29/07/2025
What We’re Looking Forward to in 2025: Art, Sound, Sport & Soul
Culture is calling, and 2025 is answering with a full orchestra.
From Marrakech to Kigali, Lagos to Somerset, the African continent and her creative diaspora are not just on the map — they're shaping it. 2025 is packed with pivotal cultural moments that celebrate African excellence in music, art, sport, tech, and storytelling. Here's what’s on our radar this year:
January 30 – February 2
1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, Marrakech
The year kicks off with the leading international fair for contemporary African art. Galleries from across Africa and the diaspora converge in Marrakech, spotlighting powerful, provocative work that reflects a continent in motion. The "red city" becomes a living gallery.
Now – January 23
LagosPhoto Festival
Themed Incarceration, this edition showcases how African photographers are using their lenses to question systems and tell truth. Expect stunning visuals and a thought-provoking journey through social commentary and creativity.
February 2
The Grammy Awards
All eyes on the second year of the Best African Music Performance category. Tems, Burna Boy, Rema, Angelique Kidjo, and Yemi Alade are in the spotlight. Representation is expanding — finally — and African excellence is front and centre.
February 21 & 25
Global Citizen’s Move Afrika Tour – Lagos & Kigali
John Legend headlines the first edition of this new tour series. More than just performances, it’s a strategy: connecting international artists with African audiences and building a sustainable music touring circuit across the continent.
March 4
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie releases “Dream Count”
Twelve years since her last novel, the queen of African literature returns. Set during the pandemic, this story of four Nigerian women navigating life, love, and regret is one of the year’s most anticipated reads.
March (dates TBC)
Homecoming Festival, Lagos
A celebration of culture, fashion, music, and community — bringing together creatives from Lagos to London and beyond. Panels, pop-ups, workshops and art tours make this more than a festival; it’s a movement.
April 3 – 4
Global AI Summit on Africa, Kigali
Themed AI and Africa’s Demographic Dividend, this summit explores the intersection of tech and economics. What does artificial intelligence mean for African innovation, jobs, and development? Kigali is where those answers will unfold.
April 11 – 13 & April 18 – 20
Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
African artists are making major waves at Coachella 2025. Tyla, Seun Kuti, Amaarae, and Egyptian superstar Mohamed Ramadan are just a few of the names flying the flag.
April – June
Basketball Africa League (BAL)
This year, BAL makes history with its final rounds moving to South Africa for the first time. The season will unfold across three regions:
Kalahari Conference: Rabat, Morocco – April 5 – 13
Sahara Conference: Dakar, Senegal – April 26 – May 4
Nile Conference: Kigali, Rwanda – May 17 – 25
Finals in Pretoria: June 6 – 14
May 1 – 4
Journey to Jazz, Prince Albert, South Africa
Held in a small town in the Karoo, this music festival merges jazz with heritage, storytelling, food, and local community. One to attend if you’re looking for a soulful, immersive experience.
June 20 – 28
Mawazine Festival, Morocco
One of the world’s biggest music festivals. With previous headliners like Rihanna, Mariah Carey, and Aya Nakamura, expectations are high. It’s free, fabulous, and deeply rooted in Moroccan hospitality.
June 27 – 29
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, UK
African headliners are taking over: Burna Boy, Tems, Ayra Starr, and Femi Kuti. Add a few global pop favourites and you have the perfect recipe for a magical weekend under the open sky.
July 3
Davido Live in Concert
He never disappoints. Whether it’s "Fall," "FEM," or "Unavailable," Davido’s shows are part performance, part communal anthem. Expect energy, dancers, and every hit you’ve ever sung along to.
July 9 – 11
Afro Nation, Portugal
This is the crown jewel of Afrobeats festivals. Expect a sun-soaked lineup with Burna Boy, Tems, Uncle Waffles, and more. It’s where Africa meets the diaspora by the beach, wrapped in rhythm.
September 5 – 7
FNB Art Joburg
A must for collectors, curators, and culture lovers. The fair spotlights African visual art in all its forms and welcomes global participation. Contemporary, relevant, and deeply expressive.
September (exact dates TBC)
World Athletics Championships, Tokyo
With African athletes consistently dominating track and field, Tokyo will be a global showcase of speed, endurance, and grace. Keep an eye on Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo and Australia’s Gout Gout.
October 9 – 12
Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival
Held in Johannesburg, Fak’ugesi celebrates Africa’s creative digital talent — from game developers to animators and beyond. If you’re into tech, art, and future-thinking, mark your calendar.
November 6 – 9
Art X Lagos
A bold, glamorous, and future-facing celebration of African art. It’s where fashion, fine art, music, and media all meet — and where tomorrow’s icons are discovered.
December 21 – January 18, 2026
AFCON 2025
The Africa Cup of Nations returns and it’s shaping up to be a classic. Whether you’re rooting for Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal or just in it for the banter and brilliance, this tournament brings the continent together in passion, pride, and unforgettable moments.
This is not just a calendar — it’s a cultural blueprint.
From fine art to stadium lights, from the festival stage to the printed page, 2025 is delivering African excellence in every arena. These aren’t just events — they’re evidence that our stories, our sounds, our style and our spirit are leading the global cultural conversation.
Which one’s on your list?
