French Montana and Davido headline powerhouse concert in Morocco ahead of AFCON kick-off
Morocco will open the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations with a major musical spectacle as global stars French Montana and Davido lead a high-profile concert at the OLM Souissi Fan Zone in Rabat on Saturday, 20 December.
CAF, TotalEnergies and the Kingdom of Morocco have unveiled what is described as one of the most ambitious entertainment programmes ever staged alongside the tournament, turning the build-up to AFCON 2025 into a continental celebration of music, culture and football.
The concert, which begins at 18:00 local time, brings together some of the biggest names in African and international music, including Moroccan rising star Douaa Lahyaoui, the rapidly emerging Says’z and the hugely popular Lartiste.
Organisers say the line-up reflects their aim of promoting African unity, creativity and youth, one day before the continent’s biggest sporting event kicks off.
Morocco preparing to set the tone before the first whistle
Before a ball is kicked at AFCON 2025, Morocco intends to showcase its cultural energy through a mixture of urban sounds, Afrobeats, pop and traditional influences. The Rabat show is positioned as the signature event of the opening weekend, designed to bring fans together from across Africa and beyond.
French Montana: a global icon returning home
French Montana, the US-based rapper born in Morocco, will headline the show in what organisers describe as a symbolic homecoming. The artist has built a massive global following with chart-topping albums such as Excuse My French and Jungle Rules, and international hits including Unforgettable, which has earned billions of streams.
A regular presence at major award ceremonies such as the BET Awards and Billboard Music Awards, French Montana brings global visibility to the opening celebrations and is expected to deliver one of the most high-profile performances of the evening.
Davido: the face of Afrobeats on the world stage
Nigerian superstar Davido will also take centre stage in Rabat. One of Africa’s most influential modern artists, he has shaped the rise of Afrobeats internationally through acclaimed albums A Good Time, A Better Time and Timeless.
With worldwide tours, hundreds of millions of streams and accolades from the MTV Africa Music Awards, BET Awards and the Headies, Davido’s presence underscores the continental pride Morocco hopes to project at AFCON 2025.
Douaa Lahyaoui: the voice of Morocco’s new generation
Moroccan singer Douaa Lahyaoui has become one of the country’s most prominent young talents, blending pop, urban influences and Moroccan identity. Her songs have amassed tens of millions of views online, and she has already appeared at several major international events.
Her participation in the opening festivities is intended to highlight Morocco’s cultural dynamism and promote home-grown talent on a global stage.
Says’z: rising star with a modern urban sound
Says’z, known for his blend of rap, urban pop and African contemporary influences, is one of the most rapidly emerging names on digital platforms. With a strong social media following and energetic live performances, he represents a new wave of African artists connected to global trends while maintaining strong cultural roots.
He is expected to bring high tempo and youthful energy to the Rabat fan zone.
Lartiste: a fusion of cultures and generations
Franco-Moroccan artist Lartiste adds further diversity to the line-up. Known for mixing genres, languages and cultures, he has produced several gold and platinum-selling singles and albums, amassing hundreds of millions of views across Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
His performance aligns with AFCON 2025’s broader vision: a tournament built on diversity, exchange and shared experience.