The concert at Nairobi's Kasarani was the climax of the two-day Africa Forward Summit that brought together over 30 African Heads of State and up to 4,000 delegates, including major business leaders and entrepreneurs.
The line-up boasted, among others, Fally Ipupa, Youssou Ndou and Kenya’s Bien and Coster Ojwang. Undoubtedly, the star of the night, Fally Ipupa, would unfortunately not grace the stage much to the shock of the nearly 5,000 crowd that had been anticipating the global superstar’s performance. Nation Lifestyle sought to find out why,
When the emcees Claudia Naisabwa and Larry Asego announced that Congolese megastar Fally Ipupa would not be performing at the Africa Forward Le Concert at the Kasarani Indoor Arena, disappointment swept through the packed venue almost instantly.
The concert, organised by Trace East Africa and Safaricom, brought together artistes from across the continent and served as the grand finale to the Africa Forward Summit hosted by Kenya and France.
For many Kenyan fans, Fally was the headline act they had eagerly waited to see.
“Fally… would have loved to be here…” said Larry, as Claudia added that Fally’s doctors advised him to rest. The murmurs quickly turned into loud boos as the crowd struggled to process the unexpected announcement.
At one point, the two emcees were forced to calm the already agitated audience as the technical team attempted to play a video message Fally had reportedly sent to explain his absence.
Unfortunately, the video failed to play due to format issues, further frustrating fans who had waited for hours in anticipation of the Congolese star’s performance.
But even amid the disappointment, the night slowly transformed into a celebration of African music excellence as other artistes stepped up and delivered electrifying performances that kept the energy alive.
At exactly half past midnight, Kenyan superstar Bien-Aimé Baraza took to the stage looking every bit the global performer fans have come to admire.
Kenyan musical performer Bien performs at the Africa Forward Le Concert organised by Trace East Africa and Safaricom at Kasarani Indoor Arena.
Photo credit: Thomas Rajula| Nation Media Group
He wore a crisp white dress shirt layered under a leopard-print waistcoat that immediately became the statement piece of the night.
He paired the look with high-waisted, wide-leg black trousers that created a retro silhouette reminiscent of old-school jazz and soul performers.
Tinted sunglasses, layered jewellery and embellished detailing on the waistcoat perfectly captured Bien’s fearless fashion personality.
The singer commanded the stage with confidence, charisma and vocal brilliance.
He performed his two recent songs, “Finale” and “All My Enemies Are Suffering .”
Bien was among the 13 artists who performed during the Africa Forward Le Concert held on Tuesday, May 12, at the Kasarani Indoor Arena.
Nigerian superstar Yemi Alade also played a huge role in rescuing the mood inside the arena. Taking to the stage shortly after the tense moments surrounding Fally’s absence, Yemi brought explosive energy, powerful vocals and unmatched stage presence.
In the middle of her performance, she passionately spoke about the importance of peace before performing Bob Marley’s iconic reggae anthem, “One Love” , a moment that united the crowd in song and eased tensions in the arena.
Nigerian singer Yemi Alade performing at the Africa Forward Le Concert organised by Trace East Africa and Safaricom at Kasarani Indoor Arena.
Photo credit: Thomas Rajula| Nation Media Group
Speaking to Nation Lifestyle , Trace CEO Olivier Laouchez explained why Fally missed the highly anticipated concert.
“Fally recently performed at one of the biggest shows, selling out the 60,000-capacity Stade de France, and he was supposed to fly directly to Kenya from there, but doctors advised him to rest because of burnout,” he said.
“Fally uses a lot of energy on stage. He is a dancer and performer who gives everything during his shows. After the France concert, he experienced burnout and communicated on Monday that he was on medication and unable to travel. He even recorded a video message for fans, but unfortunately, the file format was damaged, and it could not play during the concert,” he explained.
Despite the setback, Laouchez maintained confidence in the musicians who performed that night.
“The quality of the show was already good, and we knew the artistes on the line-up were exceptional performers. They delivered, and I believe the fans still enjoyed the experience,” he added.
Ugandan legend Jose Chameleone proved exactly that when he stepped on stage to perform timeless classics such as “Valu Valu” and “Wale Wale .”
Ugandan singer Jose Chameleon performing at the Africa Forward Le Concert organised by Trace East Africa and Safaricom at Kasarani Indoor Arena. The concert was held following the conclusion of the two-day Africa Forward summit hosted in Nairobi Kenya.
Photo credit: Thomas Rajula| Nation Media Group
His energy was both infectious and nostalgic. Fans sang along word for word, erupting into cheers with every hit song. The veteran performer reminded many why he remains one of East Africa’s most enduring music icons.
Meanwhile, Savara delivered a solo set that initially struggled to fully ignite the crowd, but he remained determined to engage fans throughout his performance.
The atmosphere shifted beautifully when he later reunited with Bien on stage for a performance of “Suzanna” , one of Sauti Sol’s beloved hits.
The chemistry between the two artists instantly lit up the venue, drawing loud cheers from fans who cherished the nostalgic reunion.
Another standout performer of the night was Coster Ojwang, whose music continues to resonate deeply with audiences for its cultural richness and authenticity.
Kenyan singer Coster Ojwang’ performing at the Africa Forward Le Concert organised by Trace East Africa and Safaricom at Kasarani Indoor Arena.
Photo credit: Thomas Rajula| Nation Media Group
Coster’s attire immediately grabbed attention, especially his signature traditional hat, which complemented his artistic identity and connection to his roots.
His music carried powerful storytelling, blending Luo cultural influences with contemporary sounds in a way that felt timeless and refreshing.
President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron also attended the concert. The two leaders were ushered onto the stage by the Mathare Kids Dancers as the audience cheered. Mr Ruto later described the concert as a magnificent showcase of Africa’s talent and creativity.
“We concluded the 1st Africa Forward Summit with a magnificent celebration of African fashion, music, and dance at the Kasarani Indoor Arena, showcasing some of the continent’s most distinguished designers, acclaimed music stars, and emerging young artistes,” he said.
The concert featured several other African stars, including Senegalese legend Youssou N'Dour, South African singer Nomcebo Zikode of Jerusalema fame, Tanzanian singers Nandy and Abigail Chams, among others.
“The performances were a beautiful expression of the richness and diversity of Africa’s cultural heritage, the immense promise of our continent, and the extraordinary talent, innovation, and creativity of our youth,” Mr Ruto added.
