John Legend is in the news. When the tour reaches Lagos, move Afrika.
After a great event in Kigali, Rwanda, Global Citizen’s Move Afrika tour will continue in Lagos, Nigeria, on February 25. The Kigali event, which featured EGOT-winning artist John Legend as the main act, featured unique pieces by Rwandan designers and craftspeople in addition to local artists Bwiza and DJ TOXXYK.
Wearing clothing from Kigali-based design firms, John Legend, who was singing in Kigali for the first time, wowed the sold-out audience with hits including Ordinary People and All of Me. Additionally, the first edition of Move Afrika and its creative teams were featured in the documentary Art Behind the Artist, which had its world premiere at the event. The movie emphasized the initiative’s long-term goals, to strengthen Africa’s creative industries by generating opportunities for artists and entrepreneurs across the continent.
Move Afrika, launched in 2023, aims to establish a Pan-African touring circuit for international artists, boosting economic investments, infrastructure, and skill development. This year, 90% of the crew in Kigali were local, up from 75% in 2023. Investments in technical production, security, event rigging, and creative showcases highlighted Rwanda’s growing capabilities in hosting world-class events. Beyond music and entertainment, Move Afrika is leveraging its platform to advocate for stronger healthcare systems across Africa. At pre-show activations in Kigali and Lagos, Global Citizen has been encouraging African governments to increase domestic health financing, prioritize primary healthcare, and invest in health resilience. These campaigns aim to push for systemic improvements in healthcare access and infrastructure.
Thousands of free tickets were distributed to young people, particularly community health advocates and creatives. More than 1,000 Rwandans participated in a health-focused day of action, while the Move Afrika Creative Fellows program selected 15 aspiring filmmakers to attend masterclasses on storytelling, pitching, and filmmaking. One participant received funding to produce a short film on healthcare. With past editions featuring artists like Kendrick Lamar, Davido, and Usher, Move Afrika continues to push boundaries in uniting music, economic growth, and social impact across the continent.
