Spotify has expanded its celebration of African music by releasing the second wave of exclusive performance videos from the 2026 Afro Nation Portugal Festival, featuring electrifying live performances by Nigerian superstars Wizkid, Olamide and Young Jonn.
The streaming platform announced the release in a statement issued on Tuesday in Lagos, saying the latest videos give music lovers around the world another opportunity to relive some of the festival’s most memorable moments.
According to Spotify, the newly released performances include Wizkid’s global hit “Essence,” Olamide’s fan-favourite anthem “Wo,” and Young Jonn’s chart-topping single “Sharpally.” The performances were recorded live at Afro Nation Portugal in Portimão, one of Europe’s premier destinations for the annual Afrobeats festival.
The company explained that the exclusive performances are part of its ongoing partnership as the official streaming partner of Afro Nation Portugal 2026, a collaboration designed to bring fans closer to the continent’s biggest music stars while extending the festival experience beyond the live audience.
Spotify said the performances are available through its dedicated Afro Nation hub, a special section on the platform featuring exclusive live performances, festival highlights, curated playlists, behind-the-scenes content and artist spotlights.
The streaming giant noted that Afrobeats continues to establish itself as one of the world’s fastest-growing music genres, with African artists consistently breaking streaming records and expanding their influence across international markets.
According to Spotify’s latest streaming insights, artists such as Wizkid, Olamide, Young Jonn and South African Grammy winner Tyla continue to attract millions of listeners across Europe, North America, Asia and Latin America, demonstrating the genre’s increasing global appeal.
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The platform revealed that Tyla’s music has gained significant popularity in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil and the Philippines, while Nigerian artists continue to enjoy strong listener growth in major international markets.
Spotify’s Content Marketing Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, Rifumo Mdaka, said the company’s collaboration with Afro Nation reflects its commitment to ensuring African music reaches wider audiences across the globe.
“Afro Nation is the heartbeat of the culture, and we’re amplifying that pulse to every corner of the globe. We aren’t just hosting videos; we’re immortalizing the moments that define the weekend, ensuring fans can relive the energy and connect with these iconic stories long after the lights go down,” Mdaka said.
Afro Nation has become one of the world’s biggest festivals dedicated to Afrobeats, Amapiano, Dancehall, Hip-Hop and Afro-fusion, attracting thousands of music fans annually to Portugal while showcasing some of Africa’s biggest musical exports alongside international stars.
Spotify said the latest release builds on several initiatives aimed at promoting African music globally. Among them is “Afrobeats: Journey of a Billion Streams,” a project highlighting the remarkable rise of Afrobeats through streaming data and key industry milestones.
The company has also launched “Afrobeats: Culture in Motion,” an initiative exploring the evolution of the genre through a documentary series, digital storytelling, fashion exhibitions and cultural showcases that celebrate Africa’s growing creative influence.
Industry analysts say streaming platforms have played a major role in the global expansion of Afrobeats by making African music more accessible to international audiences. Over the past decade, artists including Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, Tems, Asake, Rema and Ayra Starr have achieved global commercial success through collaborations, international tours and streaming growth.
The continued partnership between Spotify and Afro Nation is expected to further strengthen the international visibility of African artists while giving fans worldwide easier access to exclusive live performances from one of the continent’s biggest music festivals.
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