{{Short description|Music festival}} {{Infobox recurring event | logo = Afro Nation.jpg | image = | caption = Afro Nation 2019 | status = Active | genre = Afrobeats, Amapiano, RnB, Hip hop, Dancehall, Gqom, Afroswing | dates = July | frequency = Annually | venue = Praia da Rocha | location = Portimão | country = Portugal | years_active = 2019–present | organised = {{hlist||The Malachite Group|Live Nation|Memories of Tomorrow}} | first = | member = The Malachite Group | website = {{URL|https://afronation.com/}}i }} thumb|Afro Nation Portugal LIT Stage 2024 thumb|Afro Nation tickets '''Afro Nation''' is an annual three-day music festival organised by global entertainment company The Malachite Group (TMG),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Love |first=Tom |date=2024-07-12 |title=Helios and PFL launch African league with Ngannou as Chairman |url=https://www.sportindustry.biz/news-categories/news/pfl-africa-francis-ngannou-helios-investment/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CHSEG%20is%20a%20committed%20partner,said%20PFL%20CEO%20Peter%20Murray. |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Sport Industry Group |language=en-GB}}</ref> founded in 2019 to unite the African diaspora in a celebration of dance, food, fashion, music.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Afro Nation Portugal 2024 |url=https://www.wordplaymagazine.com/blog-1/2024/4/21/afro-nation-portugal-2024 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=WORDPLAY |language=en-GB|date=2024-04-24|last=Lindsay|first=Ed}}</ref> The festival focuses on showcasing African and international artists across genres such as Afrobeats, Amapiano, RnB, Hip hop, Dancehall, and more.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pires |first=Bruno Filipe |date=2019-07-04 |title=Festival Afro Nation traz estrelas e 50 milhões de retorno a Portimão |url=https://barlavento.sapo.pt/destaque/festival-afro-nation-traz-estrelas-e-50-milhoes-de-retorno-a-portimao |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=Barlavento |language=pt-PT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-06-28 |title=Festival Afro Nation foi apresentado no No Solo Aqua da Praia da Rocha |url=https://www.som-direto.com/l/festival-afro-nation-foi-apresentado-no-no-solo-aqua-da-praia-da-rocha/ |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=www.som-direto.com |language=pt}}</ref> As well as the annual Portugal edition, Afro Nation has also since taken place in Ghana,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Interviews |first1=Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & |last2=ClashMusic |date=2023-01-06 |title=Inside Afro Nation Ghana 2022, Africa's Biggest Music Festival {{!}} Live |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/live/inside-afro-nation-ghana-2022-africas-biggest-music-festival/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews |language=en-GB}}</ref> Puerto Rico,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Afro Nation Puerto Rico 2022: The Lineup By Day - Megan Thee Stallion And Wizkid Confirmed |url=https://travelnoire.com/afro-nation-puerto-rico-2022-the-lineup-by-day-megan-thee-stallion-and-wizkid-confirmed |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Travel Noire |language=en|date=2022-01-03|last=Braga|first=Bruno}}</ref> Miami<ref>{{Cite web |last=Markowitz |first=Douglas |title=Burna Boy and Wizkid Will Headline Debut Afro Nation Festival in Miami |url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/burna-boy-and-wizkid-headline-afro-nation-festival-in-miami-16093354 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Miami New Times |language=en}}</ref> and Detroit.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Claxton |first=Christopher |date=2024-08-19 |title=Afrobeats to the World: 4 Best Moments at Afro Nation Detroit |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/afro-nation-detroit-2024-recap-best-moments/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>
Afro Nation as a festival and global cultural movement has evolved into a platform designed to amplify the voices of African artists worldwide. With past headliners like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Megan Thee Stallion, 50 Cent, Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj, the festival has been bridging African music with the global stage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nyambi |first=Takudzwa |date=2024-10-07 |title=Burna Boy, Tems, Ayra Starr & More Set For Afro Nation Portugal 2025 |url=https://rollingstoneafrica.com/music/music-news/afro-nation-portugal-2025/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Rolling Stone Africa - Music, Culture, Style and More |language=en-GB}}</ref>
Since 2019 the flagship Portugal festival has doubled in size, attracting 40,000 people from 140 countries worldwide, with 90% of festival goers travelling to the event from abroad.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Lisa |date=2023-07-04 |title=Afro Nation holds biggest-ever edition in Portugal |url=https://www.iq-mag.net/2023/07/afro-nation-biggest-ever-edition-portugal/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=IQ Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref>
The festival was nominated in the Best Overseas Festival category at the 2019 UK Festival Awards.<ref name="Voice Online">{{cite web |title=Afro Nation Portugal nominated for best overseas festival |url=https://www.voice-online.co.uk/entertainment/music/2019/11/03/afro-nation-portugal-nominated-for-best-overseas-festival/ |website=Voice Online |access-date=24 March 2022 |language=en |date=3 November 2019}}</ref> In 2020, ''Billboard Magazine'' named Afro Nation as one of The Gatekeepers of the Nigerian music industry.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cirisano |first1=Tatiana |title=The Gatekeepers |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9393637/the-gatekeepers |publisher=Billboard |access-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603120847/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9393637/the-gatekeepers |archive-date=3 June 2020 |pages=3 |language=English}}</ref>
==History== On 1 August 2019, Afro Nation (also marketed as '''Afro Nation Portugal''') was established as a four-day annual music festival in Portimão, Portugal. Billed as the first festival to celebrate the African Diaspora, the event drew approximately 20,000 attendees daily and featured live music from Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Jamaica, the UK and the US. It was created to promote African music genres and provide a platform for artists across the diaspora.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-08-09 |title=The man behind the festival that 'united the African Diaspora' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49275812 |access-date=2025-01-19 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB|last=Freeman-Powell|first=Shamaan}}</ref>
On 13 December 2019, Afro Nation released its compilation mixtape curated by MOVES Recordings, titled ''Afro Nation, Vol. 1''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Afro Nation festival debuts brand new music – listen first here |url=https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/eugy-br3nya-body-afro-nation-festival-and-moves |website=Red Bull |access-date=23 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The album features guest appearance from SMADE, Ice Prince, Slim Kofi, Lighter Tod, Joey B, Kuami Eugene, Medikal, Eddie Kadi, Bisa Kdei, Adekunle Gold, Oxlade, Reekado Banks, Eugy, Br3nya, and Terry Apala.<ref name="Voice Online" />
In 2020, the planned second editions of both Afro Nation Portugal<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wynter |first=Courtney |date=2020-05-11 |title=Afro Nation 2020 Officially Postponed |url=https://grmdaily.com/afro-nation-2020-postponed/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=GRM Daily |language=en-GB}}</ref> and Afro Nation Ghana were postponed to 1 July 2022,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=21 January 2022 |title=Wizkid, Davido, PSquare headline AfroNation 2022 |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/wizkid-davido-psquare-headline-afronation-2022/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=23 March 2022 |newspaper=The Nation}}</ref> and 29 December 2022,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-07 |title=Afro Nation Ghana 2022: The Festival Returns In December With Meek Mill And Other Afrobeats Stars |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/afro-nation-ghana-2022-festival-204703042.html |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Yahoo Life |language=en-US}}</ref> due to COVID-19.
On 26 September 2021, Afro Nation and Official Charts Company founded the official weekly UK Afrobeats Chart Show on BBC Radio 1Xtra,<ref name=":1" /> with host Eddie Kadi.<ref name=":2" />
'''Expansion and Developments (2022–2024)'''
In 2022 Afro Nation Portugal introduced a new main stage, which was also transported to Accra for Afro Nation Ghana.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-19 |title=Investing In Africa: How Afro Nation Ghana Changed The Game - Pollstar News |url=https://news.pollstar.com/2022/12/19/investing-in-africa-how-afro-nation-ghana-changed-the-game/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=news.pollstar.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The 2022 Portugal edition also saw the introduction of a second stage named Piano People,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Afro Nation to host amapiano stage in 2022 · News ⟋ RA |url=https://ra.co/news/76703 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Resident Advisor |language=en}}</ref> dedicated to Amapiano, reflecting the increasing prominence of the South African electronic music genre globally.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Daryl |date=2022-02-15 |title=How 'Amapiano', South Africa's soulful sound, has become one of the hottest new music genres |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/15/africa/amapiano-south-africa-music-genre-origins-spc-intl/index.html |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
In 2022 the Piano People brand expanded to standalone events in the UK, taking place at a variety of venues such as Ministry of Sound, Printworks<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Radio 1Xtra - Jeremiah Asiamah, Printworks London special 2022! |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001fld4 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> and also launched the first Amapiano stage at the Notting Hill Carnival.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Notting Hill Carnival will have its first-ever amapiano stage for 2022 |url=https://mixmag.net/read/notting-hill-carnival-will-have-its-first-ever-amapiano-stage-news |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Mixmag}}</ref>
Afro Nation Portugal 2023’s attendance figures were reported to have doubled since 2019, now attracting 40,000 people from 140 countries worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |title=40,000 in Praia da Rocha for festival |url=https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2023-07-03/40000-in-praia-da-rocha-for-festival/79143 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.theportugalnews.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-05 |title=40,000-Plus At Biggest Afro Nation Portugal To Date - Pollstar News |url=https://news.pollstar.com/2023/07/05/40000-plus-at-biggest-afro-nation-portugal-to-date/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=news.pollstar.com |language=en-US}}</ref> That year the festival had a direct impact of €114 million to the local economy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maio |first=Beatriz |date=2024-06-17 |title=Afro Nation to bring over 35,000 to Portimão |url=https://www.portugalresident.com/afro-nation-to-bring-over-35000-to-portimao/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Portugal Resident |language=en-GB}}</ref> On 10 March 2024 the festival released a short film documentary titled ‘''Afro Nation: A Movement''’ shot during the 2023 edition of the Portugal festival,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Afro Nation share documentary charting rise of amapiano and Afrobeats, A Movement |url=https://mixmag.net/read/afro-nation-share-documentary-amapiano-afrobeats-a-movement-news |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Mixmag}}</ref> and in October 2024 the film was shown during Amsterdam Dance Event.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ADE set to screen Afro Nation mini-documentary this Sunday 20th October |url=https://www.music-news.com/news/Underground/177657/ADE-set-to-screen-Afro-Nation-mini-documentary-this-Sunday-20th-October |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Music-News.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
In November 2023 Piano People hosted its largest Amapiano event at London's 15,000 capacity<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-26 |title=15,000-capacity London venue DRUMSHEDS announces Charlotte de Witte, Jamie Jones, Orbital, more for first parties |url=https://djmag.com/news/15000-capacity-london-venue-drumsheds-announces-charlotte-de-witte-jamie-jones-orbital-more |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=DJ Mag |language=en}}</ref> club Drumsheds,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dazed |date=2023-11-29 |title=Photos of the explosive style at Piano People's big London blowout |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/61445/1/photos-streetstyle-piano-people-london-festival-drumsheds-amapiano-music-africa |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Dazed |language=en}}</ref> before launching one-day open-air festivals at New York's Central Park on 27 July 2024<ref>{{Cite web |title=Piano People in the Park with Scorpion Kings, Kelvin Momo + more at Summerstage, Central Park |url=https://donyc.com/events/2024/7/27/piano-people-in-the-park-with-scorpion-kings-kelvin-momo-more-tickets |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=doNYC |language=en}}</ref> and London’s Southwark Park<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Joel |date=2024-08-20 |title=African electronic music, Piano style |url=https://www.voice-online.co.uk/entertainment/2024/08/20/african-electronic-music-piano-style/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Voice Online |language=en}}</ref> on 23 August 2024.
Afro Nation Portugal 2024 was headlined by Nigerian artist Asake, who brought out UK rapper Central Cee as a surprise guest for their debut live performance of the track ‘''Wave''’.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Afro Nation Portugal 2024 Highlights: Asake Brings Out Central Cee for First-Ever Performance of "Wave" |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/afro-nation-portugal-2024-highlights-asake-brings-out-central-cee-for-first-ever-performance-of-wave/278418 |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=okayafricasite |language=en}}</ref> The 2024 edition of Afro Nation Portugal was sponsored by brands including Hennessy, Havana Club, Jägermeister and Converse.Performances from the Piano People stage were streamed by Beatport, and DBN Gogo's live set from Afro Nation featured in DJ Mag's Top Mixes of 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-20 |title=DJ Mag's top mixes of 2024 |url=https://djmag.com/features/dj-mags-top-mixes-of-2024 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=DJ Mag |language=en}}</ref>
'''Fifth Anniversary (2025)'''
Afro Nation Portugal is set to return for its fifth edition on 9 July 2025, with Burna Boy, Tems, Amaarae, Uncle Waffles, DBN Gogo and more announced to perform over three days on Praia da Rocha beach.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tems, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Scorpion Kings & More to Headline Afro Nation Portugal 2025 {{!}} OkayAfrica |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/afro-nation-2025-tems-burna-boy/#:~:text=Afro%20Nation%20is%20pulling%20out,the%20global%20African%20music%20scene. |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.okayafrica.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Okundaye |first=Jason |date=2025-01-01 |title=The Long Wave: From the Met Gala to Afcon, 2025 promises to be a bumper year |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2025/jan/01/the-long-wave-met-gala-black-culture-2025-chimamanda-ngozie-adichie-michael-jackson |access-date=2025-01-19 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
== Portugal's audience and headliners == Despite its export to other countries, Afro Nation main venue keeps on being at Portugal. Both audience and highly safe environment have maintained Portugal's summer festival as Afro Nation main venue in terms of investment associated with increasing growth of audience and line up quality as festival records<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-03 |title=Festival Afro Nation levou mais de 40 mil pessoas a Portimão, avança organização |url=https://expresso.pt/blitz/2023-07-03-Festival-Afro-Nation-levou-mais-de-40-mil-pessoas-a-Portimao-avanca-organizacao-a883cd13 |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=Expresso |language=pt}}</ref> shows.
=== Afro Nation Portugal 2019 (August 01–04) === * '''Audience:''' ≈ 20,000 people every day * '''Line up:''' Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage and J Hus.
=== Afro Nation Portugal 2022 (July 01–03) === * '''Audience:''' ≈ 35,000 people every day * '''Line up:''' Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Chris Brown, Megan Thee Stallion, P-Square, Focalistic, Kabza De Small, Major League DJz and DJ Maphorisa.
=== Afro Nation Portugal 2023 (June 28–30) === * '''Audience:''' ≈ 40,000 people every day * '''Line up:''' Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, 50 Cent, Booba, Little Simz, Scorpion Kings, Major League DJz and Uncle Waffles.
=== Afro Nation Portugal 2024 (June 26–28) === * '''Audience:''' ≈ 40,000 people every day * '''Line up:''' Nicki Minaj, Rema, Asake, Fally Ipupa, Dadju & Tayc, Major League DJz, Uncle Waffles and Musa Keys.
=== Afro Nation Portugal 2025 (July 09–11) === * '''Audience:''' ≈ 40,000 people every day * '''Line up:''' Burna Boy, Davido, Tems, Mary J. Blige, Booba & Amaarae, Dexta Daps, Franglish, Gabzy, Uncle Waffles, Scorpion Kings, DBN Gogo, Naza, Odeal, Tiakola, June Freedom.
=== Afro Nation Portugal 2026 (July 03–05) === * '''Audience:''' ≈ 40,000 people every day * '''Line up:''' Asake, Tyla, Wizkid, Gunna, Kehlani, Mariah The Scientist, Ludmilla, Niska and Olamide.
==US and Africa events==
=== Afro Nation Ghana 2019 (December 27–30) === * '''Venue:''' Laboma Beach * '''Headliners:''' Alkaline, Burna Boy, Shatta Wale, Wizkid, Davido and Stonebwoy.
=== Afro Nation Puerto Rico 2022 (March 24–26) === * '''Venue:''' Carolina Public Beach * '''Headliners:''' Wizkid, Megan Thee Stallion and Rick Ross.
=== Afro Nation Ghana 2022 (December 29–30) === * '''Venue:''' Carolina Public Beach * '''Headliners:''' Meek Mill, Stonebwoy, Tiwa Savage and P-Square.
=== Afro Nation Miami 2023 (May 27–28) === * '''Venue:''' LoanDepot park * '''Headliners:''' Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, Asake, Shenseea and Uncle Waffles.
=== Afro Nation Detroit 2023 (August 19–20) === * '''Venue:''' Bedrock's Douglass Site * '''Headliners:''' Burna Boy, Davido, Ari Lennox, P-Square, Coi Leray and Latto.
=== Afro Nation Detroit 2024 (August 17–18) === * '''Venue:''' Bedrock's Douglass Site * '''Headliners:''' Rema, Asake, PartyNextDoor, Scorpion Kings and Uncle Waffles.
=== Afro Nation Punta Cana 2025 (November 7–9) === * '''Venue:''' Pearl Beach Club and El Dorado Waterpark * '''Headliners:''' Sexyy Red, Olamide, Shallipopi, Odeal, Ruger, TXC.
=== Afro Nation Presents: WAV. Festival 2026 (January 02) === * '''Venue:''' Green Point Track, Cape Town * '''Headliners:''' Mariah The Scientist, Sasha Keable, Wale, Isaiah Falls, Kelvin Momo.
===Performers=== Emerging and established acts from genres like Afrobeats, Amapiano, and Dancehall are consistently part of its lineup. Since 2019, the festival has featured performances from Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Rema, Asake, Tyla, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, 50 Cent, Megan Thee Stallion, Central Cee, Little Simz, Meek Mill, Rick Ross, Ari Lennox, PartyNextDoor, Shenseea, Coi Leray, Latto, Aya Nakamura, Booba, Alkaline, Koffee, Beenie Man, Popcaan, Ayra Starr, Fireboy DML, Omah Lay, Major League DJz, Scorpion Kings, Uncle Waffles, DBN Gogo, Focalistic, Musa Keys, Fally Ipupa, Ninho, Dadju & Tayc, Franglish, Busy Signal, Femi Kuti, Adekunle Gold, Afro B, B Young, Distruction Boyz, Hardy Caprio, King Promise, Maleek Berry, Mist, Mostack, Ms Dynamite, Not3s, NSG, Octavian, Stefflon Don, Teni, The Compozers, Vanessa Mdee, Laycon, Yxng Bane, C4 Pedro, CKay, Dadju, Diamond Platnumz, Ding Dong, Innoss'B, KiDi, Kizz Daniel, Kuami Eugene, Black Sherif, Tiwa Savage, Gyakie, Maître Gims, Naira Marley, Nelson Freitas, Niniola, Patoranking, R2Bees, Reekado Banks, Ruger, Small Doctor, Sona, Tekno, Wande Coal and more.
== Radio shows == ===Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show=== On 26 September 2021, Afro Nation and Official Charts Company founded the official weekly UK Afrobeats Chart Show on BBC Radio 1 Xtra,<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=BBC Radio 1Xtra to launch weekly Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/bbc-radio-1xtra-to-launch-first-ever-weekly-official-uk-afrobeats-chart-show__33805/#:~:text=BBC%20Radio%201Xtra%20has%20announced,actor%2C%20and%20MC%20Eddie%20Kadie. |website=www.officialcharts.com |access-date=23 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref> with host Eddie Kadi.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |title=BBC Radio 1Xtra - The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show with Eddie Kadi |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000z03w |website=BBC |access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref>
==Music charts== *U.S Afrobeats Songs Chart - (An Afrobeats chart founded by ''Billboard'' and Afro Nation, in 2022)<ref>{{cite web |title=Billboard & Afro Nation Are Launching a U.S. Afrobeats Chart |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/afrobeats-billboard-chart-us/ |website=OkayAfrica |access-date=23 March 2022 |language=en |date=23 March 2022}}</ref> *UK Afrobeats Singles Chart - (An Afrobeats chart founded by Official Charts Company and Afro Nation, in 2020)<ref>{{cite web |title=Official Charts Company launches Afrobeats chart |url=https://completemusicupdate.com/article/official-charts-company-launches-afrobeats-chart/ |website=Complete Music Update |access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref>
==Discography== ===Mixtapes=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of mixtapes with selected details ! scope="col" style="width:11em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:20em;"| EP details |- ! scope="row"| ''Afro Nation, Vol. 1'' | * Released: 13 December 2019 * Label: MOVES Recordings * Formats: Digital download, streaming |}
== Challenges == In 2020, Afro Nation Portugal was set to begin operating as a three-day annual event. However, the second edition was postponed to 1 July 2022,<ref name=":0" /> due to the outbreak of COVID-19.<ref>{{cite web |title=Afro Nation Puerto Rico Is Canceled Due To Coronavirus Concerns |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/afro-nation-puerto-rico-canceled-due-coronavirus-concerns |access-date=23 March 2022 |website=www.grammy.com}}</ref> The festival faced backlash from customers after initially not issuing refunds and instead having to retain tickets for the postponed event.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-13 |title=EVENT: Afro Nation Faces Backlash After Not Issuing Refunds. [@Afronation] - GUAP |url=https://guap.co/afro-nation-faces-backlash-after-not-issuing-refunds/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=guap.co |language=en-GB}}</ref> In December 2020, the Ghanaian edition of the festival was also cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-10 |title=2020 edition of Afro Nation Ghana cancelled |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/2020-edition-of-Afro-Nation-Ghana-cancelled-1105528 |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}</ref>
In 2022, the festival in Puerto Rico was shadowed with the cancellation of Burna Boy, Tems, Koffee and Beenie Man in the leadup to the festival.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2022-04-07 |title=Afro Nation Comes to Puerto Rico: Big Dreams, Canceled Sets, and Growing Pains |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/afro-nation-puerto-rico-cancellations-1333588/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> The same year, the festival was stopped in Ghana during the course of its second day, due to safety concerns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amoah |first=Geraldine |date=2022-12-31 |title=AfroNation cancels mid-show due to security concerns, more chilling details drop |url=https://yen.com.gh/entertainment/music/225467-afro-nation-cancelled-mid-show-organisers-claim-safety-reasons-details-drop/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. |language=en}}</ref> On 9 June 2023, the organisers of the festival announced Afro Nation Nigeria, a new series of the festival to be held in Lagos.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Onikoyi |first1=Ayo |title=Afro Nation Nigeria festival announced |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/06/afro-nation-nigeria-festival-announced/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=13 August 2023 |newspaper=Vanguard|date=11 June 2023 }}</ref> On 31 October 2023, the Nigerian edition of the festival was cancelled.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-31 |title=Afro Nation Nigeria 2023 cancelled |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Afro-Nation-Nigeria-2023-cancelled-1872269 |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}</ref>
== Cultural impact == Since 2019, Afro Nation has been promoting African music and artists and changing the narrative around Africa, whilst promoting unity, inclusivity and environmental sustainability.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-24 |title=A Melting Pot Of Culture: Afro Nation's Impact On Detroit |url=https://www.essence.com/culture/a-melting-pot-of-culture-afro-nations-impact-on-detroit/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Essence |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rood |first=Kessiah |date=2023-07-15 |title=16 Facts About Afro Nation Festival |url=https://facts.net/events/16-facts-about-afro-nation-festival/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Facts.net |language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == *[https://afronationmexico.com/ Afro Nation Mexico] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204085735/https://afronationmexico.com/ |date=2021-12-04 }} *[https://afronationghana.com/ Afro Nation Ghana] *[https://www.viberate.com/festival/afro-nation-portugal/ Afro Nation on Viberate]
Category:Festivals in Portugal Category:2019 establishments in Portugal Category:Music festivals in Portugal Category:Music festivals established in 2019