The State of Play: Africa's entertainment and football scene in late 2025
- orpmarketing
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Africa's cultural and sporting landscapes are buzzing with activity as 2025 draws to a close. The continent's entertainment industry continues its global ascent, fueled by major award ceremonies and groundbreaking projects. Meanwhile, African football is preparing for a landmark tournament in Morocco that is sure to draw international attention. Here is a look at the latest developments shaping Africa's vibrant pulse.
Entertainment: African creativity on the rise
Nollywood's global footprint continues to grow
Nigeria's film industry, Nollywood, is a driving force in African cinema, with its film revenues projected to reach $6.7 billion in 2025.
Streaming giant Netflix continues to invest in African content, showcasing local stories to a global audience.
The documentary Wizkid: Long Live Lagos premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2025, capturing the Nigerian star's journey to becoming a global icon.
Accolades for African talent
The iKON Awards expanded its reach to include filmmakers from across the continent, introducing new regional categories for West, East, North, and Southern African films.
At the 7th Africa Choice Awards, reality TV stars and actors like Vuyo Dabula, Thembi Seete, and Zozibini Tunzi are vying for top honors.
A new beat for the music scene
AfroFuture Ghana is set to host a major music festival in Accra in late December 2025, featuring performances from popular artists.
Nigerian Afrobeat artists had a landmark year for music releases, with Davido, Burna Boy, and Olamide all releasing defining albums in 2025.
Other major events include the Jollof Music Concert in Accra, with artists such as Fad Lan and Niiboii-Khali.
Football: Morocco to host a historic AFCON
The TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025
Morocco will host the 2025 AFCON from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The tournament will feature 24 teams across nine venues in six cities, including Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech.
Defending champions Ivory Coast are returning to the tournament, along with powerhouses like Morocco, Algeria, Cameroon, and Nigeria.
Notably, Ghana failed to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 2004, a major disappointment for their national team.
World Cup qualifiers and club competitions
In a redeeming moment for Ghanaian football, the national team secured a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, qualifying at the top of their group.
In the CAF Champions League, preliminary rounds have concluded, and the tournament is advancing to the second preliminary round with teams like Pyramids FC, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns in action.
CAF released its roadmap for inter-club competitions in the 2025/26 season, with the final for the Champions League and Confederation Cup scheduled for May 2026.
Professional blog post: "Africa's double-header of dominance: Cultural creativity and football frenzy"
The stage is set: A continental celebration
As 2025 winds down, Africa is proving to be a cultural and sporting powerhouse. The energy on the continent is palpable, defined by vibrant artistry and fierce athletic competition. The year saw the continent's dynamic entertainment industry solidify its global presence, while its football scene prepared for a historic and highly anticipated tournament. This dual display of talent is not just a passing moment but a powerful statement about Africa's growing influence on the world stage.
Creative industries: Reclaiming the narrative
For years, the African narrative was largely told by outsiders. Today, African creators are reclaiming their stories, with homegrown industries leading the charge. Nollywood is a prime example, continuing its dominance and projected to generate billions in revenue by the end of the year. This success has been bolstered by global platforms like Netflix, which are actively investing in authentic African content, from gripping dramas to insightful documentaries. The acclaim for these projects is widespread, as seen with the documentary Wizkid: Long Live Lagos, which garnered international attention at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Beyond the screen, Africa's music is setting the global rhythm. The Afrobeat genre, in particular, continues to explode in popularity, with Nigerian artists like Davido and Burna Boy releasing chart-topping albums in 2025. These sounds, combined with major events like AfroFuture Ghana, are not only showcasing local talent but also building thriving cultural ecosystems that draw international crowds and investment. From music festivals to film award ceremonies now recognizing pan-African talent, the continent's creative industries are moving from a regional powerhouse to a global force.
Football: A beautiful game, a continental passion
As much as entertainment captures the heart, football captures the soul of the continent. The anticipation for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco is immense. The tournament promises to be a spectacle, with 24 national teams competing for continental glory. This tournament represents more than just a championship; it is a point of continental pride and unity. For some nations, the tournament carries extra weight. While Ghana mourns its absence from the AFCON for the first time in two decades, the nation found redemption by securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Meanwhile, club football is heating up across the continent. The CAF Champions League is well underway, with teams like
and
battling it out in the second preliminary round. The competition highlights the strength and depth of African club football and serves as a vital pipeline for future global stars.
The future is African
Africa's dual ascendancy in entertainment and football is a testament to its innovation, resilience, and unyielding creativity. Both arenas are driving powerful narratives of self-determination and cultural pride. From the box office to the football pitch, Africa is not just participating in global culture; it is shaping it. As we look toward the future, one thing is clear: the continent's creative and sporting energy will continue to captivate audiences and inspire generations for years to come.
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