Spotify has expanded its audiobook service to Nigeria, giving users access to a catalogue of more than 350,000 titles as the streaming platform moves to broaden its offerings beyond music and podcasts.
The service became available in Nigeria on October 14, 2026, introducing a new listening option for readers and creating additional distribution opportunities for Nigerian publishers and authors.
The expansion forms part of Spotify’s plan to make audiobooks available in more than 180 markets by the end of 2026. The catalogue spans over 120 languages and includes works from nearly 300 publishers and self-published authors using the company’s Spotify for Authors platform.
The company is integrating audiobooks into its existing app, allowing users to discover spoken-word titles alongside their music and podcast content.
Features include a dedicated audiobook section, personalised recommendations, automatic bookmarking across devices, sleep timers and Page Match, which helps listeners move between reading a physical or digital book and listening to its audiobook version.
Access will depend on the subscription option selected by users. Eligible Premium subscribers receive 12 hours of audiobook listening per month, although unused hours do not roll over to the following month.
Nigerian users can also subscribe to Audiobooks Plus for ₦2,300 monthly or purchase individual titles, regardless of whether they use Spotify’s free or paid services.
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At a briefing with journalists, Spotify’s Vice President of Audiobooks, Owen Smith, said audiobook listening had continued to grow in markets where the service was already available.
According to Smith, the number of audiobook listeners increased by 39 per cent year-on-year, while listening hours rose by 32 per cent in existing markets.
Spotify is also seeking to expand opportunities for local content creators through Spotify for Authors, which allows publishers and self-published authors to upload, manage and monetise audiobook content for distribution across global markets.
The development could give Nigerian writers and publishers another route to reach audiences beyond traditional print and e-book formats, although the availability of the wider catalogue does not necessarily mean every Nigerian title will be accessible at launch.
The company said its expansion strategy would be tailored to individual markets, taking into account local pricing, access models, catalogue development and publishing partnerships.
Spotify also plans to promote audiobooks through its existing music and podcast ecosystem, including recommendations on its home screen, notifications, podcasts and its annual Spotify Wrapped feature.
Smith acknowledged that building audiobook catalogues in African markets would take time and encouraged continued collaboration with local publishing communities.
The Nigerian launch adds another content category to Spotify’s existing streaming services and gives local listeners more options for accessing books through digital platforms.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
