Move Afrika expands impact in Kigali with local talent, training initiatives

Move Afrika is more than just an entertainment event—it is a platform driving real-world impact by upskilling young people in host cities. The latest edition, headlined by John Legend on Friday night, reinforced this mission, equipping Rwanda’s next generation of creatives with skills to push boundaries in the entertainment industry and beyond. ALSO READ: PHOTOS: John Legend brings Kigali to life with unforgettable Move Afrika performance Global Citizen Co-Founder and CEO Hugh Evans highlighted the festival’s broader vision, emphasizing the ambition behind building an infrastructure that enables international artists to tour Africa. “Tonight, we saw the results of that dedication burst into vivid color, with a night of music and culture so inspiring that young Rwandans will remember it forever,” he said. “Move Afrika is about equipping Africa’s next generation to push far beyond the limits of what’s currently possible, and we’re honored to be part of their journey.” This year’s Move Afrika: Kigali made strides in strengthening local talent, with the Rwandan crew making up 90 percent of the production team, an increase from 75 percent in 2023. The event, organized in partnership with Done and Dusted and Rwanda Events Group, showcased Rwanda’s growing capacity as a world-class event destination. According to Global Citizen, investments in local skills and businesses included a significant boost in locally sourced technical production. The proportion of local audio control specialists rose from 50 percent to 95 percent, while lighting and video crew increased from 40 percent and 33 percent to 95 percent and 75 percent, respectively. Rwandan technicians collaborated with international teams from PRG, John Henry’s, and Solotech, gaining expertise in equipment preparation and maintenance. The festival also put a spotlight on Rwandan creativity through stage and set design. Local artist Dolph Banza returned to create backdrops inspired by traditional Kitenge fabric designs, while artisans from Nyamirambo Women’s Center handcrafted Agaseke peace baskets, which were incorporated into stage lighting. In hospitality, Move Afrika expanded its partnership with the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, increasing the number of Rwandan youth trained for the event from 35 to 50. These young professionals shadowed experienced production and hospitality crews, gaining hands-on experience aligned with their career interests. Security measures at this year’s event also marked a first for Rwanda. For the first time, local private security professionals with accredited First Aid training were deployed, following a specialized course delivered by Global Citizen’s Safety & Security team to over 100 personnel from Crowd Minders. Additionally, 45 event supervisors and managers received advanced security training from Cohort Security Group, meeting international standards in audience management and behavioral observation. At BK Arena, upgrades made in 2023 laid the groundwork for this year’s full-scale production. QA Venue Solutions, in collaboration with Momentum and Fortem, conducted a structural survey to assess the arena’s weight capacity for rigging. As a result, BK Arena operated at full production capability, with Rwanda’s first four full-time riggers—trained by Rwanda Events Group and Unusual Rigging—playing a key role in event execution. Move Afrika’s commitment to skills development extended to students, with 14 participants completing a six-month introductory training program through Rwanda Events Group. Six of them worked directly on the event’s production, gaining practical experience in line with the festival’s focus on hands-on learning. Beyond the production team, thousands of young Rwandans engaged with the festival through community-driven initiatives. Over 1,000 Rwandans participated in a day of action on youth and women’s health, organized in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Rwanda Biomedical Center, Imbuto Foundation, and Kimisagara Youth Center. The event featured a mobile health clinic and awareness campaigns aimed at empowering young people to make informed health decisions. The Move Afrika Creative Fellows program, run in collaboration with Rwanda Film Office, Rwanda Development Board, and Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, returned for its second year with an expanded format. Fifteen emerging filmmakers were selected for workshops and coaching on pitching and treatment development, with one participant receiving funding to produce a short film. Cisco and Tribeca Studios provided additional support. Global Citizen also invited staff and volunteers from past Global Citizen Prize-winning organizations, including Water Access Rwanda, the Loss and Damage Youth Coalition, and MobiKlinic, to take part in this year’s festival. Move Afrika is backed by partners including pgLang and the Rwanda Development Board. The 2025 edition built on Global Citizen’s previous campaigns across Africa, including Move Afrika: Rwanda in 2023, which featured Kendrick Lamar, and past Global Citizen festivals in Johannesburg, Lagos, and Accra.

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Move Afrika expands impact in Kigali with local talent, training initiatives