Nigerian singer and entrepreneur Mr Eazi has spoken candidly about the barriers hindering African unity, revealing that performing within the continent can be more challenging than touring overseas.
Speaking at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues, the award-winning artist reflected on his personal experiences navigating borders across Africa, saying regional restrictions have at times limited his ability to perform.
“It was easier to tour America than Africa,” Mr Eazi said. “I was stopped at the border and prevented from performing in Kenya because I was Nigerian. There’s friction stopping us Africa from uniting and developing.”
Border Barriers and Regional Friction
The singer’s remarks highlight ongoing concerns about mobility, trade, and cross-border collaboration within Africa. While African artists often enjoy relatively streamlined visa processes in Europe and North America, travel within parts of Africa can involve complex permit requirements, visa restrictions, and regulatory hurdles.
Mr Eazi suggested that such obstacles undermine efforts toward continental integration and cultural exchange.
His comments come at a time when African leaders and policymakers are pushing for deeper economic cooperation under frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to boost intra-African trade and movement.
Culture as a Tool for Unity
Known for pioneering the Banku music sound — a blend of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions — Mr Eazi has built a career around cross-cultural collaboration. His music often reflects a pan-African identity, making his remarks particularly significant in conversations about unity.
The artist implied that while African culture travels seamlessly across borders through music and digital platforms, physical and bureaucratic barriers continue to slow down real-world collaboration.
A Call for Integration
Mr Eazi’s experience underscores broader challenges facing African creatives, entrepreneurs, and professionals who seek to work across different countries on the continent.
By sharing his story at a high-level economic forum, the singer shifted attention from entertainment to policy, framing mobility and openness as essential ingredients for Africa’s development.
His remarks have since sparked discussion online about whether African nations are doing enough to support free movement and cultural exchange among their own citizens.
As conversations around integration continue, Mr Eazi’s message was clear: for Africa to fully realise its potential, internal barriers must fall just as easily as those abroad.
