World-famous Nicki Minaj will headline the world’s largest Afrobeats festival
Afro Nation, the world’s largest Afrobeats festival, is returning to Portimão and its fourth edition is promising to be more exciting than ever. This year, world-famous rapper Nicki Minaj will headline the festival, following in the footsteps of 50 Cent in 2023 and Chris Brown in 2022.
Thousands of people are expected in Praia da Rocha between June 26 and 28 for an event which every summer attracts visitors from all over the world.
Expectations are running high and Álvaro Bila – Portimão’s deputy mayor until current mayor Isilda Gomes leaves to take up her new position as European MP in Brussels next month – is forecasting “over 35,000 visitors” as a direct result of the festival.
Bila has highlighted the “very significant impact” that the festival has on the local economy, especially restaurants and hotels, adding that festivalgoers are “generally friendly and respectful” and boast “considerable purchasing power”. In 2023 alone, Afro Nation had a direct impact of around €114 million, with around 40,000 people from over 40 countries in attendance.
Organisers are also expecting a “sold-out event, with fans from 170 countries making Portugal their ultimate summer festival destination”.
“It’s amazing to see this growing movement,” they said, highlighting that the “ultimate goal is simply to bring people together in a safe, fun environment where amazing memories are made”.
The festival’s “stunning location” in Praia da Rocha has captivated the hearts of those who come to Afro Nation and end up “falling in love with Portimão”.
“We have a 100% success rate of selling out hotels in the local area and that expands out to surrounding regions as well as local businesses,” the organisers add.
The natural beauty of Praia da Rocha makes it the “perfect stage” to enjoy performances by various Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, R&B, Dancehall, and Afrohouse artists, allowing visitors to also enjoy a “dream holiday”.
To ensure that traffic and parking remain as hassle-free as possible, there will be a “significant increase in parking capacity” with two new temporary car parks, which will increase the number of spaces by 2,000, the local mayor has announced.
But there are more novelties in the pipeline, as Afro Nation will have more to offer festivalgoers this year.
“This year we’re excited to be expanding our range of food offerings including Tini Tempah’s new food venture ‘Raps’, and also bringing in creative new partners to develop a range of highly-engaging activities on the beach,” organisers said.
The team behind the festival is committed to expanding on what Afro Nation has to offer, with new services ranging from tooth gems to braids. The nearby NoSoloÁgua will be hosting the VIP Beach Club Takeovers, starting the party early every day from noon with DJ sets from Lit, Afro Nation vs Everybody, and Girls I Rate, as well as the popular Afro Spa on the beach.
Hosting the event in Portimão – considering that it is also held in other parts of Europe, Africa and North America – is described as a “source of pride” for the town, as it is part of a “globally recognised musical celebration,” added deputy mayor Álvaro Bila.
Given that the festival has been a success in Portimão, and that the local council has been “extremely supportive,” it is guaranteed that Afro Nation will return to the Algarvian town next summer.
“As the original home of our global Afro Nation family, this place is very special to us, and deeply meaningful to our community. Therefore, we are very excited for our future together,” the organisers stated.
By Beatriz Maio
