central Cee, and others.
Most importantly, Asake’s live performances are a testament to his artistry. He has performed at numerous sold-out shows across Nigeria and has begun making inroads into international markets.
His energetic performances and ability to connect with the audience have made him a favorite among concertgoers, contributing significantly to his earnings through ticket sales and live show bookings.
4. Tyla
South African singer Tyla has emerged as a formidable force in the African music industry. Her unique sound, blending Afro-pop with elements of R&B, has resonated with audiences both locally and internationally.
Tyla’s rise to fame has been marked by strategic releases and a strong digital presence.
Tyla’s earnings from digital platforms are impressive, with her Spotify earnings alone bringing monthly revenues of approximately $607,804, making her one of the top-earning African artists on the platform.
She also leads the pack among African artists on YouTube, with appearances on Livestreams with Kai Cenat and others, earning an incredible $3.1 million annually, equivalent to approximately Tsh. 7.1 billion. This milestone cements her place as a rising force in the global music scene.
Tyla actively engages with her fans on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where her creative content and interactive sessions have garnered a substantial following.
3. Davido
One of the famous Nigerian Big 3, David Adedeji Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has been a dominant force in African music for over a decade.
His fusion of traditional African rhythms with contemporary sounds has earned him a massive following worldwide, as well as the ability to effortlessly create masterful collaborations with artistes from other countries.
In terms of streaming, Davido has achieved remarkable success. His discography has billions of streams across platforms like Spotify and YouTube, reflecting his widespread appeal.
Davido’s social media presence is equally formidable. With over 20 million followers on Instagram and a substantial following on X, he is always pushing his contents by himself, as well as with help from his cult-like fan base, called 30BG.
2. Wizkid
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, known professionally as Wizkid, has been at the forefront of the Afrobeat movement, propelling African music to global heights.
His innovative sound and collaborations with international artists have cemented his status as one of Africa’s most influential musicians, ably earning him the title of Big Wiz.
Wizkid’s streaming statistics are unparalleled. He has emerged as Africa’s highest-earning artist on Spotify, with monthly earnings of $1 million.
Wizkid’s Spotify streams reached an astounding 8 billion, making him the most streamed African artist on the platform.
This achievement translates to monthly earnings of approximately $1 million from Spotify, positioning him as Africa’s highest-earning artist on the platform.
His recent project, “Morayo,” marked a triumphant return after a brief hiatus, satisfying fans’ anticipation and contributing to a surge in streaming numbers. Wizkid’s social media influence is equally impressive, boasting 18.4 million followers on Instagram and 13.4 million on X.
1. Burna Boy
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has solidified his position as one of Africa’s most influential and highest-earning artists.
On Spotify, Burna Boy secured the second spot among African artists with 7.5 billion streams, narrowly missing out on the top position. These impressive streaming figures translate into substantial earnings, with reports indicating monthly revenues of approximately $782,148 from Spotify alone.
Burna Boy’s consistency in releasing stellar music has been a significant factor in his financial success.
His albums, such as “African Giant” and “Twice as Tall,” have received critical acclaim and commercial success, with the latter earning him a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album in 2021.
His recent single, “Higher,” was nominated for Best African Music Performance at the 67th Grammy Awards, reflecting a continued relevance in the global music scene.
In addition to his musical achievements, Burna Boy’s personal life has attracted media attention. His relationship with American singer Chloe Bailey became public in late 2024, with the couple spotted together in Nigeria. However, recent controversies, including allegations from Nigerian socialite Sophia Egbueje regarding an unfulfilled promise of a luxury car, have led to Chloe unfollowing Burna Boy on Instagram, indicating potential strains in their relationship. All these have led to more publicity for him, for as the saying goes, there’s no such thing as bad publicity.
Final Words
The process of selecting the top 10 highest paying artistes in Africa 2025 was no easy task, given the vast number of talented musicians dominating the industry.
While this list highlights ten of the most commercially successful musicians, there are many more artists making significant strides, ranging from Sarkodie, Black Sheriff, BNXN, Kizz Daniel, Omah Lay, Nasty C, to mention but a few.
If you feel there is an artist that should have been included or have insights on others making waves in the industry, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
