VerveLife 8.0: How Verve Transformed Fitness into Africa’s Biggest Lifestyle Movement
The 2025 edition of VerveLife, themed ‘Elev8’, was an energy explosion that cemented its status as Africa’s biggest fitness party and a burgeoning Pan-African movement. Powered by Verve, Africa’s leading payment cards and digital tokens brand, the grand finale saw approximately ten thousand fitness lovers, lifestyle enthusiasts, and good-vibes-only folks converge at the iconic Eko Convention Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.
VerveLife 8.0 successfully merged fitness with technology, mobility, and wellness, reflecting the evolving lifestyles of modern consumers. The event, which took place on Saturday, November 1, 2025, raised the bar in scale, production, and energy, demonstrating that it has grown beyond a mere fitness event into a holistic lifestyle movement.
Elevating the Movement: Vision and Culture
For the Interswitch Group, VerveLife is not just about physical activity; it is about building a community and championing a culture of wellness across the continent.
Over the years, VerveLife has grown beyond just a fitness event into a holistic lifestyle movement.
The scale of this shift was recognized by the leadership team. Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President, Group Marketing and Corporate Communications, Interswitch Group, highlighted the cultural impact: “VerveLife has officially evolved from a fitness event to a movement. It continues to unite people through energy, wellness, and community. Every year, we see stronger participation, deeper connections, and greater enthusiasm from attendees across Africa who share a passion for healthy living and self-improvement. At Interswitch, through our leading payment cards and digital tokens brand—Verve—we are proud to provide a platform that not only promotes physical fitness but also encourages balance, motivation, and a spirit of togetherness. This 8th edition, themed ‘Elev8’, truly embodies the Verve spirit, rewarding resilience, celebrating fitness, and inspiring people to live fully. It’s about pushing beyond limits and celebrating every milestone and victory. We’re delighted to see VerveLife become an avenue where fitness meets fun, where hard work meets reward, and where people connect over a shared drive to be better every day,”.
The Interswitch Group further affirmed the success, stating: “We didn’t just raise the bar; We completely #ELEV8ed it”.
Sweat, Passion, and Purpose: The Trainer Journeys
VerveLife 8.0 featured a star-studded lineup of elite trainers from across Africa, including Kemen, Trebla, Mayorfit, BodybyJane, CeeJay Kimani, King of Squats (KOS), Mamiki Slayqueen, Queen Fitnass from South Africa, Alvin Lee from Kenya, Sandra, Dolapo, Macblake, Benfit, TL Funky, HSP Aesthetics, Dami among others.
The event’s success stems from the genuine passion of its community and trainers, many of whom have witnessed the event’s monumental growth firsthand.
Trainer JaneDoveyy, who progressed from an attendee at VerveLife 1.0 and 2.0 to backing up a lead trainer at 3.0, and finally becoming a lead trainer at 8.0, reflected on the sheer magnitude of the latest edition. She noted that her debut as a lead trainer at 8.0 was everything and more: “My debut at Africa’s Biggest Fitness Party—VerveLife 8.0 #Elev8 2025 was everything and more. I was honoured to have shared the stage as one of the lead trainers, moving, flowing, and connecting with the most beautiful crowd”. She added, emphasizing the brand’s exponential growth: “I’ve seen every VerveLife season—from the eyes of an attendee, a dreamer, and from the heart of a lead trainer—and I can boldly say this: 8.0 changed everything. The growth, the scale, the production, the energy—it was a breathtaking out-of-body experience”.
For coaches like Coach Trebla, the event signaled a major cultural shift in Nigeria and Africa: “Watching thousands gather not for a concert or a celebrity show, but for fitness and health felt powerful. It was more than an event; it was a statement. It showed that people are beginning to value what truly matters: that movement, wellness, and community are becoming part of who we are. We’re not just working out anymore; we’re building a lifestyle, a tribe, a future where health is celebrated just like music and art”.
The movement is also deeply inspirational, proving that dreams rooted in consistency and authenticity can be realized. Queen Fitnass from South Africa, who led thousands of people through a workout, shared her journey: “Still in awe of this moment, leading thousands of incredible people through a fun workout in Nigeria at Africa’s biggest fitness party. From not knowing what I want to do with my life to living my purpose, inspiring people through my love and passion for fitness. I’m proof that dreams really do come true when you stay consistent and authentic to who you are”. She concluded with an empowering message: “If I can do it, so can you. Dream big, stay real, and never stop showing up for yourself”.
Other trainers shared equally powerful testimonies of transformation. CeeJay Kimani noted the extensive reach of the movement: “This year has been a remarkable one, traveling across different states in Nigeria, being featured in several VerveLife activations, meeting incredible people, sharing my passion for wellness, and inspiring lives through fitness and positive energy. Each city had its own story, its own energy, and its own testimony”. Similarly, Dami transitioned from being a mere attendee in 2021 to a trainer and model at the 2025 edition: “VerveLife 8.0 was indeed an Elevation for me.”
Reward, Resilience, and Integration
VerveLife 8.0 was preceded by a series of vibrant satellite events across Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya. The grand finale in Lagos featured a robust lineup of fitness performances, obstacle course challenges, and breakout sessions, including a nutrition and lifestyle masterclass. A fully equipped kiddies’ corner ensured that nobody was left out.
The event deeply integrated brand partners such as Google Play, Interswitch, Quickteller, Hygeia HMO, Amstel, Reelfruit, and Chery Automobile. Quickteller, for instance, offered exciting booth activities and giveaways.
In a major display of customer loyalty and reward, Verve and its partners elevated the lives of lucky attendees. All participants had to do was link their Verve Cards to Google Play and perform a transaction to qualify for major prizes. After hours of sweat and adrenaline, Chidera Nkem drove away in a brand-new car (courtesy of Verve x Google Play and Carloha Chery), while Peter Alfred and Paul Amedu each went home with ₦1 million.
Blakefitnesss, who noted that the VerveLife team “truly took it to the roof”, expressed appreciation for the visionaries who are “constantly pushing the limits and shaping something bigger than fitness. You’re building culture”.
The Afterparty: Fitness Meets Fun
The festivities reached their climax with an electrifying after-party that blended fitness celebration with music and lifestyle. The vibes were unmatched, featuring performances by King Ojem, Shoday, Alternate Sound, and the LOUD Choir, before the legendary Timaya shut down the stage. The Quickteller InsomniaQ Hour, featuring DJ Toh Bad, also kept the crowd moving. DJs X-Ray, Maze & Xtreme, Toh Bad, and Crowd Kontroller spun back-to-back hits, keeping the energy rolling deep into the night. Nigeria’s top celebrities, including Tobi Bakre, Broda Shaggi, Timi Dakolo, and Dr. Sid, also joined in on the fun.
As the curtain falls on 8.0, the excitement for the next season is already mounting, as attendees are optimistic that if VerveLife 8.0 brought this much heat, VerveLife 9.0 is going to be a whole new level of epic.