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By 2025, Afrobeats wasn’t just the sound of the moment, it was one of the fastest-growing music economies in the world.

From Lagos to London, Accra to Atlanta, Afrobeats artists filled arenas, dominated streaming charts, and signed endorsement deals once reserved for global pop royalty. While Forbes does not publish a standalone Afrobeats earnings list, industry analysts apply the same methodology used in Forbes’ Highest-Paid Musicians rankings, tracking touring revenue, streaming income, publishing royalties, and brand partnerships, to determine who truly ruled the year financially.

The result is a clear hierarchy of power, influence and money.

Burna Boy

At the top of Afrobeats’ financial food chain in 2025 stood Burna Boy. His ‘No Sign of Weakness’ world tour cut across Africa, Europe, North America, and Australia, selling out arenas and commanding performance fees at historic levels for an African artist.

Beyond the stage, Burna’s catalog continued to rack up billions of streams, while high-end fashion and sportswear partnerships elevated his global brand. Industry estimates place his 2025 earnings between $17 (£12.6) and $18 (£13.3) million, making him the highest-paid Afrobeats artist of the year.

In Forbes terms, Burna Boy’s success mirrors that of elite global touring acts: heavy live revenue, strong catalog ownership, and premium brand alignment.

Wizkid

If Burna Boy won 2025 through scale, Wizkid won through precision.

Rather than relentless touring, the Starboy icon focused on selective, high-value performances — major international festivals, sold-out headline shows, and strategic global appearances. His streaming catalog remained one of the most lucrative in Afrobeats, especially across Africa and Europe.

The result? Estimated earnings of around $17 (£12.6) million, placing Wizkid just inches behind Burna Boy and proving that scarcity, when paired with demand, can be just as profitable as volume.

Davido

Davido’s 2025 was defined by balance. Arena tours in the United States, packed stadium shows across Africa, and one of the strongest endorsement portfolios in the genre made him a consistent top earner.

With income flowing from live performances, merchandise, sponsorships, and streaming, Davido’s estimated $13–14 (£9.6-£10.4) million year reinforced his reputation as one of Afrobeats’ most commercially reliable stars — a true music entrepreneur.

Rema

By 2025, Rema had officially crossed into the global elite tier of Afrobeats. Headlining major festivals in the US and Europe significantly increased his booking fees, while his catalog surpassed the billion-stream mark across platforms.

Fashion and lifestyle endorsements further boosted his income, bringing his estimated annual earnings to around $7 (£5.1) million. At just 25, Rema’s rise signals the future of Afrobeats’ global earning power.

Asake and Tems

The final tier of Afrobeats’ top earners shows just how diverse success in the genre has become.

Asake capitalized on relentless touring, chart-topping releases, and growing independence as an artist. His ability to turn hits into sold-out shows translated into an estimated $6.5 (£4.8) million in earnings for 2025.

Tems, on the other hand, played a different game; fewer performances, higher prestige. Selective global appearances, international collaborations, and luxury brand partnerships earned her approximately $4–5 (£2.9-3.7) million, making her one of the highest-earning female Afrobeats artists worldwide.

In conclusion, Forbes’ global Highest-Paid Musicians of 2025 list was dominated by superstars earning well over $100 (£74) million. They include names like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and The Weeknd.

Afrobeats artists haven’t yet broken into that top global tier. But within Africa and the global diaspora, their earnings growth is among the fastest in the industry.

As artists gain more control over catalogs, tour larger venues, and sign international partnerships, the gap between Afrobeats stars and the world’s highest-paid musicians continues to narrow.

The real question is no longer if an Afrobeats artist will appear on Forbes’ main global rankings, but when.