2025 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) Nominations

The 2025 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) have unveiled a record-breaking list of nominees, marking a significant moment for African music on the global stage. This year saw an unprecedented 10,717 entries, the highest since AFRIMA's inception 12 years ago. Following a rigorous 10-day adjudication process by a 13-member International Jury, 343 nominees were shortlisted across 40 categories, representing Africa's five regions and the diaspora.

Nigerian Superstars Topping the Charts

Nigerian superstars Burna Boy and Davido 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 earned nominations for Song of the Year and Best Collaboration. Both artists are also nominated for Artiste of the Year and Best Male Artiste in West Africa. Burna Boy further secured a nomination for Best African Artiste Duo or Group in African Pop, while Davido's'With You'featuring Omah Lay also features in Best African Collaboration.

Photo Credit: Vanguard News

Africans Nurturing Legacy

Matching their five nominations are South Africa's DJ Maphorisa, recognized for Best African DJ and Album of the Year, and Morocco's rap sensation El Grande Toto, whose album 'Salgoat' and hit 'Diplomatico' garnered international attention. Senegal's Mia Guissé and Ghana's Moliy also each received five nominations, highlighting the growing influence of female artists across the continent.

Other prominent Nigerian artists include the fast-rising street-pop sensation Shallipopi, who clinched four nominations, including Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year for his collaboration 'Laho', and Breakout Artiste of the Year. Rema received three nominations for categories like Artiste of the Year and Best Male in West Africa.

Ayra Starr secured two nominations, notably for Artiste of the Year and Best Female Artiste in West Africa for 'All the Love'. Other Nigerian talents like Asake, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Ruger, Kunmie, Fola (featuring Bella Shmurda), ODUMODUBLVCK, Phyno, Reminisce, Fireboy DML, Kizz Daniel (featuring Angélique Kidjo), Johnny Drille, Gaise Baba, Lawrence Oyor, Mercy Chinwo, and Ada Ehi also earned nominations across various categories.

Photo Credit: Vanguard News

International Diversities

Beyond Nigeria, a diverse array of artists from across Africa and the diaspora were recognized. Egypt's Amr Diab scooped four nominations, as did Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz, South Africa's breakout star Tyla, and Eswatini's Uncle Waffles, underscoring the rising popularity of amapiano and Afro-house sounds. Côte d'Ivoire's Himra and Didi B, Gabon's Eboloko, Emma'a, DR Congo's Fally Ipupa and Ferre Gola, Morocco's Jaylann, Tanzania's Juma Jux, and South Africa's Mawhoo and Nasty C all received multiple nominations, reflecting the depth of talent across the continent.

The diaspora list includes international names like DJ Snake, Aya Nakamura, and Faouzia, among others. Delani Makhalima, an AFRIMA jury member representing Southern Africa, emphasized the significance of this year's nominations as proof of African music's global ascent.