Why has Taylor Swift never toured Africa? Despite a huge fanbase, she’s yet to perform on the continent. Could the rising entertainment infrastructure on the continent change that?
While scrolling through social media one evening, I stumbled upon a petition titled “BRING TAYLOR SWIFT THE ERAS TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA!” Garnering over 1,200 signatures, the petition reflected the enthusiasm of South African Swifties, all eager for their idol to finally perform on African soil. This made me wonder: Why has Taylor Swift never toured Africa? And will she ever?
Taylor Swift, one of the world’s most prominent pop artists, has embarked on multiple global tours throughout her career. Notably, none of these tours have included performances in African countries, a fact that has sparked discussions among her fans and industry observers. This article delves into the reasons behind this absence and explores the potential for future tours on the African continent.
Taylor Swift’s Touring History
Since her debut, Swift has headlined six concert tours, each supporting her successive albums. These tours have spanned North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, with select performances in South America. However, Africa has consistently been absent from her tour itineraries. For instance, her most recent endeavor, the Eras Tour (2023–2024), covered five continents but did not schedule any African dates.
African Fanbase and Demand
Despite the lack of tour stops, Swift enjoys a dedicated fanbase in Africa. In South Africa, for instance, she is recognized as the most-streamed artist on Spotify, indicating significant local support. Fans have actively campaigned for her to perform on the continent. A petition titled “BRING TAYLOR SWIFT THE ERAS TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA!” garnered over 1,200 signatures, reflecting the enthusiasm of South African Swifties.
Challenges and Considerations
Several factors may contribute to the absence of African dates in Swift’s tours:
- Logistical and Economic Factors: Touring involves complex logistics, including transportation, venue availability, and economic viability. Promoters may perceive certain markets as less profitable, influencing tour routing decisions.
- Market Prioritization: Artists often prioritize regions with established infrastructure and higher revenue potential. While Africa boasts passionate fans, its markets may be viewed as emerging compared to others.
- Safety and Political Stability: Concerns about safety and political stability can impact decisions to tour in specific regions. However, countries like South Africa have well-established infrastructures capable of hosting major international acts. The 2020 arrest of Nigerian artists Omah Lay and Tems in Uganda during a concert due to alleged COVID-19 regulation violations exemplifies the unpredictability of legal and political issues artists may face when touring Africa. Such incidents may contribute to hesitancy from global superstars like Swift when considering African tour stops.
- Infrastructure Concerns: Recently, singer Chris Brown cited inadequate infrastructure as a reason for not performing in Kenya, despite acknowledging the potential for future concerts if conditions improve. This highlights how logistical challenges can influence an artist’s decision to tour in Africa and suggests that infrastructure improvements could encourage more global acts, including Swift, to consider performances on the continent.
Prospects for Future Tours in Africa
Some African countries have demonstrated their ability to scale infrastructure to host global stars and major events. Nations such as Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa have witnessed significant growth in their entertainment sectors, making them viable destinations for international tours.
The rise of global music festivals like AfroNation and AfroFuture has further demonstrated Africa’s potential as a concert destination. These festivals have successfully hosted some of the world’s biggest stars. Kendrick Lamar headlined Global Citizen’s “Move Afrika” concert in 2024, while John Legend headlined the same concert series in both Kigali, Rwanda, and Lagos, Nigeria, in February 2025, with the Lagos show featuring Simi and DJ Consequence. More impressively, Chris Brown headlined his concert at FNB Stadium last year, proving that Africa is becoming a key player in the global live music scene. Their success proves that Africa can accommodate large-scale musical events, strengthening the case for global artists, including Taylor Swift, to consider performing on the continent in the future.
Additionally, Lagos is taking steps to address infrastructure concerns by building its purpose-built entertainment venue, the Lagos Arena, in Victoria Island. Announced in 2024, this $100 million investment aims to provide a premier destination for concerts, family entertainment, sports, and other events. The 12,000-capacity arena broke ground in late February 2024, signaling Nigeria’s commitment to expanding its ability to host global superstars. This development highlights Africa’s growing readiness to welcome international tours and could play a crucial role in attracting artists like Swift to the continent.
