The 2025 edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) promises to be a fiercely contested event, following a record-breaking 10,717 entries—the highest since the awards' inception 12 years ago. After 10 days of meticulous adjudication by a 13-member International Jury, 343 nominees were shortlisted across 40 categories, representing Africa's five regions and the diaspora. The International Committee of AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), confirmed that Lagos, Nigeria, will serve as the Official Host City for this year's celebration, which runs from November 25 to 30, 2025.

Nigerian superstars Burna Boy and Davido lead the pack with five nominations each. Burna Boy's album 'No Sign of Weakness' and Davido's '5ive' both secured nods for Album of the Year. Davido's hit single 'With You' also earned nominations for Song of the Year and Best Collaboration, featuring Omah Lay. Both Afrobeats stars are also contending for the 'Best Male Artiste in West Africa' and 'Artiste of the Year' categories for their respective singles, 'Update' and 'With You'. Burna Boy additionally garnered a nomination for 'Best African Artiste Duo or Group in African Pop'.

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 received five nominations, with his album 'Salgoat' and hit 'Diplomatico' drawing global attention. Senegal's Mia Guissé and Ghana's Moliy further demonstrated female artists' rising influence, each securing five nominations.

Other prominent nominees from Nigeria include fast-rising street-pop sensation Shallipopi, who clinched four nominations, among them Artiste of the Year and Song of the Year for his collaboration 'Laho'. Shallipopi also appears in the 'Breakout Artiste of the Year' category for 'Laho', with the song's producer, Progrex, earning a nod for 'Best Producer of the Year'. Rema garnered three nominations, including Artiste of the Year and Best Male in West Africa, while Ayra Starr received two nominations, contesting for the Artiste of the Year Award alongside major stars like Davido, Burna Boy, and El Grande Toto. Other notable Nigerian artists like Asake, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Ruger, Kunmi, Fola, ODUMODUBLVCK, Phyno, Reminisce, Fireboy DML, Kizz Daniel, Johnny Drille, Gaise Baba, Lawrence Oyor, Mercy Chinwo, and Ada Ehi also secured nominations across various categories such as 'Best Male Artiste in West Africa', 'Best Female Artiste in West Africa', 'Best African Reggae, Ragga and Dancehall', 'Most Promising Artiste of the Year', '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'.

Beyond Nigeria, Egypt's Amr Diab scooped four nominations, as did Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz, continuing his dominance in East Africa. 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. Côte d'Ivoire's Himra picked up three nominations, including Album of the Year for 'Big Aka 4 Aka Kai', while Didi B also secured three nominations, including Best Male Artiste in West Africa and Album of the Year. Gabon's Eboloko received three nods, including Breakout Artiste of the Year, just as Emma'a earned three nominations, including Best Female Artiste in Central Africa. DR Congo's heavyweights Fally Ipupa and Ferre Gola each bagged three nominations, with Ipupa vying for Artiste of the Year and Gola for Songwriter of the Year. Other triple nominees include Morocco's Jaylann, Tanzania's Juma Jux (Song of the Year for 'Ololufe mi'), South Africa's Mawhoo ('Bengicela'), and rap star Nasty C ('Soft').

The diaspora also featured prominently, with male nominees such as 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.

AFRIMA jury member Delani Makhalima, representing the Southern African region, lauded the 2025 nominees' list as a testament to the remarkable progress of African music.