Spotify has officially launched its music-streaming service in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), making its platform accessible across 13 countries in Arabic for the first time.
Spotify Arabia Teases Launch
Spotify’s verified MENA Twitter account @SpotifyArabia was quietly created last month, gaining over 8,000 followers without posting a single tweet. Its banner teased: “Spotify is coming soon.”
Platform Now Available in Arabic
The Spotify website and app have now switched to Arabic across the region, following limited invite-only access in four countries—Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan—as first reported by MENAbytes. At the time, access was restricted, but the platform is now live region-wide.
Free Trial & Subscription Model
Similar to its global rollout, Spotify offers a 30-day free trial in MENA, requiring users to input credit card details. After that, subscription pricing is tailored to local currencies—EGP 49.99 in Egypt, for example.
Spotify’s Local Expansion Strategy
Earlier this year, Spotify began hiring for regional roles and quietly opened an office in Dubai, UAE. In September, Gulf News reported that the company was seeking six brands to buy into launch campaigns for $200,000 each.
Regional Competition Heats Up
The timing pits Spotify against regional players like Deezer—which recently entered the MENA market—and Anghami, the Lebanese-born platform with a strong Arabic music catalog. Apple Music is also available in the region.
Global Reach & Future Growth
Spotify’s global footprint spans 65 markets with over 83 million paid subscribers. In 2017, the company earned €4.1 billion in revenue. Yet, it still lacks presence in large regions like India, Russia, and most of Africa.
