The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has unveiled its highly anticipated 2025 nominations list, following a record-breaking 10,717 entries – the highest since the awards' inception 12 years ago. A distinguished 13-member International Jury meticulously adjudicated over 10 days, ultimately shortlisting 343 nominees across 40 diverse categories. These nominations celebrate musical talent from Africa's five regions and the diaspora, promising a fiercely competitive edition this year.

Nigerian music heavyweights, Damini 'Burna Boy' Ogulu and David 'Davido' Adeleke, emerged as top contenders, each securing an impressive five nominations. Burna Boy's acclaimed album 'No Sign of Weakness' and Davido's '5ive' are both nominated for Album of the Year. Davido's hit single 'With You' featuring Omah Lay also earned nods for Song of the Year and Best African Collaboration. Both Afrobeats stars are set to compete in the prestigious Artiste of the Year and Best Male Artiste in West Africa categories. Burna Boy further secured a nomination for Best African Artiste Duo or Group in African Pop.

Matching their five nods is South Africa's DJ Maphorisa, recognized in categories including Best African DJ and Album of the Year. Morocco's rap sensation El Grande Toto also garnered five nominations for his work, including the album 'Salgoat' and hit 'Diplomatico'. The rising influence of female acts on the continent's music stage is highlighted by Senegal's Mia Guissé and Ghana's Moliy, who each clinched five nominations.

Nigeria's fast-rising street-pop star, Crown 'Shallipopi' Uzama, secured four nominations, including Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year, and Breakout Artiste of the Year for his collaboration 'Laho'. The song's producer, Progrex, also received a nod for Best Producer of the Year. Other prominent Nigerian artists recognized include Rema, with three nominations (Artiste of the Year, Best Male in West Africa), and Ayra Starr, who earned two nominations and is contending for the Artiste of the Year Award alongside industry giants like Davido, Burna Boy, and El Grande Toto. Tiwa Savage and Ayra Starr are nominated for 'Best Female Artiste in West Africa'. Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage, and Ruger are in the running for 'Best African Reggae, Ragga and Dancehall'. ODUMODUBLVCK and Phyno are recognized in 'Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in HipHop', while Reminisce is nominated for 'Best African Lyricist Rapper'. Fireboy DML, Kizz Daniel featuring Angélique Kidjo, and Johnny Drille appear in the 'Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary'. Gaise Baba, Lawrence Oyor, Mercy Chinwo, and Ada Ehi are nominated for 'Best Artiste in African Inspirational Music'. Newcomers Kunmi and Fola also received nominations for 'Most Promising Artiste of the Year'.

Beyond West Africa, Egypt's best-selling artist Amr Diab scooped four nominations, while Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz continued his East African dominance with four nods. Côte d'Ivoire's Himra picked up three nominations, including Album of the Year for his project 'Big Aka 4 Aka Kai'. South Africa's breakout star Tyla and Eswatini's Uncle Waffles each earned four nominations, affirming the growing global power of amapiano and Afro-house sounds. Côte d'Ivoire's Didi B received three nominations, including Best Male Artiste in West Africa and Album of the Year. Gabon's Eboloko was listed for Breakout Artiste of the Year among his three nods, and Emma'a also received three nominations, including Best Female Artiste in Central Africa.

DR Congo's musical heavyweights are well-represented, with Fally Ipupa bagging three nominations, including Artiste of the Year, and Ferre Gola earning three nods, among them Songwriter of the Year. In North Africa, Morocco's Jaylann received three nominations. Tanzania's Juma Jux also scored three, including Song of the Year for 'Ololufe mi'. South Africa produced two more triple nominees: Mawhoo, recognized for her hit 'Bengicela', and rap star Nasty C, who got three nods for his track 'Soft'.

The diaspora also features prominently in the nominations, with a strong roster of male artists including DJ Snake, Gazo, Niska, Tayc, Tiakola, Tif, Werenoi, WizTheMC, L'Algérino, and Odeal. Female diaspora nominees include Aya Nakamura, Annatoria, Choisie Basolua, Darkoo, Deborah Lukalu, Faouzia, Ronisia, The Unveiled, Theodora, and Zaho, showcasing the global reach of African music and its influence.

Delani Makhalima, an AFRIMA jury member representing the Southern African region, articulated the significance of the 2025 nominees' list as powerful evidence of African music's remarkable journey and global ascendancy. "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," he stated, reflecting on years of marginalization. "Twelve years in, we're now here. This is global. This is AFRIMA, the biggest music entity on the face of the continent."

In partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Official Host City, Lagos State, AFRIMA 2025 promises a week-long celebration of African music and culture. The festivities are scheduled to run from November 25 to 30, 2025, featuring a Welcome Soiree, the AFRIMA Music Village, the Africa Music Business Summit, a Host City Tour, a Nominees Party, and culminating in the highly anticipated Main Awards Ceremony. The grand finale on November 30 will be broadcast live to over 84 countries worldwide. Public voting will officially open globally on September 10, 2025, via the official AFRIMA website, and will close on the eve of the main awards ceremony on November 30.