Spotify, the leading online streaming platform, has released the list of the top five most streamed podcasts in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa for 2024. These rankings highlight the evolving preferences of listeners in Sub-Saharan Africa and underline the growing popularity of podcasts as a medium for storytelling, education, and inspiration across the continent.
Top Podcasts in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa
Spotify’s Sub-Saharan Africa Podcast Manager, Ncebakazi Manzi, shared the rankings in a statement on Thursday. In Nigeria, the spiritual podcast Apostle Femi Lazarus emerged as the most streamed podcast for the year. Other top entries included:
- Apostle Femi Lazarus
- Motivation Daily by Motiversity
- Success Addicted Podcast, featuring voices like Earl Nightingale, Napoleon Hill, and Jim Rohn
- Apostle Joshua Selman
- The HonestBunch Podcast
South Africa’s top podcasts showcased a blend of global and local favorites:
- The Joe Rogan Experience
- The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett
- What Now? With Trevor Noah
- Motivation Daily by Motiversity
- Podcast and Chill with MacG
Kenya’s listeners showed a preference for dynamic local and regional content, with these shows dominating:
- The97sPodcast
- So This Is Love
- The Mkurugenzi Podcast
- Mic Cheque Podcast
- The Sandwich Podcast
The Rise of Podcasting in Africa
Podcasts have become a preferred medium for storytelling across Africa. According to Spotify, nearly four billion minutes of podcast audio were played in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2024. South Africa led with over two billion minutes, while Nigeria followed with 700 million minutes. Kenya also showed significant engagement, reflecting the region’s growing appetite for this form of content.
Manzi emphasized the staying power of podcasting in Africa, noting that creators are using the platform to take control of their narratives. “The numbers don’t lie. Podcasting is here to stay because it lets creators take control of their narratives and tell these stories on their terms while bringing their community along for the journey,” she stated.
Popular Podcast Themes Across the Region
Manzi highlighted that motivational content remains a major draw for listeners in all three countries. Shows focused on managing finances, personal goals, relationships, and health have continued to attract audiences eager for inspiration and self-improvement. Global hits like The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett, Motivation Daily by Motiversity, and The Success Addicted Podcast found resonance among African audiences looking to better their lives.
Spirituality was another dominant theme, particularly in Nigeria and South Africa. Apostle Joshua Selman maintained its top position in Nigeria’s charts for another year, while episodes of Christian Motivation were among the most shared in South Africa.
Nigeria, as the second-largest podcast market in Sub-Saharan Africa, also stood out for its production of new content. The country created half of the new shows published in the region during 2024. While spiritual podcasts led in popularity, conversational shows like I Said What I Said and The HonestBunch Podcast continued to gain traction, reflecting a diverse range of listener preferences.
Kenya and South Africa also demonstrated strong interest in conversational and narrative-style podcasts, indicating a shared regional appetite for engaging dialogue and storytelling.
Spotify’s Impact on Africa’s Podcast Landscape
Spotify has played a pivotal role in elevating podcasting across Sub-Saharan Africa, providing creators with a platform to reach broader audiences. The streaming giant’s efforts to localize content and support African creators have been instrumental in the growth of the podcasting culture in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and beyond.
Manzi concluded by emphasizing the personal connection podcasts create, saying, “Podcasts are personal, but trends do exist across the continent’s leading markets and beyond.” The combination of relatable content, motivational themes, and cultural relevance has ensured that podcasting remains a staple in the entertainment and educational routines of African listeners.
Looking Forward
As Africa’s podcasting ecosystem continues to evolve, creators are expected to explore new themes, formats, and technologies to engage their audiences further. With platforms like Spotify leading the charge, the future of podcasting in Sub-Saharan Africa looks promising, offering creators and listeners alike opportunities to connect, learn, and share stories that resonate deeply.
