The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2025 nominations have been officially unveiled, following a monumental 10,717 entries – the highest number received since the awards' inception 12 years ago. After an intensive 10-day adjudication process, a 13-member International Jury meticulously shortlisted 343 nominees across 40 diverse categories, representing all five regions of Africa and the diaspora. The highly anticipated 2025 edition of AFRIMA is set to take place in Lagos, Nigeria, in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Nigerian music titans, Damini 'Burna Boy' Ogulu and David 'Davido' Adeleke, emerged as top contenders, each securing an impressive five nominations. Burna Boy's album 'No Sign of Weakness' and Davido's '5ive' both vied for the prestigious Album of the Year award. Davido's hit single 'With You' further garnered nominations for Song of the Year and Best Collaboration, a category where he featured Omah Lay. Both Afrobeats stars also earned nods in the 'Best Male Artiste in West Africa' and 'Artiste of the Year' categories for their respective singles 'Update' and 'With You'. Burna Boy additionally received a nomination for 'Best African Artiste Duo or Group in African Pop'.

The Nigerian talent pool was further highlighted by fast-rising street-pop sensation Crown 'Shallipopi' Uzama, who clinched four nominations, including Artiste of the Year and Song of the Year for his collaboration 'Laho'. Shallipopi was also recognized in the 'Breakout Artiste of the Year' category, with Progrex, the producer of 'Laho', also securing a nomination for 'Best Producer of the Year'. Other notable Nigerian artists receiving multiple nominations include Rema (three nods, including Artiste of the Year and Best Male in West Africa), and Ayra Starr (two nominations, including Artiste of the Year). Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Ruger, Asake, Wizkid, ODUMODUBLVCK, Phyno, Reminisce, Fireboy DML, Kizz Daniel, Johnny Drille, Gaise Baba, Lawrence Oyor, Mercy Chinwo, and Ada Ehi also featured prominently across various categories, including 'Best Female Artiste in West Africa', 'Best African Reggae, Ragga and Dancehall', 'Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in HipHop', and 'Best Artiste in African Inspirational Music'.

Beyond Nigeria, a wealth of talent from across the continent and the diaspora garnered significant recognition. South Africa's DJ Maphorisa matched the Nigerian heavyweights with five nominations, including Best African DJ and Album of the Year. Morocco's rap star El Grande Toto also secured five nods for his album 'Salgoat' and hit 'Diplomatico'. Senegal's Mia Guissé and Ghana's Moliy each received five nominations, underscoring the growing influence of female artists on the African music scene. Other prominent nominees include Egypt's Amr Diab (four nominations), Côte d'Ivoire's Himra (three nominations, including Album of the Year for 'Big Aka 4 Aka Kai'), Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz (four nominations), South Africa's breakout star Tyla (four nominations), and Eswatini's Uncle Waffles (four nominations), reflecting the rising global popularity of Amapiano and Afro-house sounds. Artists like Didi B (Cote d'Ivoire), Eboloko (Gabon), Emma'a (Central Africa), Fally Ipupa (DR Congo), Ferre Gola (DR Congo), Jaylann (Morocco), Juma Jux (Tanzania), Mawhoo (South Africa), and Nasty C (South Africa) also received multiple nominations, showcasing the broad spectrum of African musical excellence.

The diaspora also shone brightly, with male nominees such as DJ Snake, Gazo, Niska, Tayc, Tiakola, Tif, Werenoi, WizTheMC, L'Algérino, and Odeal making the cut. On the female side, the nominees include Aya Nakamura, Annatoria, Choisie Basolua, Darkoo, Deborah Lukalu, Faouzia, Ronisia, The Unveiled, Theodora, and Zaho, confirming the truly global reach of African music and its influences.

The competition for the 2025 awards promises to be fierce, with established African heavyweight stars facing stiff challenges from rising sensations like Shallipopi, Himra, Moliy, and Juma Jux. Public voting for all categories will open globally on September 10, 2025, via the official AFRIMA website, and will conclude on November 30, the eve of the main awards ceremony. AFRIMA 2025 celebrations, scheduled from November 25 to 30, will encompass a series of events, including the Welcome Soiree, the AFRIMA Music Village, the Africa Music Business Summit, a Host City Tour, the Nominees Party, and culminating in the Main Awards Ceremony. The grand finale on November 30 will be broadcast live to over 84 countries worldwide.

Delani Makhalima, an AFRIMA jury member representing the Southern African region, articulated the profound significance of the 2025 nominees' list. He described it as definitive proof of the immense progress African music has made, stating, "It's been a dream of ours for a long time to work this hard to get to a place where African music can be heard by everyone. We were marginalized for so many years; our voices were not heard as artists, as creators, as songwriters, as producers, as engineers, as video makers, as filmmakers. Twelve years in, we're now here. This is global. This is AFRIMA, the biggest music entity on the face of the continent." This sentiment underscores AFRIMA's role in amplifying African voices and showcasing its rich musical heritage on a global stage.