Afrobeat giants Davido and Shallipopi delivered a night of electric performances as the 2025 edition of Afro Nation roared to life on Wednesday, July 9, in Portimão, Portugal. The three-day music and cultural festival, now a global celebration of African sound, opened with a thunderous response from thousands of fans across the diaspora.
Shallipopi stole hearts and headlines with an emotional performance of his viral hit “Lahoo”, bringing his siblings and fellow artists on stage in a powerful show of unity and family pride. His set turned the Portimão beach into a spiritual homecoming, marking one of the standout moments of the opening night.
Davido, Nigeria’s Afrobeat icon and global superstar, followed up with a medley of chart-toppers — “If,” “Fall,” “Dami Duro,” and “Fia.” The crowd erupted as he closed out the night with his signature charisma and unmatched stage energy. Afro Nation’s official page praised the set, hailing him as “the biggest and BADDEST” headliner of Day One.
Thursday will see Grammy-winning singer Tems take the stage, expected to deliver a soulful and cinematic set. The final day of the festival, Friday, promises a stacked lineup with Burna Boy, Kamo Mphela, French rapper Booba, and dancehall star Dexta Daps rounding off what’s already being described as the most unforgettable Afro Nation yet.
Launched in 2019, Afro Nation has grown into the premier platform for showcasing African talent to the world. Its 2025 edition returns to Portugal’s Algarve coast, drawing fans from across Europe, Africa, and the Americas in a celebration of Afrobeat, Amapiano, dancehall, and hip-hop culture.
Videos of the opening night performances are already going viral, with clips showing thousands waving flags, singing word-for-word, and dancing under the moonlight to some of Africa’s most iconic music exports. Shallipopi and Davido have set a bar that only legends can match — and Afro Nation is just getting started.
