Source: WeLovEya : Tout savoir sur le festival urbain et afrobeat
The WeLovEya Festival 2025 is set to make history in Cotonou this December with a rare joint headlining appearance by Afrobeats titans Davido and Wizkid. With over 50,000 fans expected at Place de l’Amazone, this guide covers everything from last-minute tickets and travel logistics to the confirmed lineup for the year’s biggest cultural event.
Quick Facts:
- Dates: Saturday, December 27 – Sunday, December 28, 2025
- Venue: Place de l’Amazone (Amazon Square), Cotonou, Benin
- Festival Hours: Doors open at 5:00 PM (17h); performances run late into the night.
- Headliners: Davido, Wizkid, and the newly added Burna Boy.
- Official Tickets: Available via authorized partner e-ticket GSM Benin or the official festival site.
Why this edition matters
The 2025 edition of WeLoveYa (officially stylized as WeLovEya) is historically significant because it brings together Davido and Wizkid on the same festival bill, a rarity that has sparked massive excitement across the continent. While both have performed at major global venues, sharing a stage in West Africa for a dedicated festival underscores Cotonou’s rising status as a music capital. The addition of Burna Boy to the lineup further elevates this into a “Big 3” unified showcase, a powerful statement of Afrobeats’ global dominance.
Complete lineup & daily running order (what we know)
Official set times are typically released 48 hours before the show. Based on confirmed announcements, here is the projected schedule:
| Date | Stage | Time Window | Artist / Activity |
| Dec 27 | Main Stage | 5:00 PM | Doors Open / DJ Sets |
| Dec 27 | Main Stage | Late Evening | Burna Boy (Confirmed Headliner) |
| Dec 27 | Main Stage | Support | Local Beninese acts (e.g., Fanicko, Vano Baby) |
| Dec 28 | Main Stage | 5:00 PM | Doors Open / DJ Sets |
| Dec 28 | Main Stage | Prime Time | Wizkid |
| Dec 28 | Main Stage | Closing Set | Davido |
Note: Set times are subject to change. Check the official Instagram for the final “Ordre de Passage” on Dec 26.
Source: Dates et artistes invités à Weloveya troisième édition
How to buy, types, prices, resale, what to avoid
Tickets are selling fast given the high-profile lineup.
- Where to Buy: Use the official portal at eticket.gsmbenin.com or the festival’s main site to avoid scams.
- Ticket Types: Options typically include General Admission (Standard) and VIP (Gold/Platinum) which offer elevated views and dedicated bars.
- Safety Warning: Avoid buying PDF tickets from third parties on X (Twitter) or Facebook, as duplicates are easily scammed. Stick to authorized resellers listed on the festival’s Instagram.
Travel & entry for U.S. & African travelers
- Airports: Fly into Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport (COO), which is a short drive from the city center.
- Visas: Benin offers a straightforward e-visa system for many nationalities. U.S. citizens and many African passport holders should apply online at the official Benin e-visa portal at least 7 days in advance. ECOWAS citizens can generally enter visa-free with a valid passport or ID.
- Arrival Window: Aim to land by December 26 to settle in and handle any currency exchange.
- Flight Tips: Travelers from Lagos often prefer the short flight (approx. 45 mins) over the land border crossing due to unpredictability at the Seme border. Direct flights from major hubs like Abidjan, Accra, and Paris (via Air France/Corsair) are also available.
Source: WeLovEya 2025 : 72 000 Festivaliers Présents à la Place de l’Amazone
Where to stay & how to get to Place de l’Amazone
- Neighborhoods: Haie Vive and Cocotiers are popular, expat-friendly areas with restaurants and nightlife, located relatively close to the venue.
- Hotels:
- Prime: Sofitel Cotonou Marina (often hosts artists) or Novotel Orisha.
- Mid-Range: Golden Tulip Le Diplomate.
- Budget: Look for guest houses in the Haie Vive district.
- Getting to the Venue: Place de l’Amazone is a major landmark featuring the massive Amazon statue.
- Ride-Hailing: Gozem is the local “Uber” for motorcycle taxis (zemidjans) and cars. It is safe, reliable, and price-fixed.
- Traffic: Expect heavy congestion on Boulevard de la Marina around 4 PM. Plan to arrive early.
On-site: food, safety, medical, accessibility
- Food & Drink: The festival hosts a food village serving local Beninese street food (like igname pilée or grilled fish) and continental options. Payments are often cashless (Mobile Money or Festival wristband top-up), so have backup cash (CFA Francs).
- Safety: Security screenings are rigorous at the entrance. Metal detectors are standard.
- Medical: Red Cross or emergency medical tents are stationed near the main crowd barriers. Stay hydrated; Cotonou is humid in December.
- Accessibility: The venue is an open plaza. While flat, crowd density can make wheelchair navigation difficult near the stage. Viewing platforms are usually available for VIP/accessible ticket holders.
Davido & Wizkid: the performances
- Wizkid: Expect a set heavy on his Morayo era and classics like “Ojuelegba.” His recent shows have focused on musicality and live band arrangements.
- Davido: Known for high energy, Davido will likely bring a full entourage and dancers. Look out for “Timeless” hits and potentially a joint stage moment if the stars align.
- Surprises: With Burna Boy also in town for the festival, rumors of a “Big 3” on-stage reunion are swirling, though not confirmed.
Practical timeline for attendees (checklist)
- 10–7 days out (Now): Confirm e-visa approval, print flight itineraries, and double-check hotel bookings.
- 3–1 days out: Download the Gozem app for transport. Withdraw CFA Francs (cash is king for small vendors). Save your e-ticket to your phone (“Files” app) for offline access.
- Day-of: Arrive by 4:30 PM to beat the entry queues. Bring a portable charger and stay hydrated. Agree on a specific meeting point with friends (e.g., “The Amazon Statue’s left foot”) as cell service may jam.
Anand Subramanian is a freelance photographer and content writer based out of Tamil Nadu, India. Having a background in Engineering always made him curious about life on the other side of the spectrum. He leapt forward towards the Photography life and never looked back. Specializing in Documentary and Portrait photography gave him an up-close and personal view into the complexities of human beings and those experiences helped him branch out from visual to words. Today he is mentoring passionate photographers and writing about the different dimensions of the art world.
