YouTube has raised the cost of its Premium subscription plans in Nigeria and South Africa, marking a significant change for users who have enjoyed the ad-free streaming experience at lower regional rates.
In Nigeria, users were notified via email on April 4, 2025, that the individual YouTube Premium plan would now cost ₦1,700 per month, up from ₦1,100—a 54% increase. The family plan saw an even steeper jump, rising over 64% from ₦1,700 to ₦2,800.
“YouTube explained the price hike as a necessary step to maintain and improve the service,” the email stated. “We don’t make these decisions lightly, but this update will allow us to continue to improve YouTube Premium and support the creators and artists you watch on YouTube.”
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South African subscribers aren’t spared either. Starting mid-year, the individual plan will rise to R81.99 per month, while the family plan will go up to R149.99. YouTube Music subscribers in South Africa will now pay R64.99 monthly, up from R59.99.
These changes come as part of a broader pricing strategy by YouTube, which is also adjusting long-standing legacy rates for some U.S. subscribers. Early adopters of its predecessor service, Music Key—launched in 2014—are now seeing their first price increase in over a decade.
A Growing Premium Audience
Despite the price hikes, YouTube Premium continues to gain traction. The platform reached 125 million YouTube Music and Premium subscribers globally, including trials by March 2025, reaching over 100 countries in 80 languages.
Launched globally in 2018 as a rebrand of YouTube Red, YouTube Premium offers an ad-free experience, offline playback, and background streaming. Over the past year, the service has been enhanced with features like cross-device video continuity (across smart TVs, tablets, etc.), a high-quality 1080p HD mode, and access to experimental AI tools for Premium users.
On the music front, the platform introduced features like the Samples tab for quick music discovery, personalized radio stations, and podcast support on YouTube Music.
What This Means for Users
While the updated pricing may sting, YouTube is banking on the added value of its Premium features to justify the change. Still, in price-sensitive markets like Nigeria and South Africa, the reaction from users will likely be mixed—especially with the rising cost of living and growing competition from other streaming services.
