Spotify Rolls Out Audiobooks in Kenya, Expanding Access to Global Book Catalogue

Spotify has launched audiobooks in Kenya, giving eligible Free and Premium users access to a new way of enjoying books alongside music and podcasts on the streaming platform.

The launch is part of Spotify’s global expansion of audiobooks from 22 markets to more than 180 by the end of 2026.

The company plans to make a catalogue of more than 350,000 titles available to more than 750 million people worldwide, who will be able to stream or purchase audiobooks through the platform.

In Kenya, listeners can access Audiobooks+ for KES 489, which provides 15 hours of audiobook listening per month, equivalent to approximately 30 minutes daily. Users can also purchase an additional 10 hours of listening for KES 589 or buy individual titles to keep.

The service is designed to fit into everyday routines, allowing users to listen during commutes, lunch breaks, walks and other moments when reading a physical book may not be convenient.

“Books change how we see the world, and the people in it. For a lot of people, audiobooks are how they find their way back to reading, on the commute, on a walk, or at the end of a long day,” said Owen Smith, Spotify’s Vice President of Audiobooks.

Bringing audiobooks to more than 180 markets, he added, would enable millions more people to discover the format while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences.

New features for listeners

Spotify is introducing several features designed to make audiobooks easier to access and enjoy across different devices.

The Page Match feature allows users to switch between physical books, e-books and audiobooks without losing their place. Listeners can scan a book’s ISBN barcode and use page numbers to locate the corresponding section in the audio version. According to Spotify, more than one million readers have used the feature, which supports more than 30 languages.

A dedicated Audiobooks section within the app will allow users to search for titles, browse available books and receive recommendations informed by their interests across music, podcasts and audiobooks.

The platform will also synchronise listening progress across more than 2,000 supported devices, enabling users to start a book on their phones and continue listening in their cars or on compatible speakers.

Other features include a sleep timer for bedtime listening and offline downloads, allowing users to access audiobooks without an internet connection.

Opportunities for Kenyan authors and publishers

The launch also opens new distribution opportunities for Kenyan writers and publishers seeking to reach audiences beyond the local market.

Through Spotify for Authors, local publishers and self-published authors can upload their audiobooks and make them available to listeners across the platform’s international markets.

Spotify said its audiobook partnerships are non-exclusive, allowing authors and publishers to distribute their work through other channels while accessing the platform’s global audience. Authors will also receive insights into listening activity to help them understand their audiences.

The catalogue available in Kenya is expected to grow as more publishing partners join the platform and local authors upload their work.

Global audiobook business grows

Spotify introduced audiobooks to its Premium offering in 2023 as part of efforts to expand beyond music and podcasts and create a broader platform for readers, authors and publishers.

The company reported that monthly audiobook listeners grew by nearly 40 per cent over the past year, while listening hours increased by more than 30 per cent. Audiobooks+, introduced just over a year ago, has also grown to more than one million subscribers.

The expansion into Kenya forms part of Spotify’s broader strategy to make audiobooks accessible to more people while creating additional opportunities for publishers and authors to distribute their work.

Users can get started by updating their Spotify app, opening the Audiobooks section or searching for a title. Eligible listeners can then select a book and add Audiobooks+ where available.

Subscription management is available through Spotify’s account page, with pricing and access arrangements varying by market.