Kenyan music distribution startup Mdundo is projecting an unprecedented payout of up to US$1.5 million in royalties to artists for the 2023/24 period, as it continues its bid to empower African musicians and promote fair compensation in the music industry.
Launched in Kenya in 2013, Mdundo has become Africa’s leading pan-African music service, dedicated to providing music easily and legally across Africa. The company listed its shares on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market Denmark in 2020, and subsequently saw a big boost in uptake, with 30.8 million monthly active users listening to music from over 172,000 content providers.
Artists are now set for an unprecedented payout of between US$1.2 million and US$1.5 million in royalties for the 2023/24 period, with around 156,000 artists from Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and Ghana set to benefit.
“Our belief extends beyond mere musical creations; we are dedicated to nurturing the essence of African music. The Artist Royalty Payment Programme at Mdundo is evidence of our pledge to empower artists, ensuring their voices are heard, and their earnings well-deserved,” said Wanjiku Koinange, head of music and licencing at Mdundo.
The company also recently partnered with Kenya’s leading telecommunications company, Safaricom, to introduce a subscription service exclusively to Safaricom customers. Collaborations like this aim to boost the monetisation of music for artists, providing a consistent income stream, and supporting sustainable music careers.
