Global Citizen has announced the return of ‘Move Afrika’ — the first-of-its-kind pan-African music touring circuit — with EGOT-winning artist and producer John Legend headlining the next edition.
The announcement, made on Tuesday, December 17, revealed that the tour will expand in 2025, with Nigeria joining Rwanda as host countries.
The tour will kick off with Move Afrika: Kigali at the BK Arena on February 21, 2025, before heading to Move Afrika: Lagos at The Palms on February 25, 2025.
Organized by Global Citizen, Move Afrika aims to drive economic investment, job creation, and entrepreneurial growth in Africa’s creative economies through a series of annual live music events. By engaging local artists, vendors, and crews, the initiative supports skill development while delivering world-class entertainment.
“I’m honored and excited to perform in Kigali and Lagos as part of the Move Afrika tour – an initiative that not only brings unforgettable shows but also creates entrepreneurship and job opportunities, empowering young people to engage with Africa’s growing music and creative industries,” said John Legend. “Africa has always been a global cultural powerhouse, and it’s an honor to be part of the future of live music on the continent.”
The Move Afrika tour is set to expand further over the next five years, with new countries added annually to its growing circuit. The 2025 edition will also drive a citizen-led advocacy campaign, focusing on sustainable development and economic growth while emphasizing the need to strengthen health systems across Africa.
“We’re thrilled to have John Legend, our longtime Global Citizen Ambassador and friend, headline Move Afrika as we expand the tour from Rwanda to Nigeria,” said Hugh Evans, Co-Founder & CEO of Global Citizen. “As Move Afrika grows year over year, our goal is to equip and inspire Africa’s dynamic, young population to participate in the live music and creative industries, while investing in its future with lasting infrastructure that will mean the continent no longer needs to be excluded from the international touring circuit.”
“Global Citizen and Move Afrika‘s return to Rwanda in February 2025 underscores our shared commitment to showcasing Africa’s creative talent and leveraging the global entertainment industry to address the continent’s development priorities,” said Francis Gatare, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board.
“Together, we aim to position Rwanda as an entertainment hub that benefits all African countries, including by creating youth-focused employment and income-generating opportunities.”
Through partnerships, Global Citizen will call on African nations to increase domestic health financing, prioritize primary care and sexual and reproductive health rights, and boost investments in health resilience.
The campaign will also advocate for alleviating financial pressures on countries to build more robust public health systems.
A limited number of tickets for Move Afrika: Kigali and Move Afrika: Lagos are available now at www.moveafrika.org. Additional details, including how fans can earn free tickets by taking action with Global Citizen, will be announced in the coming weeks.
The first Move Afrika event, Move Afrika: Rwanda, held in Kigali in December 2023, was headlined by Grammy Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning artist Kendrick Lamar and prioritized job creation, skill training, and youth entrepreneurship along the way.
The event employed more than 1,000 Rwandans and engaged 75 percent local crew and production staff. Hailed by many as the most successful live music event ever staged in Rwanda, the show also featured performances by Zuchu, Bruce Melodie, DJ TOXXYK, Sherrie Silver, Ariel Wayz, Kivumbi King, and Bruce the 1st.
The 2025 edition of Move Afrika will build on Global Citizen’s successful campaigns and events across Africa.
These include Move Afrika: Rwanda, Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2018, which featured performances by Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Ed Sheeran, Usher, Eddie Vedder, and Chris Martin of Coldplay; Global Citizen Live: Lagos in 2021, where Davido, Femi Kuti, and Tiwa Savage performed at Fela Kuti’s New Afrika Shrine; and Global Citizen Festival: Accra in 2022, which brought Usher, SZA, Stormzy, and TEMS to Black Star Square.
