The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2025 nominations have been officially released, following a record-breaking 10,717 entries, the highest since the awards' inception 12 years ago. An International Jury, comprising 13 members, meticulously shortlisted 343 nominees across 40 diverse categories, representing Africa's five regions and the global diaspora. The highly anticipated public voting period is set to commence globally on September 10, 2025, via the official AFRIMA website, and will conclude on the eve of the main awards ceremony, November 30. This year's edition of AFRIMA, organized in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Federal Government of Nigeria, will take place in Lagos, Nigeria, from November 25 to 30, 2025.

Nigerian music titans Burna Boy and Davido emerged as top contenders, each securing an impressive five nominations. Burna Boy's acclaimed album 'No Sign of Weakness' and Davido's '5ive' were both nominated for Album of the Year. Additionally, their hit singles earned them spots in categories such as Song of the Year, Best African Collaboration (for Davido's 'With You' featuring Omah Lay), Best African Artiste Duo or Group in African Pop (for Burna Boy), Best Male Artiste in West Africa, and Artiste of the Year. Matching their five nods was South Africa's DJ Maphorisa, who received nominations including Best African DJ and Album of the Year. Morocco's rap star El Grande Toto also garnered five nominations for his album 'Salgoat' and hit 'Diplomatico'. Senegal's Mia Guissé and Ghana's Moliy further demonstrated the rising influence of female artists on the continent by also receiving five nominations each.

The nominations list features a wide array of talent from across Africa and the diaspora. Fast-rising Nigerian street-pop sensation Shallipopi clinched four nominations, including Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year for his collaboration 'Laho', and Breakout Artiste of the Year. Progrex, the producer of 'Laho', also earned a nomination for Best Producer of the Year. Other notable Nigerian artists include Rema with three nominations (Artiste of the Year, Best Male in West Africa), and Ayra Starr with two nominations, including Artiste of the Year and Best Female Artiste in West Africa for 'All the Love'. Further Nigerian nominees span categories like 'Best Male Artiste in West Africa' (Asake, Wizkid), 'Best Female Artiste in West Africa' (Tiwa Savage for 'You 4 Me'), 'Best African Reggae, Ragga and Dancehall' (Yemi Alade, Ruger), 'Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in HipHop' (ODUMODUBLVCK, Phyno), 'Best African Lyricist Rapper' (Reminisce), 'Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary' (Fireboy DML, Kizz Daniel, Johnny Drille), and 'Best Artiste in African Inspirational Music' (Gaise Baba, Lawrence Oyor, Mercy Chinwo, Ada Ehi).

Beyond Nigeria, Egypt's Amr Diab scooped four nominations, while Côte d'Ivoire's Himra picked up 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, underscoring the growing global appeal of amapiano and Afro-house sounds. Other significant nominees include Côte d'Ivoire's Didi B (three nods, including Best Male Artiste in West Africa), Gabon's Eboloko (three nods, including Breakout Artiste of the Year), and Emma'a (three nominations, including Best Female Artiste in Central Africa). DR Congo's heavyweights Fally Ipupa and Ferre Gola each bagged three nominations, with Ipupa contesting for Artiste of the Year and Gola for Songwriter of the Year. North Africa saw Morocco's Jaylann with three nominations, and East Africa's Juma Jux from Tanzania also scored three, including Song of the Year for 'Ololufe mi'. South Africa celebrated triple nominees Mawhoo for 'Bengicela' and rap star Nasty C for 'Soft'.

The diaspora's influence was also strongly represented 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 is set to be exceptionally fierce, with established African music legends vying for awards alongside a new wave of rising sensations. Delani Makhalima, an AFRIMA jury member representing the Southern African region, articulated the profound significance of the 2025 nominees' list, stating it as