Sylvia Duruson
Warner Music Group and Audiomack have significantly broadened their licensing agreement, extending their partnership to 47 additional countries worldwide. The collaboration builds upon their existing arrangement, which previously covered the United States, Canada, Jamaica, and five African nations – Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania.
The expanded territories now include major European markets such as the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Germany, alongside new African regions like Uganda and Zimbabwe. This comprehensive agreement grants Audiomack users access to WMG’s extensive music catalog while providing artists with broader international exposure.
African musicians stand to benefit considerably from this development. The continent’s music streaming landscape has shown remarkable growth, exemplified by Nigeria’s recent 146% increase in music consumption on Spotify in 2024. Currently, approximately 50 million African users engage with music streaming platforms, highlighting the region’s significant digital music presence.
Audiomack’s strategic expansion strengthens its competitive position against other prominent streaming services in Africa, including Boomplay, Spotify, and Apple Music. The platform’s enhanced reach enables it to offer users a more diverse music library while providing artists with expanded revenue opportunities through increased streaming and licensing options.
The partnership reflects broader industry developments in African music distribution. Previously, in 2019, Boomplay established a direct licensing agreement with Warner Music Group, distributing over one million songs across ten African countries. This historical context demonstrates the ongoing evolution of digital music access in Africa.
Audiomack’s commitment to secure payment solutions and broader licensing agreements reinforces its artist-first approach. The platform enables creators to monetize their shared music and podcast content effectively, supporting both established and emerging talent. This expanded agreement particularly benefits African artists, offering them increased visibility and revenue potential across diverse international markets.
The collaboration represents a significant advancement in global music distribution, particularly for African artists seeking worldwide recognition. As streaming platforms continue to drive music discovery and support emerging talent, this partnership creates new opportunities for artists to reach broader audiences and enhance their streaming revenue. The agreement’s scope reflects the growing importance of African markets in the global music industry while facilitating greater cultural exchange through digital platforms.
