Spotify launches audiobooks in Kenya with over 350,000 titles

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.