The first Black British female reggae artist to have a number one in the UK; a feminist trio from Togo with a transcendent live show; and an Afrofuturist singer-songwriter will play Africa Oyé ’26 this June.

Janet Kay, Nana Benz Du Togo, and Kizaba join the three artists already announced for Africa Oyé ’26 – eco-punks Fulu Miziki, Afrobeats heavyweight Patoranking, and the Afrofuturist chanteuse Fatoumata Diawara.

Janet Kay, known as the ‘Queen of Lovers Rock’, makes her Oyé debut in 2026. The multi-award winning artist is best known for her stellar hit single ‘Silly Games’, which placed her in the Music Guinness Book of Records as the first Black British born female reggae artist to hit the top of the UK Pop Charts.

As a ‘sixties child’, Kay was exposed to the singing greats – especially those from the Tamla Motown stable – and her love for singing was born. She has since been produced by a host of legendary producers/artists, including the late great Alton Ellis, Jackie Mitto and Sugar Minot.

Also announced to perform as part of Oyé’s Sunday line-up is Nana Benz Du Togo. The group consists of three formidable feminist voices. Armed with nothing more than their vocals and a vintage Korg keyboard, this powerful ensemble create a unique blend of voodoo tradition and soul.

Afrofuturist singer-songwriter and pioneer of Congolese Electric music Kizaba returns to Oyé in 2026 with a full ensemble, after successfully opening the 2022 festival as a solo artist.

Paul Duhaney, artistic director at Africa Oyé, says: “We’re really excited to announce this latest wave of artists for the festival. Janet Kay is a history making artist with songs that define lovers rock and is the latest in a long list of iconic reggae acts that have played Africa Oyé.

“Nana Benz Du Togo have been on our radar for a while and I’m delighted we could get them over to Liverpool this summer. And Kizaba needs no introduction for anyone who saw his brilliant solo set in 2022. We had the pleasure of seeing his new live show at a WOMEX showcase last year and knew straight away that we had to have him back.”

The UK’s biggest celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture makes its return to Liverpool on 20 and 21 June this summer, following a fallow year in 2025 due to rising infrastructure costs, changing legislation, and the increasingly difficult challenge of keeping the event free.

The organisers are committed to making it as affordable as possible for its audience, with low ticket prices and children under 12 receiving free entry to the event (with a paying adult).

The Africa Oyé festival began back in 1992 as a series of gigs in Liverpool city centre, originally coming out of the monthly ‘Club Corinto’ nights which were produced by the Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign. Its growth over the last 33 years has seen the festival take place in multiple locations including Birkenhead Park, Princes Park, and Concert Square. Africa Oyé has taken place in the picturesque surroundings of Sefton Park since 2002.

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