When it comes to recognizing musical success in Africa, South Africa and Nigeria are leading the way. These two countries are the only ones on the continent that have established formal music recording certifications to track sales and streaming figures.
In South Africa, the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA) keeps a close eye on the sales and streaming numbers of songs and albums, ensuring artists are recognized for their achievements. In Nigeria, the responsibility falls to TurnTable Charts, which monitors sales across the country.
Let’s break down the certification systems in both countries:
Certifications in South Africa
Gold Song – 20,000 units
Platinum Song – 40,000 units
Gold Album – 25,000 units
Platinum Album – 50,000 units
These numbers reflect the milestones an artist needs to hit to earn certification in South Africa. So, if you’ve ever wondered what it takes for an artist to be recognized with a Gold or Platinum award in South Africa, now you know!
Certifications in Nigeria
Nigeria’s system is a bit different, with higher thresholds for song certifications, but the album thresholds are the same. Here’s the breakdown:
Gold Song – 50,000 units
Platinum Song – 100,000 units
Gold Album – 25,000 units
Platinum Album – 50,000 units
It’s clear that in Nigeria, achieving a Gold or Platinum song is a bigger feat in terms of raw numbers, with the Gold Song certification alone requiring 50,000 units sold or streamed.
