Spotify launched in Kenya in February 2021, and it’s now one of the main places Kenyan fans and listeners abroad find new music. Kenyan artists can’t upload to Spotify directly. You release through a distributor, which sends your song to Spotify and pays you the royalties. Here’s the full process, from file to first payout.
Quick answer
- Release through a distributor such as Interfine Music ($12/year, pay with M-Pesa).
- Claim your Spotify for Artists profile once your first song is live or scheduled.
- Pitch each new song to Spotify editors at least 7 days before release.
- Withdraw royalties to M-Pesa once you reach the $50 minimum.
Step 1: Prepare your song
You need a final WAV master, 3000×3000 px cover art and accurate credits. Use the same artist name you’ll use everywhere else, because Spotify links releases to profiles by name. Our release checklist lists everything.
Step 2: Choose a distributor
Look at the yearly cost, the share of royalties you keep, how you’ll be paid and how you can reach support. Interfine Music was built for Kenyan and African artists:
- $12 a year for unlimited releases, payable by M-Pesa or card.
- Payouts to M-Pesa, bank, Payoneer or PayPal.
- Support on WhatsApp at +254 791 393 533.
Step 3: Upload and set your release date
Upload your audio, cover and details, choose Spotify and the other stores, and set a release date at least 2–3 weeks away. Interfine reviews releases within 72 hours to a week before delivering them.
Step 4: Claim Spotify for Artists
Spotify for Artists is Spotify’s free app for musicians. It lets you update your profile picture and bio, see who’s listening, and pitch new music to editors. Once your music is on Spotify (or scheduled), search for your artist profile in Spotify for Artists and request access.
Step 5: Pitch to Spotify editors
In Spotify for Artists you can pitch one unreleased song to Spotify’s editors. Spotify asks for pitches at least 7 days before release. Pitching on time also gets your song into your followers’ Release Radar playlists. Read our guide to Spotify playlist pitching.
Step 6: Promote and get paid
Share your Spotify link everywhere on release day, and keep posting TikTok and Instagram clips of the song. Royalties come in through your distributor. On Interfine you can withdraw to M-Pesa once your balance reaches $50.
Spotify pays per stream at varying rates, depending on where listeners are and whether they pay for a subscription. Focus on building real listeners rather than chasing a per-stream figure, and never buy fake streams.
The short version
Ready to release your music?
Interfine Music delivers your songs to Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay, Audiomack, TikTok and 200+ platforms for $12 a year. Pay by M-Pesa or card, and get support on WhatsApp.
Create your accountWhatsApp +254 791 393 533Frequently asked questions
Is Spotify available in Kenya?
Yes. Spotify launched in Kenya in February 2021 and offers free and Premium plans.
Can I upload my song to Spotify for free from Kenya?
Spotify doesn’t accept uploads from individual artists. You need a distributor.
How do Kenyan artists get paid from Spotify?
Spotify pays your distributor, which pays you. With Interfine you can withdraw to M-Pesa, bank, Payoneer or PayPal once you reach $50.
About the author
Anaya Zawadi is the Content Manager at Interfine Music, the Africa-first music distributor founded in Nairobi in 2024. She writes practical guides that help independent African artists release, protect and earn from their music.
