• Mohamed Ramadan plays to fans at the All Africa Festival 2021 in Dubai. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
    Mohamed Ramadan plays to fans at the All Africa Festival 2021 in Dubai. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
  • Excited fans turn out in force to see the Egyptian rapper.
    Excited fans turn out in force to see the Egyptian rapper.
  • MC Smiley at the festival, which was held at Burj Park, Downtown Dubai.
    MC Smiley at the festival, which was held at Burj Park, Downtown Dubai.
  • Sammy Young with his band at the festival.
    Sammy Young with his band at the festival.
  • Festivalgoers at Downtown Dubai event.
    Festivalgoers at Downtown Dubai event.
  • Ruth Njenga, left, and Zoe Marie at the festival.
    Ruth Njenga, left, and Zoe Marie at the festival.
  • A chilled-out crowd enjoy the festival vibes.
    A chilled-out crowd enjoy the festival vibes.
  • The inaugural All Africa Festival.
    The inaugural All Africa Festival.
  • The crowd warms up as the music gets into full swing.
    The crowd warms up as the music gets into full swing.
  • A diversity of entertainment is on offer at the event.
    A diversity of entertainment is on offer at the event.
  • Food trucks stationed throughout the festival serve a variety of cuisines.
    Food trucks stationed throughout the festival serve a variety of cuisines.
  • Festivalgoers enjoy the evening's music.
    Festivalgoers enjoy the evening's music.
  • Nana-Serwa Mancell, owner of Veghana, a restaurant selling West African vegan cuisine.
    Nana-Serwa Mancell, owner of Veghana, a restaurant selling West African vegan cuisine.
  • Veghana's spinach and egusi (melon- seed) stew with fonio plantain.
    Veghana's spinach and egusi (melon- seed) stew with fonio plantain.
  • Vegan chocolate cake from Veghana.
    Vegan chocolate cake from Veghana.
  • Veghana's plantain and beans with gari foto.
    Veghana's plantain and beans with gari foto.
  • Veghana's Ghana jollof with fried plantain.
    Veghana's Ghana jollof with fried plantain.
  • Tahini and oat chocolate chop cookies, right, and pineapple and ginger muffins from Veghana
    Tahini and oat chocolate chop cookies, right, and pineapple and ginger muffins from Veghana
  • African jewellery designs by Bertha on sale at the All Africa Festival.
    African jewellery designs by Bertha on sale at the All Africa Festival.
  • African jewellery by Bertha at the event.
    African jewellery by Bertha at the event.
  • Works by artist Alexander Isokari on sale at the All Africa Festival.
    Works by artist Alexander Isokari on sale at the All Africa Festival.

Culture

Music

Mohamed Ramadan, MC Smiley and Sammy Young perform at All Africa Festival

The overarching event is showcasing food, fashion, culture and music from across the continent

Selina Denman
Selina Denman

October 22, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

From West African vegan cuisine to Afrobeats, art and jewellery, the All Africa Festival is in full swing.

Taking place at Dubai’s Burj Park until Saturday, the inaugural event aims to be the biggest regional celebration of African arts and culture. “This is why we are doing it in the heart of Dubai and in one of the most multicultural cities in the world,” festival co-founder Nina Olatoke told The National.

“A lot of the time, African festivals are hidden on the other side of town because it felt like we didn't want to be noisy and offend the neighbours. This time, we will bring the culture to the forefront and celebrate its diversity.”

The festival’s ambition was reiterated on Thursday night when Egyptian superstar Mohamed Ramadan took to the stage. Fans gathered en masse to enjoy his show, as well as those by a string of high-profile African performers, including MC Smiley and Sammy Young.

Entertainment scheduled for Friday evening includes a theatrical performance, Legend of Njeri, produced by Nigerian film and theatre director Olabisi Akinbinu, which starts at 7.30pm.

Updated: October 22, 2021, 9:37 AM