John Legend to Headline Move Afrika Tour, Expanding Music Opportunities Across Africa

Global Citizen is an international advocacy organisation committed to ending extreme poverty. Today, they announced that John Legend, the acclaimed EGOT-winning artist and producer, will headline the next installment of Move Afrika. This innovative music touring circuit is the first of its kind to be headlined by international artists. It aims to foster economic growth. It also promotes job creation across Africa. The 2025 tour will expand from East to West Africa, with Nigeria joining Rwanda as host countries.

Tour Details

The Move Afrika tour will kick off with Move Afrika: Kigali at the BK Arena on 21 February 2025. It will be followed by Move Afrika: Lagos at The Palms on 25 February 2025. This initiative is a long-term commitment. It aims to develop a robust music touring circuit throughout Africa. The focus is on economic investment and entrepreneurship opportunities in each host nation.

Move Afrika is designed not only to entertain. It also addresses significant social inequities. The initiative creates job and entrepreneurship opportunities for Africa’s emerging generations. This is achieved through a series of live music events. These events showcase African talent to a global audience. They aim to drive transformative investments within local communities. They also engage local artists, vendors, and production crews. The initiative emphasises skill development and training, setting a new standard for entertainment touring events in the region. The 2025 edition will lead a citizen-led advocacy campaign. This campaign will focus on sustainable development. It will also emphasize economic growth, particularly in strengthening health systems across Africa. Global Citizen will work with various partners. They aim to encourage African nations to enhance domestic health financing. They also want to prioritise essential health services.

Ticket Information

A limited number of tickets for both Move Afrika: Kigali and Move Afrika: Lagos are available for purchase at moveafrika.org. Further details about the February tour will be shared in the coming weeks. There will be opportunities for earning free tickets through engagement with Global Citizen initiatives.

John Legend expressed his enthusiasm for participating in the tour:

“I’m honoured and excited to perform in Kigali and Lagos as part of the Move Afrika tour. This initiative not only brings unforgettable shows but also creates entrepreneurship and job opportunities. It empowers young people to engage with Africa’s growing music and creative industries.” He emphasised Africa’s cultural significance, stating that it has always been a global cultural powerhouse.

Hugh Evans, Co-Founder & CEO of Global Citizen, remarked:

“We’re thrilled to have John Legend headline Move Afrika as we expand the tour from Rwanda to Nigeria. Our goal is to inspire Africa’s dynamic young population to participate in the live music and creative industries while investing in lasting infrastructure that integrates the continent into the international touring circuit.”

Francis Gatare, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, highlighted the initiative’s potential:

“Together, we aim to position Rwanda as an entertainment hub that benefits all African countries by creating youth-focused employment and income-generating opportunities.”

The inaugural Move Afrika event held in December 2023 was headlined by Kendrick Lamar. It marked a significant achievement by employing over 1,000 Rwandans. The event engaged 75% local crew members. The event was lauded as one of the most successful live music concerts ever staged in Rwanda. As Move Afrika continues to grow, it promises to enhance the cultural landscape of Africa. It also aims to empower its youth through sustainable economic initiatives. Each year will see additional countries joining this ambitious tour circuit over the next five years.