Podcasts have cemented their place as one of Africa’s favorite storytelling platforms, with Sub-Saharan Africa recording a staggering four billion minutes of audio consumed in 2024.
From personal growth to shared laughter, the continent’s appetite for podcasting is undeniable.
Shows focusing on personal development—whether it’s managing finances, relationships, or health—remain popular across South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. Podcasts like The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett, Motivation Daily by Motiversity, and The Success Addicted Podcast continue to attract listeners seeking inspiration and actionable advice.
In South Africa and Nigeria, spirituality-themed podcasts are also thriving. Christian Motivation episodes are widely shared in South Africa, while Nigeria’s favorite, Apostle Joshua Selman, remains a go-to for spiritual guidance. With Nigeria contributing 700 million podcast minutes and creating half of all new shows in Sub-Saharan Africa this year, it’s clear that the country’s listeners value both faith and thought-provoking conversations.
In addition to spiritual content, Nigerians and Kenyans are embracing conversation-driven shows like I Said What I Said and The HonestBunch Podcast. These programs reflect a hunger for unfiltered discussions on life, culture, and relationships, resonating with audiences across the continent.
In Kenya, humor dominates the airwaves, making it one of the key drivers of the country’s 400 million podcast minutes in 2024. Shows like The 97s Podcast have soared in popularity, drawing inspiration from globally successful conversational podcasts like ShxtsnGigs, which topped charts in six of the top 10 African podcast markets.
Kenyan listeners particularly enjoy ensemble podcasts that feel like conversations with close friends. Mic Cheque Podcast and The Sandwich Podcast are fan favorites, offering lighthearted humor even when addressing challenging topics.
Relationships are also a major talking point in Kenya. Julia Gaitho’s So This Is Love has captured hearts with its candid interviews, dominating three of the country’s top five most-shared episodes. The podcast explores the highs and lows of love, drawing lessons from personal stories of heartbreak and healing.
Women creators like Murugi Munyi, Sharon Machira, Lydia K.M., and Julia Gaitho have carved a niche in Kenya’s podcasting scene. Their shows, such as The Messy Inbetween and It’s Related, I Promise, blend humor with authenticity, giving listeners a refreshing take on topics that matter most to them.
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South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya emerged as the top podcast markets, with South Africa leading the way, contributing over two billion minutes. To put it into perspective, playing podcasts nonstop on a single device would take approximately 30 centuries to complete.
“Podcasting is here to stay,” says Spotify’s Sub-Saharan Africa Podcast Manager, Ncebakazi Manzi. “It allows creators to take charge of their narratives, share stories on their terms, and engage their communities in meaningful ways.”
Podcasting in Africa is more than just a trend—it’s a movement. From motivational wisdom to gut-busting laughter, podcasts are redefining storytelling on the continent. With creators boldly shaping narratives and audiences connecting more than ever, the African podcast revolution is only just beginning.
TOP STREAMED PODCASTS IN KENYA:
1. The97sPodcast
2. So This Is Love
3. The Mkurugenzi Podcast
4. Mic Cheque Podcast
5. The Sandwich Podcast
