Lagos, Nigeria — 11 August 2026

Hafrikplay, the Pan-African music streaming and creator monetisation platform, has launched its airtime-based subscription service through MTN Nigeria’s Value Added Services ecosystem.

The launch enables MTN Nigeria customers to subscribe to Hafrikplay directly from their mobile phones and pay using their airtime balance. With daily, weekly and monthly plans available, listeners can access African music without requiring a bank card or navigating a complicated payment process.

For Hafrikplay, this is more than the introduction of a new payment option. It represents a major milestone in the company’s journey and an important step towards building a more accessible, inclusive and sustainable digital music economy in Nigeria.

Music access built around local realities

African music has become one of the continent’s most influential cultural exports. African artists are reaching global audiences, shaping international popular culture, filling major venues and creating new commercial opportunities across the global music industry.

However, many listeners across Africa still face barriers to accessing paid digital music services. These challenges are not caused by a lack of interest in music. They are often connected to affordability, limited access to bank cards and subscription systems that do not fully reflect how people make everyday payments.

Mobile airtime is already familiar and widely accessible to millions of Nigerians. By integrating airtime billing into its subscription journey, Hafrikplay is reducing the distance between discovering music and becoming a paying listener.

The service gives customers greater flexibility through three subscription options:

• Hafrikplay Pro Daily — ₦100

• Hafrikplay Pro Weekly — ₦250

• Hafrikplay Pro Monthly — ₦500

The subscription fee is deducted directly from the customer’s MTN airtime balance, making the process simple, convenient and locally relevant.

How MTN Nigeria customers can subscribe

Customers can subscribe directly by dialling the USSD code for their preferred Hafrikplay plan from an MTN Nigeria line:

• Hafrikplay Pro Daily — ₦100: Dial *480*1063#
• Hafrikplay Pro Weekly — ₦250: Dial *480*1068#
• Hafrikplay Pro Monthly — ₦500: Dial *480*1069#

After dialling the relevant code, customers should follow the on-screen prompt to confirm their subscription. The applicable fee will be deducted from their airtime balance, so customers should ensure they have sufficient airtime before subscribing.

Hafrikplay is also available through its mobile applications on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

A significant step for Nigeria’s streaming culture

The growth of music streaming has transformed how songs are released, discovered and shared. It has also created opportunities for independent artists to reach listeners without relying entirely on traditional distribution and promotional systems. However, a sustainable streaming culture must include more local listeners in the economic journey of the music they enjoy.

When it becomes easier for Nigerians to pay for music, the value extends beyond the listening experience. A larger paying audience can create stronger opportunities for artists, songwriters, producers, labels and rights holders to reach new listeners, understand their audiences and earn from their creative work.

Hafrikplay believes the continued success of African music should not depend solely on international consumption. It must also be supported by stronger participation at home—through accessible platforms, locally relevant payment systems and better pathways connecting creators with African audiences.

The airtime-subscription launch is designed to contribute to that future.

Building a stronger market for African creators

Speaking about the milestone, Omobosola Karimat Alaka, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hafrikplay, said:

“African music is loved around the world, but many of the people closest to its culture still face barriers to accessing it digitally. The challenge is not a lack of interest. In many cases, it is about affordability, convenience and having payment systems that reflect how people already live.

“By allowing listeners to subscribe with airtime, we are bringing African music closer to everyday people while opening a larger market for creators to be heard and earn from their work.

“This is a proud milestone for Hafrikplay, but it also represents something bigger. It shows what becomes possible when technology is designed around African realities. We are building towards an Africa where our creativity is not only celebrated globally, but also supported by strong and accessible infrastructure here at home.”

Abolaji Talib Alaka, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Hafrikplay, added:

“For millions of Africans, the mobile phone is the primary gateway to entertainment, information and economic opportunity. Making Hafrikplay accessible through airtime significantly reduces the friction between discovering music and becoming a paying listener.

“We are building a scalable ecosystem in which greater access for listeners can translate into meaningful growth for artists, labels, rights holders and other participants across the music industry. This launch brings us closer to that goal.”

Olisa Adibua, Board Member at Hafrikplay, said:

“African music has demonstrated its cultural and commercial value on the global stage. Our next responsibility is to ensure that the infrastructure supporting the music develops at the same pace.

“Building stronger local consumption and monetisation systems is essential if African creators are to develop sustainable careers and retain greater value from the culture they create. Hafrikplay’s airtime-subscription service is a meaningful step in that direction.”

Growing an African-built music ecosystem

Hafrikplay currently serves more than 150,000 users and has onboarded over 50,000 creators across its ecosystem. These milestones reflect the growing demand for African-built platforms that understand the needs of the continent’s creators and audiences.

Beyond streaming, Hafrikplay is developing a connected creator-infrastructure ecosystem that brings together music distribution, audience discovery, creator monetisation, digital commerce and locally relevant payment channels.

Through this infrastructure, the company aims to help artists, labels, curators and rights holders distribute their work, reach wider audiences, understand their performance and develop more sustainable sources of income.

The airtime-subscription launch expands Hafrikplay’s potential audience while demonstrating how mobile and telecommunications infrastructure can help address some of the accessibility and payment challenges affecting Africa’s digital creative economy.

A milestone shared with the Hafrikplay community

Hafrikplay recognises this launch as a collective achievement made possible by its creators, listeners, employees, board members, stakeholders, technology partners and supporters.

Every artist who has trusted the platform with their music and every listener who has discovered a new African sound through Hafrikplay has contributed to this journey.

The company believes this milestone can encourage broader conversations about digital inclusion, local music consumption and the role of African-built technology in creating more sustainable opportunities within the creative economy.

As African music continues its global rise, Hafrikplay remains committed to ensuring that the infrastructure supporting its growth is built with African creators, audiences and market realities at its centre.

Subscribe to Hafrikplay with MTN airtime

MTN Nigeria customers can choose their preferred plan and subscribe directly:

• ₦100 Daily: Dial *480*1063#

• ₦250 Weekly: Dial *480*1068#

• ₦500 Monthly: Dial *480*1069#

No bank card is required. Customers only need an MTN Nigeria line with sufficient airtime.

Hafrikplay — The Home of New African Music.

About Hafrikplay

Hafrikplay is a Pan-African music streaming and creator monetisation platform building infrastructure for Africa’s creative economy.

Through music streaming, digital distribution, audience discovery, monetisation and commerce tools, Hafrikplay helps artists, creators, labels and rights holders connect with audiences and unlock sustainable growth opportunities across Africa and beyond.

Media Enquiries

Hafrikplay Digital Media Limited
Email: info@hafrikplay.com
Website: www.hafrikplay.com