Kigali to welcome afrobeats superstar Rema for Kwita Izina concert
Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Rema will headline the Kwita Izina Concert at BK Arena in Kigali on September 5, following Rwanda’s 2026 gorilla naming ceremony
Multi-award-winning Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Rema will headline the much-anticipated Kwita Izina Concert at BK Arena on Saturday, September 5.
The concert will take place a day after the 21st Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony, scheduled for Friday, September 4, in Kinigi, Musanze District, under the theme “Conservation is Life: Sustaining the Future.”
Rema will be joined by a line-up of opening acts, including Rwandan artiste Kivumbi King, with additional performers expected to be announced.
Rema, whose real name is Divine Ikubor, has grown into one of Africa’s biggest global music stars, rising to fame with hits such as “Dumebi,” “Iron Man,” “Woman,” “Soundgasm,” “Charm” and “Calm Down.”
The remix of “Calm Down” featuring American singer Selena Gomez reached No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of the biggest Afrobeats crossover hits in recent years.
Rema’s major achievements include winning the MTV Video Music Award for Best Afrobeats and the Billboard Music Award for Top Afrobeats Song for “Calm Down.” He was also named Global African Artist and Song of the Year at the 2023 Trace Awards in Kigali.
His 2024 album HEIS earned him his first Grammy nomination, further cementing his status as one of Nigeria’s leading artists on the global stage.
The official Kwita Izina programme lists the BK Arena concert as the culmination of the week-long celebrations, bringing together international and Rwandan artistes.
Irène Murerwa, the Chief Tourism Officer at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), said Kwita Izina goes beyond conservation to celebrate “Rwanda’s culture, people and the progress we continue to make together.”
“We are excited to welcome Rema to Kigali for what promises to be a great night at BK Arena. We invite Rwandans, visitors and music fans from across the region to join us on 5 September as we bring this year’s Kwita Izina celebrations to a memorable close.”
Kwita Izina is one of Rwanda’s signature conservation and tourism events, celebrating the country’s mountain gorilla conservation efforts while bringing together conservationists, tourism leaders, international guests and communities living around Volcanoes National Park.
