Africa Day 2020: Musicians support AU, AFRIMA amid fight against COVID-19

The 2020 Africa Day concert witnessed the presence of musicians from around the continent who pledged solidarity by raising funds for the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The virtual event, which was streamed across electronic and digital media channels in Africa, was staged on Monday by the African Union (AU) alongside the All Africa MusicAwards (AFRIMA).

It witnessed fundraising sessions in support of the AU’s COVID-19 response fund while drawing participation and performances from music talents across the continent and in the diaspora.

After the AU’s official anthem, the event opened with messages from Moussa Faki Mahamat, AU chairperson, and Amira El Fadil, Commissioner for social affairs of the AU commission.

Others are John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centre for Disease Control, and Mike Dada, president/executive producer of AFRIMA.

Aya Chebbi, the AU’s youth envoy, also joined her colleagues to reiterate the importance of collective action and donations towards the AU’s cause of defeating COVID-19 in Africa.

“Whether or not money was raised, the message was eloquently presented, urging viewers to do everything to avoid another coronavirus-related disaster on the continent,” said Rikki Stein, AFRIMA’s international advisor.

Beyond fundraising, a deluge of entertainers took to stage including Nigeria’s Paul Okoye, Senegal’s Pape Diouf, Ghana’s Becca, Salatiel from Cameroon, Morocco’s Aminux, Toofan, and Kenya’s Nikita Kering.

Also present were Sarkodie, 2Baba, Betty G, Ahmed Soultan, Salif Keita, Kanvee Adams, Master KG, Naiboi, DJ Spinall, Lizha James, Nadya Shanab, DJ Moh Green, Busiswa and Daphne.