The 2025 edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has unveiled a record-breaking list of nominees, confirming the continent's burgeoning musical influence on the global stage. Following an unprecedented 10,717 entries, the highest since AFRIMA's inception 12 years ago, a 13-member International Jury meticulously shortlisted 343 nominees across 40 diverse categories, representing Africa's five regions and the diaspora.

Nigerian superstars, Damini 'Burna Boy' Ogulu and David 'Davido' Adeleke, emerged as the top contenders, each securing an impressive five nominations. Burna Boy's album 'No Sign of Weakness' and Davido's '5ive' were both nominated for the coveted Album of the Year. Davido's hit single 'With You' also earned nods for Song of the Year and Best Collaboration. Both artists are also prominent in the Best Male Artiste in West Africa and Artiste of the Year categories. Burna Boy further secured a nomination for Best African Artiste Duo or Group in African Pop, while Davido's 'With You' featuring Omah Lay was recognized in the Best African Collaboration category.

Matching the Nigerian heavyweights with five nominations was South Africa's DJ Maphorisa, who is in contention for awards including Best African DJ and Album of the Year. Morocco's rap sensation El Grande Toto also garnered five nominations for his album 'Salgoat' and hit 'Diplomatico'. Senegal's Mia Guissé and Ghana's Moliy proved the rising power of female artists, each receiving five nominations.

Other notable Nigerian nominees include the fast-rising street-pop sensation Crown 'Shallipopi' Uzama, who clinched four nominations, including Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year, and Breakout Artiste of the Year for his collaboration 'Laho'. Rema earned three nominations, including Artiste of the Year and Best Male in West Africa. Ayra Starr received two nominations, also vying for the Artiste of the Year Award alongside top stars. Further Nigerian artists recognized include Asake, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Ruger, ODUMODUBLVCK, Phyno, Reminisce, Fireboy DML, Kizz Daniel, Johnny Drille, Gaise Baba, Lawrence Oyor, Mercy Chinwo, and Ada Ehi, spanning various categories from HipHop to African Inspirational Music.

Across the continent, other prominent artists were recognized for their contributions. Egypt's Amr Diab scooped four nominations, while Côte d'Ivoire's Himra received three, including Album of the Year for 'Big Aka 4 Aka Kai'. Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz continued his dominance in East Africa with four nominations. South Africa's breakout star Tyla and Eswatini's Uncle Waffles each earned four nominations, highlighting the growing global appeal of amapiano and Afro-house sounds. Côte d'Ivoire's Didi B got three nominations, including Best Male Artiste in West Africa, and Gabon's Eboloko was listed for Breakout Artiste of the Year among his three nods. Emma'a also received three nominations, including Best Female Artiste in Central Africa. DR Congo's heavyweights Fally Ipupa and Ferre Gola both bagged three nominations, with Ipupa in the running for Artiste of the Year and Gola for Songwriter of the Year. In North Africa, Morocco's Jaylann received three nominations, as did Tanzania's Juma Jux, notably for Song of the Year with 'Ololufe mi'. South Africa also produced two triple nominees in Mawhoo and rap star Nasty C.

The diaspora also shone brightly on the list, with male nominees such as DJ Snake, Gazo, Niska, Tayc, Tiakola, Tif, Werenoi, WizTheMC, L'Algérino, and Odeal. Female diaspora nominees included Aya Nakamura, Annatoria, Choisie Basolua, Darkoo, Deborah Lukalu, Faouzia, Ronisia, The Unveiled, Theodora, and Zaho.

This year's competition promises to be exceptionally fierce, with established African heavyweight stars facing strong competition from rising sensations like Shallipopi, Himra, Moliy, and Juma Jux. The International Committee of AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), confirmed that public voting will 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, 2025.

Delani Makhalima, an AFRIMA jury member representing the Southern African region, articulated the profound significance of the 2025 nominees' list. He described it as a testament to the remarkable progress of African music, 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 marginalised 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."

AFRIMA 2025, organized in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Official Host City, Lagos State, will take place from November 25 to 30, 2025. The celebration will feature 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 on November 30. The grand finale will be broadcast live to over 84 countries worldwide, further solidifying African music's global presence.