This Year’s Move Afrika Tour Expands from East to West Africa, Pioneering the Music Touring Circuit for International Artists
The Move Afrika tour, an ambitious initiative by Global Citizen, has expanded its reach from East to West Africa, marking a significant milestone in its goal of pioneering a pan-African music touring circuit. This year, the tour added Lagos, Nigeria, to its itinerary, following a successful launch in Kigali, Rwanda. The expansion brings not only world-class entertainment but also economic investments, employment opportunities, and a strong advocacy focus on strengthening healthcare systems across the continent.
Move Afrika: Lagos – A Historic First
For the first time, Move Afrika arrived in Lagos with an unforgettable night of music and advocacy, headlined by EGOT-winning artist John Legend. The event, hosted by renowned media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, featured electrifying performances from Nigerian stars Simi and DJ Consequence.
John Legend delivered a sold-out show, performing classics like “Ordinary People,” “PDA,” “Green Light,” “All of Me,” and “Refuge,” where he was joined on stage by Simi. Expressing his gratitude, Legend said, “It’s been too long, I’ve missed you all. We’re thankful to Global Citizen and Move Afrika for bringing us back here. We belong together, Lagos. I’m so happy we’re together tonight.”
The night was also a showcase of African creative excellence, with Legend and his backing vocalists donning outfits from local designers such as Eleven Sixteen, Orange Culture, Elexiay, Wanni Fuga, and Emmy Kasbit.
Strengthening Africa’s Music Touring Circuit
The addition of Lagos to the Move Afrika tour marks a crucial step in establishing a sustainable music touring circuit for both international and African artists. Global Citizen Co-Founder & CEO Hugh Evans emphasized the importance of this expansion, stating, “Adding a second location to Move Afrika this year is a major step in creating a pan-continental touring circuit. Year after year, we will continue pioneering and pushing our vision towards reality.”
With Nigeria’s deep musical heritage and its globally influential entertainment industry, the inclusion of Lagos strengthens Move Afrika’s impact. Global Citizen has committed to returning to Nigeria for future editions of the tour.
Economic Growth and Employment Opportunities
A key aspect of Move Afrika is its commitment to economic investment and job creation in host cities. Move Afrika: Lagos was produced with 90% local crew and utilized over 95% local equipment, demonstrating Nigeria’s ability to host world-class events. Local vendors who partnered with Global Citizen included Sole Empire, Pro Audio Nigeria, ITMS Limited, Cytech World Communication, Equally Diverse Solutions Ltd., and many more.
Similarly, in Kigali, Rwanda, Move Afrika increased its local crew participation from 75% in 2023 to 90% this year. Rwandan artisans, including members of the Nyamirambo Women’s Center, contributed creative elements such as the traditional Agaseke peace baskets used in the set design.
Driving Action for Stronger Healthcare Systems
Beyond music, Move Afrika serves as a platform for citizen-led advocacy. This year’s tour focused on strengthening healthcare systems across Africa, urging governments to increase health funding and prioritize primary care and reproductive health services.
In Lagos, Global Citizen partnered with the Lagos State Government and Ministry of Health to host the Stride for HER Rights Maternal Healthcare Walkathon, which saw thousands of participants advocating for improved maternal and child healthcare services. Those who completed the walk earned tickets to Move Afrika: Lagos.
Meanwhile, in Kigali, Global Citizen collaborated with the Ministry of Health and other organizations to host the Together for a Healthier Community initiative. The event featured a mobile health clinic providing free reproductive healthcare services and community education.
Launching the Music Economy Development Initiative (MEDI)
Move Afrika: Lagos also marked the launch of the Music Economy Development Initiative (MEDI), aimed at unlocking Africa’s music industry potential. MEDI will serve as a hub for research, data analysis, and policy advocacy, fostering investment and industry growth.
The initiative debuted at the inaugural Music Policy Assembly in Lagos, where experts discussed key industry challenges, including copyright, live music, and investment. Former Spotify Chief Economist Will Page co-authored MEDI’s first position paper, “We Need Tracks Before We Have Trains.”
Looking Ahead
The 2025 edition of Move Afrika will build on Global Citizen’s past efforts, including the 2023 Move Afrika: Rwanda headlined by Kendrick Lamar, the 2018 Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 featuring Beyoncé and Jay-Z, and Global Citizen Live: Lagos in 2021.
With continued support from partners such as pgLang, Glenfiddich, and Pepsi, along with top African media outlets, Move Afrika is poised to transform the continent’s music landscape, foster economic development, and drive meaningful social change.
