Ghanaian global icon Stonebwoy brought the fire to Ethiopia this past weekend as he headlined the Africa Connect Festival in Addis Ababa. The three-day celebration of African music, unity, and culture drew thousands of fans from across the continent and the diaspora, with Stonebwoy’s performance becoming the undeniable highlight of the event.
The Grammy-nominated dancehall and Afropop artist, known for hits like Activate, Into The Future, and Run Go, delivered an electrifying set that fused reggae, Afro-dancehall, highlife, and live instrumentation, proving yet again why he remains one of Africa’s most celebrated music exports.
> “Africa is rising, and music is our bridge,” Stonebwoy declared mid-performance, waving the Ghana flag. “We are one people, one sound, one heartbeat.”
---
🌍 A Festival of Unity and Sound
Held at the Friendship Square in Addis Ababa, the Africa Connect Festival 2025 featured a lineup of over 40 artists from 15 African countries, including:
Fireboy DML (Nigeria)
Ami Faku (South Africa)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Sauti Sol (Kenya)
Nikita Kering' (Kenya)
DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)
The festival was not only about music but also about promoting African unity, supporting emerging creatives, and boosting the visibility of African entertainment on the global stage.
---
📣 Stonebwoy’s Message: One Africa, One Sound
Backed by a full live band and dancers, Stonebwoy’s set stood out for its high-energy transitions, conscious lyrics, and deep cultural roots. He paid tribute to African legends like Lucky Dube and Fela Kuti, and ended his performance with a call for African collaboration in the music industry.
> “Our time is now. From Accra to Lagos, Addis to Jo’burg — let’s tell our stories loud,” he said.
Social media lit up after Stonebwoy's performance, with the hashtags #AfricaConnect2025, #StonebwoyLive, and #GhanaToTheWorld trending across Twitter and Instagram in multiple countries.