This year’s Move Afrika tour made waves as it expanded from East to West Africa, breaking new ground in the music touring circuit for international artists. For the first time ever, Global Citizen’s Move Afrika tour touched down in Lagos, Nigeria, delivering an electrifying night of music and citizen-led advocacy.
Headlined by the EGOT-winning, critically acclaimed, and multi-platinum artist and producer John Legend, the event was a masterclass in blending global star power with homegrown talent. Hosted by the charismatic media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, the night featured show-stopping performances by Nigerian stars Simi and DJ Consequence. The stage was set with creative works from Nigerian designers and artisans, making it a true celebration of local artistry.
John Legend left the sold-out Lagos crowd in awe with a breathtaking headline performance. He delivered soul-stirring renditions of his greatest hits, including “Ordinary People,” “PDA,” “All of Me,” and “Refuge,” where he was joined on stage by Simi for a magical duet. “It’s been too long, I’ve missed you all,” Legend told the crowd. “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.”
One of the night’s most poignant moments came when Legend paid tribute to the legendary Fela Kuti, blending Kuti’s “Water No Get Enemy” with his own “Used to Love You.” Dressed in stunning outfits by Nigerian designers Eleven Sixteen and Orange Culture, with a backstage look by Emmy Kasbit, Legend’s performance was a seamless fusion of international excellence and African creativity. His backing vocalists, styled by local fashion brands Elexiay and Wanni Fuga, further highlighted Move Afrika’s commitment to uplifting African talent.
Simi1-Move Afrika 2025
Nigerian sensation Simi had fans on their feet with her cool moves and sultry voice, owning the Move Afrika stage in style! |Getty Images and Emmanuel Ighogboja for Global Citizen
Crowd1-Move Afrika 2025 Lagos
The energy was electric as fans eagerly captured every magic moment at the Move Afrika Lagos show. | Getty Images and Emmanuel Ighogboja for Global Citizen
John Legend-Move Afrika 2025-Lagos
John Legend lit up the Move Afrika stage in Lagos for the first time, delivering an unforgettable performance that left the audience spellbound. | Getty Images for Global Citizen
Simi2-Move Afrika 2025
Nigerian sensation Simi had fans on their feet with her cool moves and sultry voice, owning the Move Afrika stage in style! |Getty Images and Emmanuel Ighogboja for Global Citizen
Crowd2-Move Afrika 2025-Lagos
The energy was electric as fans eagerly captured every magic moment at the Move Afrika Lagos show. | Getty Images and Emmanuel Ighogboja for Global Citizen
Move Afrika’s Growing Footprint
“Adding a second location to the Move Afrika tour this year is a major step toward establishing a pan-continental music touring circuit that both international and local artists will leverage for years to come,” said Hugh Evans, Co-Founder and CEO of Global Citizen.
“Nigeria has an incredibly rich musical heritage, a well-established entertainment industry, and a cultural influence that resonates globally. We are honored to have added Nigeria to the Move Afrika tour and look forward to returning for years to come.”
Launched in 2023, Move Afrika is a long-term initiative aimed at creating an international music touring circuit across Africa. The program is dedicated to driving economic investment, expanding infrastructure, and building local capacity by creating jobs, offering skills training, and providing youth entrepreneurship opportunities. At the same time, it shines a global spotlight on Africa’s creative talent.
Advocacy for Stronger Healthcare Systems
Global Citizen used Move Afrika 2025 as a platform to drive a citizen-led advocacy campaign focused on strengthening healthcare systems across Africa. Ahead of the concert, attendees participated in pre-show activations, earning free tickets by advocating for increased domestic health financing, prioritizing primary care and sexual and reproductive health rights, boosting global investments in health resilience, and alleviating financial burdens on nations to strengthen public health.
Lagos Takes Center Stage
Move Afrika: Lagos showcased Nigeria’s ability to deliver world-class productions using local talent and resources. With 90% of the crew being Nigerian and over 95% of the production equipment sourced locally, the event underscored Nigeria’s leading role in Africa’s entertainment and creative industries. Local vendors like Sole Empire, Pro Audio Nigeria, ITMS Limited, Cytech World Communication, and Massive Dynamics played pivotal roles in bringing the event to life.
Stride for HER Rights Maternal Healthcare Walkathon
Before the main event, Global Citizen partnered with the Lagos State Government, the Lagos Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Tourism to host the Stride for HER Rights Maternal Healthcare Walkathon across the iconic Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge. Thousands of Global Citizens, civil society leaders, and government representatives participated, including organizations like Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), and HelpMum.
The walkathon highlighted the urgent need for better maternal and child healthcare services in Nigeria. It amplified the role of community health workers, called for increased healthcare funding, and championed equitable access to maternal and neonatal care. A few lucky participants who completed the walk earned free tickets to Move Afrika: Lagos.
The Music Economy Development Initiative (MEDI)
On February 24, Lagos became the epicenter of policy innovation with the Music Policy Assembly at the John Randle Centre for Yorùbá Culture & History. The center, steeped in the spirit of culture and creativity, provided the perfect backdrop for this groundbreaking summit. Hosted by Global Citizen, International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Universal Music Group, the National Council for Arts & Culture and the Center for Music Ecosystems, the Assembly tackled the staggering gap in Africa’s music economy.
With a focus on intellectual property rights, investment, and infrastructure, the Assembly marked a turning point in reshaping Africa’s music ecosystem into a global powerhouse. The event brought together industry experts, policymakers, and creatives to discuss critical issues like copyright, live music, and industry growth. It also unveiled MEDI’s first position paper, “We Need Tracks Before We Have Trains” co-authored by former Chief Economist of Spotify, Will Page. This initiative is set to unlock Africa’s music industry potential, driving investment, fostering policy reform, and enhancing global collaboration.
A Night of Creativity — Move Afrika: Creator’s Night
Later that evening, the Move Afrika: Creator’s Night, powered by Adidas, brought together some of Nigeria’s brightest creatives for an immersive, high-energy networking experience. The guest list featured top musicians, designers, photographers, and changemakers, including trailblazers like Jomi Marcus-Belo, founder of Waffles & Cream (Waf), Lagos’ first skating brand. As drinks flowed and curated light bites made the rounds, conversations sparked, collaborations were born, and the night buzzed with the electricity of Africa’s creative brilliance. It was a vibrant celebration of innovation, talent, and the boundless potential of Africa’s creative community.
A Movement That’s Just Getting Started
With partners including pgLang, Glenfiddich, and Pepsi, Move Afrika continues to evolve as a groundbreaking force in African entertainment and advocacy. Supported by leading media outlets like Bella Naija, City Radio, Eagle Production, EIB Network, and Vanguard Media, this tour is shaping the future of music, economic growth, and social impact across the continent.
Move Afrika is more than a concert — it’s a movement, and it’s only just beginning.