The city of Lagos just witnessed an electrifying night of music, activism, and global unity as Global Citizen brought its Move Afrika concert to town! The highly anticipated event featured stellar performances from John Legend, Simi, and DJ Consequence, with the ever-charismatic Ebuka Obi-Uchendu as the host. It was a night to remember, blending entertainment with a powerful call to action. One thing is for sure: when Global Citizen is involved, it’s always about more than just the music.
What is Global Citizen?
Global Citizen is a worldwide movement that believes in turning awareness into action. At its core, it’s about fighting extreme poverty and injustice. It focuses on not just providing aid but tackling the root causes—inequality, climate change, and systemic barriers that hold people back.
Founded in 2008, Global Citizen has grown into a powerful advocacy platform. It uses the universal language of music, entertainment, and digital activism to rally people behind urgent global issues. Their concerts and campaigns are focused on mobilizing millions of people to take meaningful action. This ranges from signing petitions to contacting world leaders and pushing for corporate accountability.
Altogether, by bringing together activists, policymakers, artists, and everyday citizens, Global Citizen has helped secure billions of dollars in commitments to fight poverty, provide education, and improve healthcare worldwide. Its mission is clear: When people unite and raise their voices, real change happens.
Global Citizen Move Afrika
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Move Afrika is basically a game-changing initiative from Global Citizen that aims to empower Africa’s creative economy. This initiative focuses on tackling inequality by investing in Africa’s music industry, creating opportunities for local talent, and building a sustainable creative ecosystem. From job creation to skill development, Move Afrika lays the foundation for African artists, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals to thrive globally.
This year, Move Afrika is making a bold statement by expanding from East to West Africa. The tour kicked off in Kigali, Rwanda, at the iconic BK Arena on February 21, 2025, before heading to Lagos, Nigeria, on February 25, 2025, at The Palms.
And what better way to make a bold statement than by bringing John Legend along for the ride? The EGOT-winning superstar, a longtime Global Citizen Ambassador, is headlining the tour, marking his return to the continent spectacularly. In Kigali, he shared the stage with rising Rwandan sensation Bwiza, who has quickly become a powerhouse in Afrobeats and pop, alongside DJ Toxxyk, one of Rwanda’s most celebrated disc jockeys.
Image via Instagram/@globalcitizen
In Lagos, the energy certainly soared as Simi and DJ Consequence joined John Legend for an unforgettable night. Simi is basically known for her soulful Afro-pop sound and hit records. She brought her signature vocal magic, while DJ Consequence kept the crowd on their feet with his high-energy fusion of Afrobeat and modern rhythms.
Image via Instagram/@globalcitizen
But beyond the star power, Global Citizen Move Afrika is about long-term impact. As Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans put it, the goal is to “equip Africa’s youth with the skills, platforms, and infrastructure needed to be a force in the global music scene. And the dream is a future where Africa is no longer excluded from the international touring circuit. But instead is, a major player shaping the industry.
A Legacy of Iconic Global Citizen Concerts
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Global Citizen has a history of hosting world-class concerts that blend entertainment with activism. Accordingly, it is known for drawing some of the biggest names in music to support its mission. Over the years, the organization has brought unforgettable performances to Africa, using music as a rallying cry for change.
One of its most legendary events was the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2018. In that event, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Ed Sheeran, Usher, Eddie Vedder, and Chris Martin lit up the stage in honor of Nelson Mandela’s legacy.
In 2021, Lagos had its own moment with Global Citizen Live. It featured Davido, Femi Kuti, and Tiwa Savage at the New Afrika Shrine. This was a fitting venue given Fela Kuti’s history of using music for activism.
The movement continued in 2022 with Global Citizen Festival: Accra. It brought together an incredible lineup that included Usher, SZA, Stormzy, and Tems at Ghana’s iconic Black Star Square.
More recently, the first-ever Move Afrika concert took place in Rwanda in 2023. It chiefly marked the beginning of an initiative dedicated to empowering Africa’s creative industries and ensuring the continent becomes a key player in the global music scene.
Next up is Global Citizen Festival Amazonia coming up in November 2025.
With each event, Global Citizen certainly proves that music is a tool for action, awareness, and meaningful change.