The inaugural AFRO EUFORICO Festival brought together musicians, football teams, fashion contestants and members of African communities in Portugal’s Algarve region as its grand finale was held in Faro on August 29, organisers said.

The event took place at Teatro das Figuras and was organised by Associação Afro Euforico as a platform promoting African culture, tourism and cultural exchange between Africa and Europe.

Participants and guests from Portugal, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde were among those involved in the festival, which featured music, sport, fashion and other cultural activities.

The musical event was initially expected to feature Nigerian singer Brymo, whose real name is Olawale Ashimi. However, organisers said challenges related to a Portuguese embassy appointment prevented his participation.

The event was instead headlined by BMAN, also known as Kingsley Mbilitem, and The Rebellious Zombies. Other performers included Raquelle Gracie, YZY Weezy, DJ Baruba and DJ Mulaton.

One of the festival’s major activities was the inaugural AFRO EUFORICO Cup, a football competition involving five teams representing different communities in the Algarve.

Guinea-Bissau, based in Faro, won the competition after defeating Alpinistas 5-1 in the final. Nigeria finished third.

The three leading teams received gold, silver and bronze medals, while the Guinea-Bissau team lifted the inaugural AFRO EUFORICO Festival Cup.

The festival also featured an AFRO EUFORICO Fashion Show, which showcased African fashion and creativity.

Francis Ofre won the male category, while Ogadinma Amaechi, known as Oma of Faro, won the female category. According to organisers, the winners were offered an all-expenses-paid trip to Paris, including a visit to the Eiffel Tower.

Festival founder Jideofor Obidike said the inaugural event faced some operational difficulties, including the late activation of its ticket sales platform.

Despite the challenges, he said the organisers considered the first edition a success and planned to expand the initiative.

“We are pleased with what we have achieved. AFRO EUFORICO has demonstrated that there is strong demand for African cultural experiences in the Algarve,” Obidike said.

He added that AFRO EUFORICO International Conferences were planned for Abuja and the Algarve in 2027.

The festival was organised through a collaboration involving Associação Afro Euforico, Plantel Eufórico and Plantagenet King Limited.

Organisers have also announced plans for the second edition of the festival, which they expect to hold in the Algarve in 2027.

The proposed event will be promoted under the theme, “The Festival Before the Festival”, with organisers planning to schedule it ahead of the 2027 edition of Afro Nation.

The organisers said the timing was intended to attract international visitors travelling to the Algarve for African music and cultural events while promoting Faro and the wider region as destinations for tourism and cultural exchange.