- The service, which became available on October 14, 2026, allows users to discover and listen to books by their favourite authors, with options to purchase individual titles or subscribe to an audiobook listening plan.
Spotify has launched audiobooks in Kenya, giving eligible users access to more than 350,000 titles alongside music and podcasts on the streaming platform.
The service, which
became available on October 14, 2026, allows users to discover and listen to
books by their favourite authors, with options to purchase individual titles or
subscribe to an audiobook listening plan.
Spotify has
introduced an Audiobooks+ plan priced at Ksh.489, offering 15 hours of
audiobook listening per month. Users can also purchase a 10-hour top-up for
Ksh.589 or buy individual titles to keep.
The launch is part
of the company's global expansion of audiobooks from 22 markets to more than
180 by the end of 2026, potentially reaching more than 750 million people
through streaming and purchasing options.
“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 means millions more people can discover
that, and authors and publishers can reach readers they've never been able to
reach before.”
The service is
designed to allow listeners to incorporate books into their daily routines,
including during commutes, breaks and before bedtime.
Features for
audiobook listeners
Spotify's
audiobook service includes several features aimed at making listening more
convenient.
These include Page
Match, which allows users to scan a book's ISBN barcode and use page numbers to
locate the corresponding section in its audiobook version. The feature enables
readers to switch between print, e-books and audio without losing their place.
The platform will
also have a dedicated Audiobooks section where users can browse titles and
receive recommendations based on their interests across music, podcasts and
books.
Other features
include a sleep timer, offline downloads and synchronised listening progress
across supported devices, allowing users to start a book on their phones and
continue listening through a car or speaker.
Opportunities
for Kenyan authors and publishers
Spotify says the
launch will also provide Kenyan authors and publishers with an opportunity to
reach audiences beyond the local market.
Through Spotify
for Authors, local publishers and self-published writers can upload their
audiobooks and make them available to listeners in more than 180 markets.
The platform's
audiobook partnerships are non-exclusive, meaning authors and publishers are
not restricted to distributing their works through Spotify.
Authors will also
have access to insights on their audiences, while the catalogue available in
Kenya is expected to expand as more publishing partners and local writers join
the platform.
Growing global
audiobook market
Spotify's entry
into Kenya comes amid growth in audiobook consumption on the platform.
The company says
monthly audiobook listeners grew by nearly 40 per cent over the past year,
while listening hours increased by more than 30 per cent over the same period.
Its Audiobooks+
service, launched just over a year ago, has also grown to more than one million
subscribers.
To access the
service, users need to update their Spotify application, open the Audiobooks
section or search for a title, select a book and add Audiobooks+ where
applicable.
Spotify noted that
pricing and access arrangements vary by market, with eligible Free and Premium
users in Kenya able to access the new offering under the applicable terms.