Davido Set to Ignite AFCON 2025 Opening Concert in Rabat

Afrobeats superstar Davido has been confirmed as one of the headline acts for the official opening concert of the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat, Morocco, scheduled for Saturday.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) made the announcement on Thursday, revealing a star-studded lineup that also includes French Montana, Moroccan singer Douaa Lahyaoui, French-Moroccan hitmaker Lartiste, and rising artist Says’z.

The concert set to take place at the OLM Souissi Fan Zone from 18:00 local time will serve as a festive curtain-raiser to Africa’s premier football tournament, bringing together music and sport a day before the competition’s first matches begin.

CAF organisers said the event is designed to “reflect AFCON’s celebration of African culture, music, and global influence,” with fans able to attend for free with a Fan ID or match ticket.

Editorial

The Africa Cup of Nations has always been about more than the ninety minutes on the pitch it is, in its essence, a festival — of passion, identity and shared heritage. This year, on the cusp of the 2025 tournament, that truth has been woven into the fabric of the event before a single whistle has blown. Rabat’s OLM Souissi Fan Zone will not merely host an opening concert on Saturday, it will set the tone for an Africa united not just by football but by the artistry and cultural cadence that define the continent.

That the spotlight will fall on Davido a performer whose influence extends far beyond the Afrobeats pulse — is neither incidental nor symbolic it is intentional. In a sweep of soundtracks that have chronicled the contemporary African narrative, Davido stands among a generation of artists whose work has propelled African creativity onto the global stage. When he steps onto that Rabat stage, he will do so not just as entertainment, but as an ambassador of modern African expression.

Coupled with international names like French Montana, whose transatlantic crossover bridges two worlds, and local talents such as Douaa Lahyaoui and Says’z, the lineup reflects a deliberate embrace of diversity — the way Africa resonates inside and outside its borders. The opening concert is, in its own right, a testament that the AFCON is not merely a competition of goals and glory, but a celebration of narrative — of what it means to belong to this vast, vibrant tapestry.

And so, as the stadiums prepare for kickoffs and fans ready their chants, let Rabat’s night of music be remembered not just as a prelude, but as a proclamation: Africa’s football and culture are inseparable, and both are ascending on the world stage.

Did You Know?

1. Davido’s 2025 Tour: Earlier in 2025, Davido completed his “5ive Alive Tour” across North America in support of his fifth studio album 5ive, selling out multiple arenas.
2. Past AFCON Performances: Davido previously performed at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations opening ceremony, underscoring his long-standing connection to the tournament.
3. Fan Zone Network: AFCON fan zones aren’t exclusive to Rabat; multiple Moroccan cities  including Marrakech, Fès, and Casablanca — will host celebrations and cultural showcases during the tournament.
4. French Montana’s Heritage: Headliner French Montana was born in Morocco and later moved to the United States, where he achieved global success with hits like Unforgettable, making his appearance in Rabat something of a homecoming.
5. CAF’s Music Strategy: CAF’s expanded cultural programme for AFCON 2025 is among the most ambitious ever staged alongside the tournament — designed to amplify African music, youth culture and cross-continental artistic exchange.