Two of Nigeria’s biggest music stars, Shallipopi and Davido, lit up the stage on the opening night of the 2025 Afro Nation Festival, thrilling thousands of fans with energetic performances in Portimão, Portugal.
The much-anticipated three-day music festival, which celebrates African music and culture, began on Wednesday, July 9, with a spectacular show that set a high standard for the rest of the event.
A festival of African sounds
Afro Nation, first held in 2019, has become one of the world’s leading music festivals for Afrobeats, Amapiano, dancehall, and hip-hop. It attracts global attention each year, bringing together top African and international artists to celebrate the richness of Black music and creativity.
This year’s edition features a star-studded lineup, including Davido, Shallipopi, Tems, Burna Boy, Booba, Kamo Mphela, and Dexta Daps.
Shallipopi brings surprise and style
Shallipopi, known for his street-inspired sound and viral lyrics, gave fans an unforgettable show. During his performance of the hit song Lahoo, he invited his siblings and fellow artistes to join him on stage. The surprise move thrilled the audience and added a personal touch to his performance.
The crowd sang along loudly, dancing to the beat as Shallipopi delivered one of the most talked-about moments of the night. Social media buzzed with clips from his set, which many fans described as “electric” and “authentic.”
Afro Nation’s official page praised his performance, writing, “MONUMENTAL! @theycallmeshallipopi came to SCATTER the Portimão at #ANP2025!”
Davido delivers back-to-back hits
Davido, one of Africa’s biggest music exports, closed the night with a powerhouse performance. The DMW boss thrilled fans with a string of hit songs, including If, Fall, Dami Duro, and Fia.
Dressed in a vibrant outfit and backed by a live band and dancers, Davido brought unmatched energy to the stage. His set had the audience screaming, waving flags, and singing every word.
Afro Nation also celebrated Davido’s impact on the night, sharing a video of his set on social media with the caption: “ANP2025? OBO OUR HEADLINER!! @davido closed our day one of #ANP2025 with the biggest and BADDEST energy 001 would bring!”
The singer, often referred to as “OBO” (Omo Baba Olowo), has a long history of headlining major events around the world. His Afro Nation appearance added to his impressive list of global performances.
Tems, Burna Boy set to follow
As the festival continues, more Nigerian and African acts are set to take the spotlight. Singer-songwriter Tems is scheduled to perform on Thursday night. Known for her soulful voice and global hits like Free Mind and Essence, her performance is expected to draw a massive crowd.
On Friday, Afro-fusion star Burna Boy will headline the closing night. The Grammy winner will be joined by South African dancer Kamo Mphela, French rapper Booba, and Jamaican dancehall singer Dexta Daps. Together, they will wrap up the festival with what promises to be another unforgettable night of music and celebration.
Global stage for African talent
Afro Nation continues to provide a global stage for African and Black artists to connect with fans across continents. This year’s festival once again highlights the growing influence of Afrobeats and African culture worldwide.
With thousands of fans attending from across Europe, Africa, and the Americas, the 2025 edition is shaping up to be one of the most successful so far.
From Shallipopi’s high-energy surprise to Davido’s chart-topping hits, Afro Nation’s opening night proved why the festival remains one of the most exciting events on the global music calendar.
As the celebration continues, all eyes are on the stars set to perform in the coming days. But for many, the opening night will be hard to top.
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