The recently concluded Afro Nation Festival 2023 in Portugal was definitely one that would be remembered for days and years to come.
The final week of June saw over 40,000 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 in 2019, which 20,000 people attended, 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.
We highlighted seven unforgettable moments that happened during the three-day event in Portugal. They include;
Burna Boy stealing the hearts of fans on day one of Afro Nation 2023 Portugal
As he did in Miami in June 2023, Burna Boy once again showed why he is viewed as one of the best artists out of Africa as he took to the stage on day one of Afro Nation in Portugal on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, as he set the bar high at with his opening performance at Praia Da Rocha beach.
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.
Aya Nakamura's remarkable debut at Afro Nation Festival 2023
With so much variety on the main stage, the sun shone down on so many artists who were also undeniably at the top of their game. Chart-topping French-Malian pop singer Aya Nakamura took to the stage for the first time and performed some of her greatest hits, which had fans thrilled and excited.
A couple's engagement
Aside from the excitement of the guest artists at the event, fans were also stunned by an official proposal and an engagement at the event.
Biggest Bird Wizkid headlining day two of Afro Nation Festival 2023
Day two of the Afro Nation Festival 2023 in Portugal on the beach was crowned by Afrobeats Starboy Wizkid, who had the whole crowd dancing after performances of other acts at the event. The Biggest Bird took to the stage with backup from instrumentalists, The Compozers and delivered a noteworthy performance with his soothing melodies and also performances of his greatest hits at the event as well.
Asake's crowd dive at Afro Nation Festival 2023
Thursday, June 29, 2023, was also host to one of the standout moments of the whole festival, Asake. The YBNL singer made a grand entrance to the Afro Nation Festival 2023 stage on a bike, and the spontaneous performer later took a dive 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.
Davido's unforgettable performance at Afro Nation Festival 2023
The final day on the main stage was similarly stacked with a powerful array of headline-worthy acts. Davido closed the Afro Nation Festival 2023 on a high note as the singer created magic on stage with his performance at the event. He had fans singing along to some of his greatest hits at the event.
READ ALSO: Did you miss it? Watch Davido dazzle at Afro Nation Festival 2023
50 Cent headlining Day three At Afro Nation Festival 2023
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.
