Published December 11, 2025 · The Digital Desk at America Publishers
Spotify Begins Testing Audiobook Streaming in Middle Eastern and African Markets
Spotify has taken a major step in expanding its global audiobook ambitions by introducing a new subscription tier that includes English-language audiobooks in select Middle Eastern and African markets. The company began testing this model on November 18, marking its first audiobook rollout in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. The move signals Spotify’s wider strategy to evolve from a music-first platform into a comprehensive audio ecosystem serving diverse global audiences.
The test is part of Spotify’s broader experiment with tiered subscription options across five markets, including India and Indonesia, though the audiobook component is currently live only in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. Users in these regions can access the new Premium Platinum plan, which offers more than 150,000 English-language audiobook titles. Subscribers receive 12 hours of audiobook listening bundled into their plan and can purchase additional 10-hour top-ups as needed.
According to Duncan Bruce, Spotify’s director of audiobook partnerships and licensing, the initiative is primarily focused on understanding how different price points and tier structures perform in emerging markets. He emphasized that the trial is “more on the business side,” allowing Spotify to learn where the platform can deliver the strongest value to its user base. While the catalog is currently English-only, Spotify has acknowledged active exploration of future expansion into local languages.
Spotify’s decision comes at a time when audiobook listening is growing rapidly around the world. Spotify’s own data shows a 36 percent year-over-year increase in audiobook listening since the service launched, with strong engagement particularly among younger users. In established markets like the United States and Europe, more than half of eligible Premium subscribers have already tried audiobooks through the platform, reflecting rising demand for long-form audio.
The global audiobook market has also experienced significant momentum, with digital audiobook consumption reaching record highs in recent years. As more listeners turn to audio for learning, entertainment, and multitasking, platforms like Spotify are competing to become the preferred home for books in audio format. Entering the Middle East and Africa is a strategic step toward expanding that footprint in regions where audiobook services remain relatively underdeveloped compared to Western markets.
This test also positions Spotify as a direct competitor to audiobook-focused platforms already present in the region, such as Story Tel and Audible. By integrating audiobooks directly into Spotify’s existing app, where many users already stream music and podcasts daily, the company is betting on convenience, seamless discovery, and bundled value to grow adoption.
What Premium Platinum Offers
Beyond audiobooks, the Premium Platinum tier introduces several advanced features aimed at users who want a richer and more customizable audio experience. These include:
- Lossless audio quality
- AI DJ and AI Playlist tools
- Third-party DJ integration
- Advanced mixing tools
With these additions, Spotify is not just offering audiobooks but reshaping what a “premium tier” means within global streaming. By bundling sophisticated creative features alongside reading content, Spotify is testing whether users are willing to pay more for a mixed, high-value audio ecosystem.
The trial in the Middle East and Africa provides Spotify with a unique opportunity to observe purchasing behavior across culturally and economically diverse regions. It also allows the company to refine how audiobook access fits into the broader suite of Premium benefits.
Looking Ahead: Audiobooks and the Future of Spotify
Spotify has made it clear that audiobooks will continue to play a growing role in the platform’s future. For the upcoming year-end Wrapped experience, one of the company’s largest global campaigns, audiobooks will receive an expanded presence. Listeners will see personalized insights into their audiobook habits, while Spotify will also share broader end-of-year listening lists featuring top titles and genres.
Globally, Spotify has been pushing to increase audiobook access in more territories, recently expanding Premium audiobook perks in parts of Europe such as Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Monaco. The introduction of features like AI-generated recap summaries further signals Spotify’s intention to innovate within the audiobook space.
The testing of Premium Platinum with audiobook access in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa marks an important moment for Spotify’s international growth. As interest in long-form audio continues to rise, this expansion signals a pathway for more comprehensive content offerings across emerging markets.
If the trial proves successful, it could accelerate the availability of audiobooks in additional regions and encourage the development of more localized content. For now, Spotify’s latest experiment reflects its long-term commitment to shaping the future of audio, not just through music and podcasts, but through storytelling in all its forms.
Source: Publishers Weekly, “Spotify Tests Audiobooks in Middle Eastern, African Markets,” Nov 26, 2025. Read more at: PublishersWeekly.com.