Kenya’s music scene is cashing in on a wave that’s quietly reshaping how artists earn. In the seven months to July 2025, Kenyan musicians earned $500,000 — roughly Sh64.6 million — from Mdundo, the Nairobi-based streaming and download platform. That accounts for half of the $1 million Mdundo paid across Africa during the period.

The platform, which offers free access to African music while generating revenue from ads, premium subscriptions, and partnerships with telcos, is proving that local artists can turn streams into serious earnings without relying on traditional record sales.

Hip-hop group Wakadinali, gospel singer Stephen Kasolo, and gengetone artist Iyanii topped the Kenyan charts, reflecting both the genre diversity and growing audience appetite for local sounds.

“At the end of the payout cycle, artists take home 50 percent of what Mdundo generates based on downloads,” explained Muriuki Kiai, head of licensing operations. It’s a straightforward model, but one that rewards consistent engagement and taps into the broader push for fair compensation in Africa’s creative economy.

Mdundo credits much of its growth to partnerships with Safaricom, Airtel, MTN, and Vodacom. Payment processor Cellulant also plays a role, enabling smooth, cross-border payouts directly to mobile wallets — a move that removes friction for artists and ensures timely payments.

The platform now boasts 39 million monthly active users, not just in Kenya but across Africa. Artists from Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana, Uganda, Cameroon, Zambia, Rwanda, Malawi, and Mozambique are seeing payouts, reinforcing Mdundo’s pan-African footprint.

Licensing deals with labels like Sol Generation, Chocolate City, and Swangz Avenue have strengthened the platform’s catalog. At the same time, partnerships with brands including East Africa Breweries, Serengeti Breweries, Samsung, and Nivea help drive advertising revenue.

Looking ahead, Mdundo projects royalty payouts could rise to $1.2 million by 2026, with revenues estimated between $1.7 million and $2.2 million. Plans to expand further into Southern Africa and roll out a Progressive Web App (PWA) are expected to sustain momentum, offering artists new ways to connect with listeners while increasing legal streams.

For Kenyan musicians, Mdundo isn’t just a platform — it’s a financial lifeline and a sign of how Africa’s digital music economy is evolving. In a landscape where piracy and informal distribution have long dominated, legal streaming services are quietly turning clicks into cash.