Asake, Tyla & Wizkid to Headline Afro Nation Portugal 2026

Afro Nation has announced its lineup for its 2026 festival in Portugal. Featuring a stacked lineup representing the finest across African music, its headliners are Nigerian superstars Asake and Wizkid, both of whom have previously performed at the festival, and South African superstar artist Tyla, whose work rate has been impressive since her breakout a few years ago. 

The Portugal-held beach party will also feature a special guest performance from American rapper Gunna, whose latest album One of Wun features Afrobeats artists like Burna Boy and Wizkid. Gunna’s single with Burna Boy, “wgft,” is one of this year’s biggest hip-hop-meets-Afrobeats collaborations.

Other artists who’ll be sharing the stage are Nigerian pop veteran Olamide, Kenya’s dynamo Bien, Afropop hitmakers Young Jonn and Darkoo, plus what would surely be an intriguing set from Congolese soukous legend Awilo Logomba. 

And for amapiano, the Piano People stage will be headlined by the accomplished duo of Madumane and Focalistic, with other guests including Daliwonga, Mellow & Sleazy, and Zee Nxumalo. Joining the main LIT Stage and Piano People stage will be a new stage, Afrotonic, a much-welcome celebration of the beautiful intersection of African music and electronic sounds. 

Over the years, we’ve had several memorable moments from Afro Nation, boasting distinct presentations from some of Africa’s biggest names. These four standout moments were especially riveting. 

Asake’s electrifying stage dive in 2023

Going from frontline swagger to the dance-driven showcase of Fuji’s percussive charm, Asake’s performance at the 2023 Afro Nation held in Portugal was everything. He stamped himself as one of Afrobeats’ leading performers, executing every note and move with effortless flourish while carrying the crowd with his impressive tempo. His colored hair and shiny trousers made the image unforgettable: Asake, the superstar, leaping into the crowd. That single move emboldened his reputation, proving the Lagos-born artist would go to any length for an explosive show.

The amapiano maestro: DBN Gogo’s electric set from 2024

Amapiano’s ability to move audiences hasn’t gone unnoticed, as the genre increasingly dominates the soundtrack of major music stages worldwide. Afro Nation hasn’t been any different, with its dedicated Piano People stage having hosted some of the most prodigiously talented ‘Piano acts. DBN Gogo’s set earns its acclaim for its transgenerational depiction of the sound, backed by the enigmatic hypeman whose vivid performance brought flavor to the already poignant performance.

Tems’ set in July 2025 was pure captivating elegance

There’s hardly been a Tems performance where it didn’t seem like she was singing just to you. An intimate performer who knows how to translate her similarly soulful songs, her performance at the 2025 Afro Nation was colorful and controlled. The drummer and guitarist were especially prominent in the sonic engineering, infusing gravitas to her singing. Tems’ vision as a live performer draws focus to her vocals, and on that stage, we’re made even aware of the colossal space she’s carved within contemporary African music.

Burna Boy proves his impressive musical stamina — twice

It’s quite acknowledged that Burna Boy is arguably the greatest live performer of his generation. Regardless of how much he’s stepped on stage — and it’s been a lot — at the end of every performance, you’re bound to pronounce his stamina and artistry. He’s performed more than thrice at the festival, and every showing has been more remarkable than the last. However, his 2022 and 2025 performances were especially riveting, both showing strong stage presence through his rich vocals and dance performances. Delivering a flawless set, he masterfully put his talent for curation and presentation on full display.

See the full lineup of performing artists for Afro Nation 2026 in the flyer below.