American Grammy Award winner Doja Cat will headline the third edition of Move Afrika, set to take place in Kigali and Pretoria in March. Move Afrika is a growing pan-African music tour led by Global Citizen. It is organised annually in partnership with pgLang, the creative company co-founded by Kendrick Lamar who and John Legend headlined the previous two editions in 2023 and 2025 respectively. Doja Cat will kick off her Move Afrika tour at BK Arena in Kigali on March 17 before heading to Pretoria, South Africa, for a second show at SunBet Arena. The Kigali concert is organised in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Speaking ahead of the shows, Doja Cat said she is proud to bring both energy and purpose to the continent. “From my South African roots straight to the world stage, we’re bringing energy, purpose, and real change to Move Afrika in Kigali and Pretoria,” she said. “This isn’t just a tour, it’s a movement that creates jobs and opportunities that last. Africa isn’t coming, it’s already here.” ALSO READ: How Move Afrika is turning Kigali into a gateway for global music culture Born Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, the 30-year-old rapper and singer is known for her dynamic stage presence and genre-blending sound that fuses rap and pop. She previously co-headlined the 2024 Global Citizen Festival, where she used her platform to highlight humanitarian crises in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and other parts of the world. Move Afrika was launched in 2023 with a debut show in Kigali headlined by Kendrick Lamar. The tour expanded to Ghana in 2024 and to Lagos in 2025 with a performance by John Legend. Now in its third edition, it continues to grow across the continent. ALSO READ: Kendrick Lamar meets Rwandan rappers ahead of grand concert According to organisers, the long-term goal is to establish the first pan-African music touring circuit, enabling more regular international concerts across African cities while strengthening local production capacity. Since its inception, Move Afrika has created more than 2,500 jobs in Kigali and Lagos, with over 90 percent of crew and production roles filled by local professionals. In Kigali, the share of local crew rose from 75 percent in 2023 to 90 percent in 2025. Most sound and lighting equipment is now sourced locally. The programme has also provided training in stage rigging, security, hospitality, and event management. Through the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, 50 young people received paid, hands-on experience in event production and operations. Beyond entertainment, Move Afrika advocates for stronger healthcare systems across the continent. Ahead of each show, Global Citizen works with local partners to encourage greater investment in primary healthcare and sexual and reproductive health services. The 2026 edition will also feature new research under the Music Economy Development Initiative (MEDI), launched with partners including Universal Music Group and IFC. The initiative aims to generate data and policy recommendations to attract greater investment into Africa’s creative sector. ALSO READ: Move Afrika expands impact in Kigali with local talent, training initiatives Hugh Evans, the co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen, described Doja Cat’s involvement as a major milestone for the tour’s expansion. “We are honored to welcome Doja Cat as the headliner for Move Afrika 2026,” he said, noting that she has delivered standout performances at major Global Citizen events worldwide. RDB Chief Executive Officer Jean-Guy Afrika welcomed the tour’s return, saying it aligns with Rwanda’s ambition to become a leading destination for live entertainment in Africa. “This partnership supports our vision of Rwanda as a premier destination for live entertainment, one that creates jobs for young people, unlocks new economic opportunities, and delivers lasting benefits for Rwanda and the continent as a whole,” he said.
