Spotify has officially expanded its audiobook offering to Nigeria beginning October 14, making its catalogue of more than 350,000 titles directly available to local users alongside the company's existing music and podcast streaming services, which launched in the country in 2021.

The rollout forms part of Spotify's phased expansion of audiobooks to more than 180 markets by the end of 2026, increasing access for readers, authors, and publishers. Spain was among the first markets, launching with Premium audiobook access and more than 45,000 Spanish-language titles. Spotify entered the audiobook segment in 2022, and the expansion places its catalogue alongside established players such as Amazon's Audible, Apple Books, and Google Play Books.

According to the company, the catalogue will exceed 350,000 titles across more than 120 languages, including English, Nigeria's official language, supported by nearly 300 publishers and self-published authors using Spotify for Authors.

Spotify has positioned audiobooks alongside music and podcasts within a single app, emphasising daily engagement, personalisation, and what it describes as "time well spent." At a briefing with journalists, Owen Smith, VP of Audiobooks at Spotify, announced that audiobook listeners increased 39% year over year, while listening hours grew 32% in existing markets.

The user experience includes a dedicated audiobook tab, curated editorial recommendations, personalised recommendations on the Home screen, automatic bookmarking, sleep timers, and Page Match. Audiobooks Plus provides an additional subscription option, and listeners can buy individual titles regardless of whether they use Free, Premium, or Audiobooks Plus.

Eligible Premium subscribers receive 12 audiobook listening hours per month, with unused hours not rolling over. In Nigeria, the Audiobooks+ subscription is priced at ₦2,300 per month.

Beyond expanding consumer choice, Spotify's entry into the local audiobook ecosystem opens up major distribution channels for Nigerian creators in a country of more than 200 million people. Local publishers and self-published authors can now use Spotify for Authors, a dedicated platform that allows creators to upload, manage, and monetise their audiobook content across global markets.

The company plans cross-promotion through podcasts, music surfaces, Home placements, notifications, countdown pages, and Spotify Wrapped. Smith added that Spotify expects catalogue development in African markets to take time and encouraged continued collaboration with local publishing communities.

Market launches will be tailored to local pricing, access models, catalogues, and publishing partnerships. How quickly Nigerian publishers and self-published authors bring titles onto the platform, and how local pricing access models are calibrated, will shape the service's development as the phased rollout continues.