African music distribution platform Mdundo has revealed that more than 300,000 artists collectively earned US $1 million in royalties between January and July 2025.
The record-breaking payout underscores Mdundo’s growing role in reshaping revenue opportunities for creators in Africa’s rapidly evolving digital music industry.
The company, which now counts over 39 million monthly active users, credited its expansion across multiple markets for driving earnings growth. Artists benefiting from the payouts are drawn from Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, Tanzania, Ghana, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, and Mozambique.
Payments were facilitated through Cellulant, a leading cross-border payments company, which streamlined disbursements to make earnings faster and more accessible for creators.
Industry analysts say Mdundo’s model differs from many royalty systems that typically concentrate profits among superstar acts. By distributing income to a broader base of emerging and mid-tier artists, the platform provides a more sustainable income stream and helps formalize digital earnings in a sector that has often been informal.
Mdundo has also emphasized a hyperlocal content strategy, curating regional and vernacular music that is often underserved by larger global platforms. This focus has allowed niche artists to gain visibility and build loyal audiences.
Looking ahead, Mdundo aims to raise total royalty payouts to US $1.2 million by 2026. To reach this goal, the company plans to expand its subscription services, deepen partnerships with telecommunications providers, improve payment systems, and grow its Progressive Web App to attract even more users.
Industry observers say the milestone not only validates Mdundo’s business strategy but also highlights a broader shift in Africa’s music economy—where streaming and downloads are proving to be viable sources of income for a diverse pool of creators across the continent.
