In collaboration with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Global Citizen is set to launch an unprecedented international music touring circuit across the African continent. The initiative, named ‘Move Afrika,’ is a groundbreaking venture that will see Rwanda as the host for the annual event over the next five years, with plans to expand the tour to five countries by 2025.
Scheduled for December 6 at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, the inaugural event will feature Grammy Award-winning star Kendrick Lamar as the headline act.
Lamar’s independent multi-creative services company, PgLang, has been appointed as the curator of the tour for the next five years. This partnership solidifies a commitment to excellence and innovation in music and visual media production throughout the tour.
The inaugural event, Move Afrika: Rwanda, will place a spotlight on critical issues, focusing on strengthening health systems with an emphasis on supporting community health workers. Additionally, the event will address the climate crisis, particularly its impact on food security, and seek support for smallholder farmers. Another key theme is the imperative need to tackle the lack of access to economic opportunities for future generations.
A communique released by Move Africa on November 15 outlined the event’s primary objectives, noting that while the first line-up of artists has been revealed, more performers will be announced in the lead-up to the event.
The Global Citizen Festival, known for its annual music festivals, encourages fans to take action towards ending extreme poverty to earn free tickets. These festivals bring together Global Citizens, artists, activists, world leaders, philanthropists, and corporate leaders with a unified mission of ‘end extreme poverty now.’
The timing of the Global Citizen Festival aligns with the UN General Assembly, strategically leveraging opportunities to secure policy and financial commitments from government, corporate, and philanthropic leaders to combat poverty, advocate for equity, and defend the planet. As ‘Move Afrika’ takes center stage, it aims to amplify the voices advocating for positive change and make a lasting impact on the critical issues it addresses.
