Tekno Recasts Romance As Everyday Fuel On ‘Powerbank’ With Nollywood In The Frame

Tekno’s new single “Powerbank” arrives with a simple metaphor and a tightly executed rollout. Produced by longtime collaborator Selebobo, the track frames affection as steady recharge and builds a mid-tempo afropop groove around that idea.

The writing leans playful rather than grandiose, and the arrangement leaves space for melody and call-and-response hooks that have defined much of Tekno’s mainstream appeal since “Pana.” It’s an accessible, radio-ready record that fits neatly alongside his recent singles while nudging the subject matter toward quiet commitment rather than spectacle.

The video, directed by Kemz and shot in Abuja, extends that balance of lightness and narrative. Casting Nollywood star Regina Daniels opposite Tekno adds instant recognisability and a clear story spine: flirtation, banter, and a brisk set-piece car chase that keeps the clip moving without overwhelming the song.

The choice to place a pop single inside a Nollywood-styled mini-drama feels intentional, it situates “Powerbank” within a broader Nigerian screen culture and plays to audiences who value storyline as much as choreography. Nothing here reinvents the music-video form, but the chemistry between the leads and the clean edit make the concept readable at a glance.

“Powerbank” also slots into a busy twelve months for Tekno. Released via his Cartel Music and emPawa Africa joint venture, it follows the viral traction of “Alhaji” (the campaign cites 10 million streams and over 30,000 TikTok creations) and a run that’s included “Wayo,” “Jericho,” and “Pounds & Dollars.”

Tekno has called this his “most intentional era yet,” and there’s evidence of that in the measured songwriting and consistent collaborator set - Selebobo here, with recent credits from other afrobeats mainstays across the period. The single doesn’t chase the maximalist highs of “Buga”; instead it aims for durability and replay value.

Context helps explain the strategy. With more than three billion streams to his name, headline credits across Africa, Europe, and North America, and high-profile writing/production work (Davido’s “If”; Swae Lee & Drake’s “Won’t Be Late”), Tekno has little to prove on volume or reach.

The press materials also point to co-signs from global stars and a rack of awards and nominations. Against that backdrop, “Powerbank” reads as consolidation: a song built on familiar rhythmic DNA, sharpened by a relatable hook, and paired with visuals that cross-pollinate afrobeats and Nollywood audiences.

Whether “Powerbank” becomes the dominant afropop love song of the 2025 summer will depend on how far the metaphor and the video’s storyline travel beyond core fans. On its own terms, though, it’s a tidy, good-faith entry in Tekno’s catalogue - tuneful, unfussy, and clear about what it wants to do: celebrate the kind of relationship that steadies rather than overwhelms.

Watch the video for “Powerbank” below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_J-UTs6Fwk