Burna Boy’s Return to Kenya: A Testament to Afrobeats’ Meteoric Rise

The first time Nigerian singer Burna Boy landed in Kenya he could barely fill a medium-sized arena nor generate enough hype to hold a well-publicized media tour to promote his upcoming show.
His press conference in Nairobi a few days ago, however, magnified the stack difference between his brand then and now.

Burna Boy is set to make a grand return to Kenya on March 1, 2025, nearly a decade after his last performance in the country. His upcoming show at Uhuru Gardens is not just another concert—it’s a statement on the massive growth of Afrobeats and how the genre has evolved into a global musical powerhouse.

Back in 2016, Burna Boy performed in Kenya for a much smaller audience, earning a modest Ksh 5 million for the gig. At the time, Afrobeats was still on the rise, largely seen as a regional genre with limited mainstream global reach.

Fast-forward to 2025, and Burna Boy is one of the biggest names in music worldwide. This is reflected in his Ksh 65,000 ($503) VVIP ticket prices, a huge upgrade from his previous visit.

The singer now charges Ksh 129 million for a show. That’s 1 million dollars. And it’s just not him. The average price tag of an established Afrobeat artist is between $100,000- $1M showing how the genre has grown immensely since going Global.

A Bigger Stage, A Bigger Brand

The transformation is not just in Burna Boy’s earnings but also in the scale of the event itself. In 2016, Burna’s show was relatively low-key, with minimal production and a much smaller audience.

Now, he’s arriving in Nairobi with his 40-member band, The Outsiders, bringing with him an unmatched live music experience. Fans can expect live instrumentation, dynamic arrangements, and the same high-energy performances that have made Burna one of the most sought-after artists globally.

Kenyan fans have also shown their appreciation for Afrobeats’ growth—early bird tickets sold out within hours, and the show’s venue was upgraded from Nairobi Polo Club to the much larger Uhuru Gardens to accommodate more fans and provide a better experience.

Afrobeats’ Global Takeover

Burna Boy’s return highlights the unstoppable rise of Afrobeats, a genre that has evolved from being a West African phenomenon to dominating global charts. Over the years, African artists like Wizkid, Davido, and Rema have collaborated with international superstars, performed at major global festivals, and even won Grammy Awards—achievements that seemed unlikely just a decade ago.

The fact that Kenya is now hosting such a large-scale Afrobeats event also speaks to the country’s growing role in the global entertainment market. As Madfun Xperience’s managing director, Joy Wachira, put it:

“We are here to prove that Kenya has the capacity to host international events that can compete with the best in the world.”

All the three kings of Afrobeats genre have been signed by top American music labels. Photo: Courtesy

A New Era for Kenya’s Concert Scene

Burna Boy’s concert in 2025 is set to be a benchmark moment for Kenya’s music and entertainment industry that has been stagnat for a long time now. Luxury accommodation at The Tribe Hotel, exclusive partnerships with Uber for discounted rides, and a top-tier lineup featuring local stars like Bensoul and Charisma all point to a new standard for live music experiences in Kenya.

From earning Ksh 5 million in 2016 to now commanding millions more with full-scale production, Burna Boy’s journey mirrors the explosive growth of Afrobeats. His return to Kenya is more than just a performance—it’s a symbol of how far African music has come and how much further it can still go.