Top Countries That Offer High Streaming Payments for Nigerian Artists

Introduction: Streaming Payments

Streaming platforms have created a global market for Nigerian music. Afrobeats, Afro-fusion, and other Nigerian genres now reach audiences in dozens of countries. But not all streams are equal. Depending on the country, the payout per stream can vary significantly. For Nigerian artists, knowing which countries offer the highest streaming revenue can help shape their marketing, touring, and distribution strategies.

In this article, we’ll explore the top countries that offer the highest streaming payments and why they are important for Nigerian musicians looking to grow their income and fan base internationally.

1. United States – Highest Payouts and Largest Market

The United States is the world’s largest music streaming market. It also offers one of the highest per-stream payouts on platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, and YouTube Music.

A stream from a U.S. listener is worth significantly more than one from a country with lower ad revenue or fewer premium subscribers. This is due to the high number of paid users, strong advertising budgets, and well-established royalty laws.

Many top Nigerian artists—such as Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Tems—have already tapped into the U.S. market through tours, collaborations, and media appearances. For rising stars, targeting U.S. audiences through social media campaigns, influencer marketing, and playlist placements can lead to greater visibility and better streaming income.

2. United Kingdom – Strong Afrobeats Support and High CPM Rates

The United Kingdom has long been a strong supporter of Nigerian music. The country hosts a large African diaspora and a vibrant Afrobeats scene. Major radio stations, clubs, and streaming platforms regularly feature Nigerian artists.

From a monetization perspective, the UK offers high CPM (cost per thousand views) and per-stream payouts, second only to the U.S. The UK’s high proportion of paid streaming subscribers makes platforms like Spotify and Apple Music especially profitable for artists.

Additionally, the UK is often the first international market where Nigerian artists gain recognition before entering other parts of Europe. Having a fan base in the UK can open doors to brand partnerships, event bookings, and PR opportunities that further boost income.

3. Germany: Streaming Payments – Europe’s Streaming Powerhouse

Germany is the third-largest music market in the world and is known for high streaming payouts. German fans often prefer subscription-based platforms, which increases artist revenue compared to countries that rely more on ad-supported streaming.

Although Nigerian music isn’t as mainstream in Germany as in the UK or U.S., it is growing steadily. Collaborations with German-based Afrobeat DJs or featuring songs on Afro-centric playlists can help Nigerian musicians tap into this high-paying market.

Moreover, platforms like Tidal and Apple Music pay well in Germany due to strong data protection laws and better royalty agreements. German listeners who engage with Nigerian music usually do so through premium channels, making each stream more valuable.

4. Canada: Streaming Payments – Loyal Fanbase and Favorable Streaming Economics

Canada offers a solid streaming market with high per-stream value and a growing interest in African music. It also shares a music industry structure similar to that of the U.S., which means payout rates are among the highest globally.

Toronto, in particular, has a large African and Caribbean community. Nigerian genres are regularly played on urban radio stations and featured on editorial playlists. Canadian fans are known for being loyal and supportive, often attending concerts and buying merchandise.

The strong digital infrastructure and high level of premium music subscribers make Canada a smart target market for Nigerian artists. Promoting songs on Canadian playlists and collaborating with local producers or influencers can improve both reach and income.

5. Australia – Emerging Afrobeats Market with High Stream Value

Australia may not be the first country that comes to mind, but it offers surprisingly high streaming payouts. With a high cost of digital advertising and a wealthy consumer base, platforms like Spotify and Apple Music generate more revenue per user here.

Though the Afrobeats scene is smaller, it is growing quickly, especially in cities like Sydney and Melbourne. Nigerian artists such as Rema and Ayra Starr have started gaining listeners from Australia through TikTok trends and YouTube performances.

For Nigerian musicians looking to expand into new regions, Australia provides a mix of untapped opportunity and strong per-stream payouts, making it a valuable addition to global marketing plans.

6. France : Streaming Payments – Strong Support for African Music

France has a long history of embracing African culture and music, especially in cities like Paris, Marseille, and Lyon. The French streaming audience actively engages with African genres, including Nigerian music.

France ranks high in terms of Spotify Premium subscriptions, and its music consumers are often open to diverse sounds. This translates to better income per stream for international artists compared to other African or Asian countries.

Additionally, France has several festivals and radio stations that promote Afro-inspired content. Getting featured in French media or collaborating with French-speaking African artists can give Nigerian musicians a foothold in this profitable market.

7. The Netherlands – Niche Yet Valuable Audience

The Netherlands offers good streaming rates due to its strong premium user base. Although the Nigerian population is small, Dutch fans have shown increasing interest in Afrobeats, thanks to its danceable rhythms and social media virality.

Events like Afro Nation and Afrobeat festivals in Europe often attract Dutch fans, making them more familiar with Nigerian artists. Targeting Dutch influencers or securing playlist spots in Europe-focused Spotify charts can help boost streams and revenue.

Because the Netherlands has high advertising rates, artists earn more even from ad-supported streams, making it a smart country to include in international outreach campaigns.

8. Norway, Sweden & Denmark – High Revenue but Smaller Audience

These Scandinavian countries have the highest average payout per stream due to their very high number of premium users and strong digital infrastructure. On platforms like Spotify, which originated in Sweden, a single stream from these countries is worth more than streams from most of the world.

The downside is that the audience size is smaller. However, the quality of listeners—meaning their loyalty, spending power, and music engagement—is high. Nigerian artists with global appeal can benefit greatly from including these countries in their streaming and touring strategies.

A well-targeted digital ad campaign or playlist inclusion in Scandinavian charts can yield high monetary returns despite fewer overall listeners.

Why Country-Based Stream Value Matters

The amount an artist earns per stream is influenced by:

• Percentage of premium subscribers in the country

• Local advertising rates

• Platform popularity (e.g., Apple Music vs. YouTube)

• Currency strength and royalty agreements

• Local licensing laws

This means that 10,000 streams in the U.S. or UK can pay more than 100,000 streams in a country with low ad rates or free-user dominance.

For Nigerian artists, understanding this difference is critical. By strategically focusing on countries with high stream value, musicians can improve earnings without necessarily increasing total streams.

How Nigerian Artists Can Target These Countries

To earn more from high-paying countries, Nigerian artists can:

• Submit music to country-specific playlists

• Use social media ads targeting these regions

• Collaborate with local influencers or artists

• Upload content consistently on YouTube and Spotify

• Work with distributors like DistroKid, TuneCore, or Amuse that offer access to global streaming analytics

• Leverage data from tools like Spotify for Artists or YouTube Analytics to track where streams are coming from and double down on high-value markets

Conclusion: Streaming Payments

While streaming has democratized music access, it hasn’t equalized earnings. Nigerian artists who want to maximize income must think beyond just the number of streams—they must consider where those streams come from. Countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Australia not only offer more exposure but also pay more per stream.