OkayAfrica: Premier Digital Platform for African News, Music & Culture

For Spotify’s Phiona Okumu, Success Starts with Listening First

Five years after joining Spotify, Phiona Okumu reflects on her path to becoming Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa. She talks to OkayAfrica about her career journey and how she has worked to amplify local music scenes across the continent.

Paula Adhis

April 20, 2026

OkayAfrica: Premier Digital Platform for African News, Music & Culture

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For Spotify’s Phiona Okumu, Success Starts with Listening First

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OkayAfrica: Premier Digital Platform for African News, Music & Culture

FEATURED STORY

For Spotify’s Phiona Okumu, Success Starts with Listening First

RECENT STORIES

Today in Africa — April 22, 2026: U.S. Wants to Resettle 1,100 Afghans in DRC, Report Says UAE-Backed Colombian Mercenaries Helped RSF Take El Fasher

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The African Music You Need to Hear This Week

Global Sound, Local Loss: Africa's Music Money Gap

How Msaki and Jesse Clegg Found Trust in the Middle of Grief

EXCLUSIVE: Mr Eazi and King Promise Live Out Their Boy Band Fantasy

This Artist Waited Years for a Breakout. Then AI Gave Him a Hit.

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How Nollywood Actress Ashionye Raccah Got to Star in the Second Season of ‘Wednesday’ Alongside Jenna Ortega

Burna Boy, Made Kuti, and Bose Ogulu Unite Behind Nigeria’s Creele Studios’ New 3D Animated Short ‘SOPO’

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