Tems Becomes Best-Selling Female Artist in Africa with Over 25 Million Units Sold
story written by myra chinonso :
Lagos, Nigeria – July 26, 2025 – Nigerian singer and songwriter Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has officially become the best-selling female artist in Africa, solidifying her status as a global music powerhouse.
According to the latest industry data, Tems has surpassed African music icons such as Angelique Kidjo, Tiwa Savage, and Yemi Alade in total certified music sales, making her the most commercially successful African female artist of all time.
Tems, who broke into the music scene in 2018, has now achieved over 25 million certified units sold worldwide. Her breakout collaborations and solo hits have earned her multiple Platinum and Gold certifications across major global music markets.
Some of her most notable certifications include:
- “Essence” (with Wizkid) – 5x Platinum in the United States (5 million units)
- “Wait For U” (with Future and Drake) – 3x Platinum in the United States (3 million units)
- “Free Mind” – 2x Platinum in the United States (2 million units)
- “Higher” – Platinum in the United States (1 million units)
Tems also boasts multiple certifications in Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Switzerland, Belgium, New Zealand, and South Africa, further highlighting her global appeal and dominance.
While Tems leads the chart among African female artists, Algeria’s Cheb Khaled remains the overall best-selling African artist with 81 million units sold, followed by Nigeria’s Wizkid, who has sold 75 million units.
Tems’ unprecedented success marks a significant milestone not only for her career but also for female representation in the African music industry.
Story written by SpringnewsNG Media Limited.
