
Tyla and Ayra Starr to headline major US festival
Tyla from South Africa and Ayra Starr from Nigeria will perform at New York City’s Global Citizen Festival.

The 2025 Global Citizen Festival will return to New York City’s Central Park on September 27.
Africa’s stars Ayra Starr from Nigeria and Tyla from South Africa will take center stage, joining a lineup of major international performers.
WHO ELSE WILL BE AT GLOBAL CITIZEN WITH TYLA AND AYRA?
A few tried and tested acts when it comes to large arenas will be joining these African giants. Namely, The Weeknd, Shakira, and Mariah the Scientist.
“I’m honoured to headline the incredible Global Citizen Festival in Central Park this September. Music has always been my way of connecting with people and leaving a mark on the world. I can’t wait to perform, unite, and inspire action,” said Colombian popstar Shakira.
Tyla and Ayra will lend their celebrity and talents to this spectacle as ambassadors of the resurgence of African pride and preference as it pertains to the sonics of the continent.
WOLVERINE WILL HOST THE GLOBAL CITIZEN FESTIVAL
Australian actor and Hollywood favourite Hugh Jackman will host the Global Citizen Festival for the eleventh time, bringing his star power back to the stage.
Best known for his role as Wolverine in the X-Men films, Jackman will lead the event, which continues to promote unity and inspire activism through music and the arts. The long-standing Global Citizen Ambassador highlighted how this event has a mechanism attached to it in which fans can earn tickets. This can be done by showing an interest in pertinent global issues via the Global Citizen application.
“The growing impact of Global Citizen touches every corner of the world. I’m eager to advocate alongside ambassadors, performers, and world leaders,’’ Jackman intimated.
A PARTY FOR A GOOD CAUSE MAKES SENSE, BUT WHAT ARE THE GLOBAL ISSUES AT HAND?
The 2025 festival agenda aims to achieve three key goals. The organisers plan to provide energy access to one million people in Africa. They also intend to allocate $200 million (3.58 billion ZAR) to conserve and protect 30 million hectares of the Amazon rainforest, aiming to safeguard 20 billion trees in this vital region.
Funding quality education for roughly 30 000 children worldwide will also be a matter of concern for Global Citizen.
RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR AFRICA IS ON THE CARDS
Festival organisers are going all out with their social investment initiatives, with $1.5 billion (R26 billion) being invested towards training 50 000 young Africans in renewable energy strategies.
EUROPE IS LOOKING TO PROVIDE AID TO AFRICA THROUGH THIS EVENT
The European Commission and the governments of Denmark, Australia, and the UK have committed to infrastructure initiatives that could provide power to homes, schools, and hospitals for over a million people.
FIFA AND GLOBAL CITIZEN TO COLLABORATE
Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) will also participate in this event. The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund plans to provide children with reading and writing tools by using ticket sales from major global events and seeking donations from philanthropists.
With so much promised, especially for Africa, many are watching these initiatives closely. While the charitable efforts will attract public attention alongside the featured talent, many wonder if the funding will actually reach the communities it’s intended to help.