AFRIMA

The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) are a pan-African music awards ceremony organized by the International Committee of AFRIMA in partnership with the African Union. Founded in 2014, AFRIMA recognizes artistic excellence across all 55 African countries through 37-plus categories spanning regional, genre-based, and continental awards. The 9th edition was held from January 7 to 11, 2026, at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, Nigeria.

How AFRIMA Works

AFRIMA operates a hybrid selection process combining jury evaluation and public voting:

1. Submissions: Artists from any African country can submit entries. The submission period typically opens months before the ceremony.
2. Jury Screening: A 13-member international jury of music professionals evaluates entries based on commercial success, cultural impact, and artistic quality. The jury selects the official nominees across all categories.
3. Public Voting: Fans cast votes online, with each user allowed up to 40 votes per day through the AFRIMA website. Voting for the 9th edition opened on September 10, 2025.
4. Final Tally: The jury's evaluation accounts for 50% of the final result. Public votes account for the remaining 50%.

The ceremony spans five days, including a Welcome Soiree, the Africa Music Business Summit, a Host City Tour and CSR Visit, a Music Village Concert, a Nominees and Industry Party, and the Red Carpet and Grand Awards Night.

Real-World Example: The 9th AFRIMA (2026)

The 9th edition, originally scheduled for November 2025, was postponed to January 2026 after consultations with partners and stakeholders. Held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, the ceremony saw Nigerian artists dominate.

Rema won three awards, the most of any artist: Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, and Best African Artiste in RnB and Soul. Shallipopi won Song of the Year for "Laho" and Best African Collaboration for the "Laho" remix featuring Burna Boy. Burna Boy won Album of the Year for "No Sign of Weakness," released in July 2025.

Other notable winners included Yemi Alade (Best Soundtrack for "You Are" from the animated series Iyanu), Phyno (Best African Hip Hop), and Qing Madi (Most Promising Artiste of the Year). Senegal's Bakhaw Dioum won Songwriter of the Year, and Algeria's DJ Moh Green won Best African DJ.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

AFRIMA accepts submissions from independent artists across all African countries, not just signed acts. The regional categories (Best Male/Female Artiste in Western, Eastern, Central, Southern, and Northern Africa) create opportunities for artists who may not have continental recognition yet but are making an impact in their region.

An AFRIMA nomination or win can significantly boost streaming numbers and media attention across Africa. The ceremony is broadcast across the continent and covered by major outlets including the BBC, Pulse, and Premium Times.

If you are an African artist, submit your work through the AFRIMA website during the open submission period. Ensure your music is properly distributed and registered with a PRO so your performance royalties are tracked. Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate earnings from the streaming boost a nomination can generate.

Related Resources

• Streaming Royalty Calculator - Project revenue from an AFRIMA-driven streaming increase
• PRO (Performance Rights Organization) - Register with a PRO to collect performance royalties across Africa
• 21 Ways Musicians Can Earn Income - Build multiple revenue streams alongside awards recognition
• When and How to Hire a Music Manager - A manager can help with awards submissions and positioning
• What Is an Artist Development Deal - Understand label deals before pursuing awards strategy