MENA music industry revenue growth heralds the launch of first music streaming chart for the region

10x Industry

Mita Srinivasan
10x Industry
Published:

MENA music industry revenue growth heralds the launch of first music streaming chart for the region

Global Music Report found that the recorded music market revenues in MENA is the fastest-growing region in the world. The figures also show that the market is made up of predominantly streaming which represent 95.3 percent of the region’s revenues. People living in the UAE listen to an average of 22.5 hours of music a week, 22 percent higher than the global average. The study also found that 54 percent of people typically listen to at least one Middle Eastern genre.

IFPI, representing the recording industry worldwide, has announced that music streaming charts are in development for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), including IFPI’s first ever regional chart. The charts, which are expected to launch soon, will be the first for music in the area and demonstrate the industry interest in the thriving music region.

News of the forthcoming regional charts in the MENA follow the release of this year’s Global Music Report, published by IFPI in March, which found that the recorded music market revenues in MENA grew by 35 percent in 2021, confirming it to be the fastest-growing region in the world. The figures also show that the market is made up of predominantly streaming which represent 95.3 percent of the region’s revenues.

The charts are currently being tested in four key countries – Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – alongside a first of its kind regional chart for the MENA region. They will be a result of direct, collaborative partnerships between the industry and the five largest streaming services in MENA – Anghami, Apple, Deezer, Spotify and YouTube.

To accompany the news of the charts and to further demonstrate the industry’s interest in the region, IFPI has also conducted new research which shows that people living in the UAE listen to an average of 22.5 hours of music a week, 22 percent higher than the global average. The study, which explored music engagement by those aged 16-44 in the country, also found that 54 percent of people typically listen to at least one Middle Eastern genre. The music consumer research was conducted by IFPI’s Insight and Analysis team in the UAE in April 2022. The results are based on responses from a nationally representative panel of 1,560 people in the UAE aged 16-44.

IFPI’s Regional Director, Middle East & North Africa, Rawan Al-Dabbas said, “This is an incredibly exciting time for music in the region. The combination of the forthcoming regional charts combined with the industry’s focus and investment in MENA going forward goes to demonstrate the exciting future for music in the region. There are challenges, for example unlicensed music is an issue in the region, and IFPI and our member companies are committed to working with governments here in MENA to tackle this and ensure that licensed music has a secure foundation from which to continue its exciting growth story.”

The research, along with news of the charts, was released at IFPI’s landmark Global Main Board Meeting in Abu Dhabi, marking the very first time that the gathering has been held in the UAE capital. In the attendance of senior executives from IFPI and global major and independent record companies met to discuss the opportunities for the rapidly evolving music market in the MENA.