To celebrate Africa Day on Monday May 25, 2020 and to support in the fight against Covid-19,
YouTube & ViacomCBS Networks Africa (creators of MTVBase) partner not just to deliver the biggest e-concert in Africa, but also to spur Africans to come together to join efforts in the fight of a common enemy.
The Africa Day Benefit concert, a 2-hour live concert, aired on the MTVBase Youtube channel and was hosted by Idris Elba (who had earlier tested positive for the Coronavirus, but has since recovered).
Through the pandemic, what is possible with technology has been tested and stretched, and ViacomCBS in collaboration with Youtube have put those possibilities to use in service of the African continent.
Africans, within Africa and in the diaspora came together in unifying force, not only to entertain, but to celebrate the African continent and raise funds to be donated to the UNICEF and World Food Program, in support of communities across Africa who have been affected by the pandemic.
Performances by Davido, Sautisol, Kida Kudz, Teni, Cobhams, Timi Dakolo, M.anifest, Adekunle Gold, Niniola, Scorpion Kings, Burna Boy, and other artists across Africa, were intercepted by hopeful messages from stars across Africa and the world, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Falz, Zozibini Tunzi, Bonang Matheba, Jidenna, Omari Hardwick, Fat Joe, Spike Lee among many others.
Alex Okosi, YouTube’s Managing Director of Emerging Markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa shared in a statement, “YouTube is proud to be a platform for the amazing talent that have come to celebrate Africa Day and play a role in helping raise funds for those affected by Covid-19 on the continent,”
Over 300,000 people tuned in to watch the live event.
Africa Day is a celebration of African Union, formerly the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), and its success in the fight against colonialism in Africa. The Organization of African Unity was established on May 25, 1963, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
