NAIROBI— In a significant boost for Africa’s creative economy, music distribution platform Mdundo has paid out $1 million in royalties to artists across the continent for the first half of 2025. Kenyan musicians emerged as the top earners, collectively receiving approximately $500,000 of the total disbursement.

The announcement was made at an industry event in Nairobi on September 10th, co-hosted by Mdundo and payments technology company Cellulant. The gathering highlighted a growing shift in how African artists monetize their work, moving beyond traditional reliance on live performances and record deals.

For many artists, platforms like Mdundo are solving long-standing challenges such as music piracy, uneven royalty systems, and gaps in digital infrastructure. By providing a transparent and accessible platform, Mdundo is enabling musicians to earn a sustainable income directly from their digital downloads.

Leading the pack of top-earning Kenyan artists on the platform are groups like Wakadinali and solo acts such as Stephen Kasolo and Iyanii. For them, the platform is more than a revenue stream—it’s a career lifeline.

Joseph Nyamweya, known as Joefes from the group Mbuzi Gang, has partnered with Mdundo for nearly six years. “Mdundo is the highest-paying company I’ve worked with,” he stated. “We split earnings on a 50/50 basis, and the process is seamless. It’s not just about payments; it’s about the partnership they’ve built with artists like me.”

The platform is also crucial for emerging artists seeking validation and exposure. Singer and songwriter Doreen Mumbua (The Mumbua) joined Mdundo in early 2024. “They welcomed me warmly and gave my music visibility,” she said. “This June, I received my first payout. For me, every coin counts. It’s a reflection of the long hours, the practice, and the passion I put into my craft.”

This scale of payout is facilitated by strategic partnerships. Victor Wanjihia, Vice President of Payouts at Cellulant, emphasized their five-year collaboration with Mdundo. “Through our secure and reliable platforms, we enable Mdundo to pay artists on time and across borders,” he explained.

In Kenya, a key driver of success has been Mdundo’s collaboration with telecom giant Safaricom, which has provided the network and technology to seamlessly reach millions of users.

Esther Muriuki Kiai, Head of Licensing Operations at Mdundo, reaffirmed the platform’s commitment to fair compensation, noting artists earn 50% of revenue from downloads. She also revealed an ambitious target for the next payout cycle: over $1.2 million to be distributed in January 2026.

Since its founding in Kenya in 2012, Mdundo has grown to over 39 million monthly active users across East and West Africa. CEO Martin Nielsen credits the platform’s comprehensive African music catalog as its strength. “We’ve created a platform where both fans and artists benefit,” he said, underscoring Mdundo’s role in unifying the continent’s fragmented music industry.