The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2025 is poised to be its most competitive edition yet, following a record-breaking 10,717 entries, the highest since its inception 12 years ago. A distinguished 13-member International Jury meticulously shortlisted 343 nominees across 40 categories, representing Africa's five regions and the diaspora. This year's event is organized in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Official Host City, Lagos State, affirming its status as the continent's largest music entity.

Nigerian music titans, Damini 'Burna Boy' Ogulu and David 'Davido' Adeleke, lead the nominations with five nods each. Burna Boy's album 'No Sign of Weakness' and Davido's '5ive' are both contenders for Album of the Year. Davido's hit single 'With You' also secured nominations for Song of the Year and Best African Collaboration, featuring Omah Lay. Burna Boy is further recognized in the 'Best African Artiste Duo or Group in African Pop' category. Both Afrobeats stars are nominated for 'Best Male Artiste in West Africa' and 'Artiste of the Year' for their respective singles, 'Update' and 'With You'.

Matching the Nigerian heavyweights with five nominations each are South Africa's DJ Maphorisa, earning nods including Best African DJ and Album of the Year, and Morocco's rap sensation El Grande Toto, whose album 'Salgoat' and hit 'Diplomatico' garnered global attention. Senegal's Mia Guissé and Ghana's Moliy also secured five nominations each, highlighting the significant influence female artists are now commanding on the African music stage.

Nigeria's fast-rising street-pop sensation, Crown 'Shallipopi' Uzama, received four nominations, including Artiste of the Year and Breakout Artiste of the Year for his collaboration 'Laho,' with its producer Progrex also recognized for Best Producer of the Year. Rema clinched three nominations, including Artiste of the Year and Best Male in West Africa, while Ayra Starr has two nominations, contesting for Artiste of the Year. Other notable Nigerian artists receiving nominations include Asake for 'Best Male Artiste in West Africa,' Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Ruger, ODUMODUBLVCK, Phyno, Reminisce, Fireboy DML, Kizz Daniel, Johnny Drille, Gaise Baba, Lawrence Oyor, Mercy Chinwo, and Ada Ehi across various categories, including 'Best African Reggae, Ragga and Dancehall,' 'Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in HipHop,' 'Best African Lyricist Rapper,' 'Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary,' and 'Best Artiste in African Inspirational Music.'

Across the continent, Egypt's best-selling artist Amr Diab scooped four nominations, as did Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz, continuing his dominance in East Africa. Côte d'Ivoire's Himra picked up three nominations, including Album of the Year for 'Big Aka 4 Aka Kai,' and Didi B also garnered three nominations, including Best Male Artiste in West Africa and Album of the Year. South Africa's breakout star Tyla and Eswatini's Uncle Waffles each earned four nominations, confirming the rising power of amapiano and Afro-house sounds, while Mawhoo and Nasty C each received three nods. From DR Congo, heavyweights Fally Ipupa and Ferre Gola both bagged three nominations, with Ipupa contesting for Artiste of the Year and Gola for Songwriter of the Year. Other prominent nominees include Gabon's Eboloko (Breakout Artiste of the Year) and Emma'a (Best Female Artiste in Central Africa), and Tanzania's Juma Jux (Song of the Year for 'Ololufe mi').

The diaspora is also strongly represented, with male nominees such as DJ Snake, Gazo, Niska, Tayc, Tiakola, Tif, Werenoi, WizTheMC, L'Algérino, and Odeal. Female nominees from the diaspora include Aya Nakamura, Annatoria, Choisie Basolua, Darkoo, Deborah Lukalu, Faouzia, Ronisia, The Unveiled, Theodora, and Zaho.

Delani Makhalima, an AFRIMA jury member representing Southern Africa, praised the 2025 nominees' list as proof of the remarkable journey and global recognition of African music. He emphasized, "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... Twelve years in, we're now here. This is global. This is AFRIMA, the biggest music entity on the face of the continent."

Public voting for all categories will commence globally on September 10, 2025, via the official AFRIMA website, and will conclude on the eve of the main awards ceremony on November 30. The AFRIMA 2025 celebration is scheduled to run from November 25 to 30, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, featuring a 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, which will be broadcast live to over 84 countries worldwide.