Before the first whistle blows at AFCON 2025, Africa is already in celebration mode and Davido is leading the charge. The Nigerian Afrobeats superstar has been confirmed as a headline act for the tournament’s official opening concert, set to take place on Saturday, 20 December, at the OLM Souissi Fan Zone in Rabat, Morocco.
Joining Davido on stage is a diverse lineup that reflects AFCON’s pan-African and global reach. French Montana returns to perform on home soil, alongside Moroccan pop star Douaa Lahyaoui, rising talent Says’z, and Franco-Moroccan favourite Lartiste. Together, the artists will usher in the continent’s biggest football tournament with a night dedicated to music, culture, and unity.
Organised by CAF, TotalEnergies, and the Kingdom of Morocco, the concert has been described as one of the most ambitious entertainment programmes ever staged alongside AFCON. Fans with official Fan IDs or match tickets can attend the event for free, with performances running from 6:00pm to midnight local time — a high-energy prelude blending Afrobeats, pop, urban sounds, and African rhythms.
Davido’s inclusion feels fitting. Beyond his chart-topping albums — A Good Time, A Better Time, and Timeless — the artist has become synonymous with landmark global moments. From performing at the 2017 AFCON opening ceremony to appearing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar, Davido has repeatedly represented Afrobeats on some of the world’s biggest stages, bringing both spectacle and cultural pride.
French Montana’s participation adds a homecoming narrative, while Douaa Lahyaoui, Says’z, and Lartiste spotlight Morocco’s vibrant music scene and the next generation of African talent. Together, the lineup captures the essence of AFCON 2025 — not just as a football tournament, but as a celebration of African creativity, identity, and collective joy.
