The festival’s presence promises a major cultural and economic boost for the region, bringing global stars and thousands of visitors to Portimão
– July 17, 2025 | Text Beatriz Maio | Photos Afro Nation
Praia da Rocha hosted the crowd-pulling Afro Nation festival for the fifth time earlier this month. This year’s edition, which ended last Friday (July 11), brought major international names to the Algarve, including American singer Mary J. Blige, Nigerian stars Burna Boy and Tems, French rapper Booba, and American-Nigerian artist Davido.
Following the success of its first five editions, the festival is set to continue for another five years in Portimão.
The partnership between the festival organisers and the Portimão Municipal Council has resulted in an agreement extending through 2030. As part of the deal, Afro Nation will support the municipality’s New Year’s Eve programme with an annual contribution of around €70,000, the city council revealed.
The decision was based on the festival’s substantial contribution to raising the profile of the municipality and the region, as well as its “very significant, direct, and expressive economic impact on the local and regional economy”, said Portimão mayor Álvaro Bila.
The mayor described the festival’s impact as “highly positive”, noting that it attracts tourists with “high spending power”, which benefits sectors such as hospitality, restaurants, retail, car rentals, and tourist entertainment.
Apart from bringing Praia da Rocha to life at the start of the summer and strengthening Portimão’s position as a premier event destination, Afro Nation also provides a kind of international exposure that would be impossible through public funding alone, the mayor pointed out.
Festivalgoers from all over the world travel to the Algarve for what’s known as the “world’s biggest Afrobeats festival”, which showcases the region’s hospitality, cuisine, natural beauty, and authenticity.
“Portimão offers a unique experience. Visitors discover a vibrant, welcoming town with a diverse range of attractions that enrich the festival experience,” the mayor stressed.
Despite the last-minute cancellation by American singer and rapper Chris Brown, crowds remained just as energised and excited. The city once again came alive with colour, sparkle, and smiles to celebrate African music and culture, with more than 30 artists performing across genres such as Afrobeats, Amapiano, Hip Hop, and R&B.
The first edition, held in 2019, attracted over 25,000 people, mainly from the United Kingdom. The festival was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions. In 2022, 2023, and again this year, around 40,000 revellers were registered.
Article originally published on Portugal Resident.
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