This week over 40k fans from all around the world gathered on the beach in Portimão, Portugal, for the biggest Afro Nation festival yet, celebrating the sights and sounds of Afrobeats and Amapiano.
Since Afro Nation’s legendary debut event in Portugal 2019, which was attended by 20k people, the festival has more than doubled in size by its third edition this year. In this time, Afro Nation has also expanded across three continents, with Miami and Detroit debuts taking place in North America this year, whilst confirmation that Afro Nation is heading to Nigeria has just been announced. With the incredible rise of so many African artists and new popular African music genres exploding globally in recent years, Afro Nation is at the heart of it all and stands as the biggest event to experience the culture and all these artists performing together in a unifying festival celebration.
A momentous three-day festival kicked off on the stunning Praia Da Rocha beach on Wednesday 28th June. The first night was fittingly headlined by the one and only Burna Boy, after the African Giant delivered such an extraordinary closing set to last year’s festival. Riding high off the release of R&B hit ‘Sittin’ On Top of The World’, the song epitomises everything about Burna’s victory lap of a performance and saw the artist cementing this year’s song of the summer yet again, after owning 2022 with ‘Last Last’. With so much variety on the main stage, the sun shone down on so many artists who are also undeniably at the top of their game, from chart-topping French-Malian pop singer Aya Nakamura, to Jamaican dancehall legend Popcaan. Elsewhere so much new talent was breaking through, with energetic artists proving their worth on Afro Nation’s giant main stage, including Ayra Starr, Burna Boy’s sister Nissi and Portuguese singer Soraia Ramos.
“It brings us so much joy to see so many people coming together to celebrate our culture with us, in what now feels like our home of Portimão. Portugal 2023 was another dream realised, and we can’t wait to see how much the movement will have grown by the time we return again in 2024. The love and unity shared by all is what makes this festival so special to so many, and what drives us to create the best experiences we can for our people. We want to thank everyone for sharing this with us, and we welcome you all back to the beach next summer!”
Afro Nation co-founder Adesegun Adeosun Jnr aka SMADE
Day two on the beach was crowned by Afrobeats Starboy Wizkid, who had the whole crowd dancing after highly acclaimed UK rapper Little Simz delivered a set packed with her passionate bars and captivating flow. Thursday was also host to one of the standout moments of the whole festival, Asake. Entering the stage on a bike, the spontaneous performer later took flight from the runway and danced in the crowd with his adoring fans – just one of those Afro Nation moments that will be talked about for years to come. More highlights came from artists representing nations from around the world, like Nigerian Afro-fusion singer BNXN, Cameroonian-French songwriter Tayc, Ghana’s soul trap highlife innovator Black Sherif, London’s Ms Banks and South Africa’s Tyla.
The final day on the main stage was similarly stacked with a powerful array of headline worthy acts. Davido closed the show on a high note, after the huge productions and party starting sets from hip hop titans 50 Cent and Booba, who both went down a storm and injected a new vibe for such a diverse and wide reaching festival. Fireboy DML held nothing back as he shut down the main stage with mega hit ‘Peru’ after fans were treated to a set from Kenyan Afropop legends Sauti Sol, and local favourite Nelson Freitas who warmed everyone up in the 30+ degrees heat in Portimão.
Immaculate vibes keep everyone dancing all day and night on the new look Piano People stage, with the adored and addictive sounds of Amapiano ringing out across the golden sands from Wednesday through Friday. DJ Maphorisa whipped up the crowd into a frenzy after sensational sets from Focalistic, DBN Gogo, Daliwonga, Tyler ICU, Pabi Cooper and more on Wednesday. Major League DJz, Kamo Mphela, Musa Keys, Moonchild Sanelly, TxC and Charisse C keep everyone on the highest vibes throughout Thursday, and on Friday the Amapiano princess Uncle Waffles owned the stage after a day of amazing scenes from Young Stunna, Felo Le Tee, Sha Sha, Vigro Deep, Gyakie, Bhoole, Nicky Summers and hotly-tipped Skyla Tylaa.
The resounding success of Afro Nation Portugal 2023 not only brought joy to 10’s of thousands in attendance from around the world, but also gave a staggering boost to the economy in Portimão, with the Mayor Isilda Gomes revealing to The Portugal Resident that the festival generates “millions of euros” for the the local hospitality industry.
Tickets for Afro Nation Portugal 2024 have just been announced, and are available for a limited time via: afronation.com
