Afrobeats singer and entrepreneur Mr Eazi has said performing across Africa was more difficult than touring Europe and the United States during the early years of his music career.
He made the disclosure while speaking at the 2026 Africa Prosperity Dialogue, where he addressed the structural barriers facing African creatives and business owners, particularly border restrictions and regulatory bottlenecks.
Reflecting on his journey, Mr Eazi explained that he spent a decade balancing music and entrepreneurship, touring globally as an artist for six years and building businesses over the last four. According to him, the contrast between touring outside Africa and moving within the continent was striking.
He noted that during the first two years of his rise, when his music gained widespread popularity, it was easier to secure performances and move freely in Western countries than within Africa. This remained the case even after he achieved major commercial success on the continent.
Mr Eazi recalled a specific incident at the Kenyan border, where he was denied entry despite being booked and paid to perform at a show. While his band members, who were of different nationalities, were allowed to proceed, he was held back.
He said the experience highlighted a broader issue affecting African integration, adding that such barriers weaken collaboration and limit the continent’s collective growth.
The singer also used the platform to advocate for the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), describing current border systems as obstacles to movement, payments, regulation, and business expansion, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Drawing from his entrepreneurial experience, Mr Eazi revealed that he has invested in businesses operating across 19 African countries. One of the companies, he said, processes about four million transactions daily, demonstrating the scale African businesses can reach when given the right conditions.
He stressed that reducing cross-border restrictions would empower young people and SMEs to grow into pan-African leaders, arguing that deeper connectivity is essential for sustainable development.
Mr Eazi concluded with a call for unity, urging African nations to dismantle barriers that hinder progress. According to him, a borderless and interconnected Africa would not diminish individual nations but strengthen the continent as a whole.
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