Spotify unveils subscription rates as it launches in Uganda

Audio streaming giant Spotify announced its launch in Uganda, giving the East African nation access its wide-ranging content platform that includes more than 70 million international and local songs and over 4 billion playlists.

The company, which has more than 345 million monthly active listeners, is also now available in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania. While one can access some of its content at no cost, you can upgrade to Spotify Premium, a subscription service that offers an ad-free music listening experience.

According to a Wednesday news release, listeners can upgrade to Spotify Premium for the ultimate Spotify experience for Shs10,000 per month. The Premium Family plan is available for Shs16,000 for up to 6 family members living under one roof.

To access, Spotify Premium DUO, two people living at the same home address will pay Shs13,000 to access a huge basket of content that includes Duo Mix, a regularly updated playlist made just for the two subscribers to discover audio they both love and enjoy together.

Spotify Premium for Students will cost Shs5,000 per month.

Spotify offers everyday new music, algorithmic recommendations personalized to each listener’s music taste, and the freedom to engage Spotify across a wide range of devices and app integrations with Snapchat, Samsung, Tinder, Google Maps, Nike, and more.

“We are incredibly excited about the opportunity to bring together creators and listeners around the world. As we’ve expanded our international reach over the years, we’ve connected over 8 million artists with listeners across nearly every continent, putting Spotify firmly at the heart of the global audio economy,” said Alex Norström, the chief Freemium business officer of Spotify.

“Launching in these new markets is a key next step to fulfilling our ongoing commitment to building a truly borderless audio ecosystem.”

The expansion of Spotify on the continent offers local creators an opportunity to tap into bigger markets.

“African creators have always pushed boundaries, innovating and creating incredible sounds and starting from today we are giving them access and the opportunity to connect with a global audience of fans. By bringing in a best-in-class product and a localized experience made for Africa, we will contribute to boosting the growth of the local streaming ecosystem,” said Phiona Okumu, Spotify Head of Music Sub-Saharan Africa.

“We hope our new listeners are going to love the revolutionary audio experience we are bringing to the rest of the continent.”

Spotify has uniquely tailored its music experience for Africa, expertly curated and updated regularly with more than 100 playlists across some of the most popular genres in the continent.

Listeners will also have access to Spotify’s Afro genre hub that encompasses a wide range of African music, including AmaPiano Grooves, Afropop, African Heat, Phenomenal Woman.

In addition, RADAR Africa, a playlist uncovering the most exciting artists on the rise from the African continent and diaspora, is part of Spotify’s global emerging artist program.