The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) is gearing up for its 2025 edition, set to be held in Lagos, Nigeria, from November 25 to 30. This year marks a significant milestone, having received a record-breaking 10,717 entries, the highest since AFRIMA's inception 12 years ago. A distinguished 13-member International Jury meticulously adjudicated over 10 days, shortlisting 343 nominees across 40 diverse categories, representing Africa's five regions and the diaspora.

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' secured nominations for Song of the Year and Best Collaboration. Burna Boy also earned a nomination for 'Best African Artiste Duo or Group in African Pop', while Davido's 'With You' featuring Omah Lay was recognized in 'Song of the Year' and 'Best African Collaboration'. Both artists are nominated for 'Best Male Artiste in West Africa' and 'Artiste of the Year'. Matching their five nominations is South Africa's DJ Maphorisa, recognized for Best African DJ and Album of the Year. Morocco's rap star El Grande Toto, Senegal's Mia Guissé, and Ghana's Moliy also each received five nominations, underscoring the growing influence of female artists on the continental music stage.

Nigeria’s rising street-pop sensation Shallipopi clinched four nominations, including Artiste of the Year and Song of the Year for his collaboration 'Laho', also appearing under 'Breakout Artiste of the Year'. Rema garnered three nominations, including Artiste of the Year and Best Male in West Africa, while Ayra Starr secured two nominations, competing for the Artiste of the Year Award. Other Nigerian artistes 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 received 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'.

The extensive list of nominees also features Egypt's Amr Diab with four nominations, Côte d'Ivoire's Himra with three nominations (including Album of the Year for 'Big Aka 4 Aka Kai'), and Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz with four nominations, maintaining his dominance in East Africa. South Africa's breakout star Tyla and Eswatini's Uncle Waffles each earned four nominations, highlighting the global impact of amapiano and Afro-house sounds. Côte d'Ivoire's Didi B received three nominations, including Best Male Artiste in West Africa and Album of the Year, while Gabon's Eboloko and Emma'a each secured three nominations, with Eboloko nominated for Breakout Artiste of the Year and Emma'a for Best Female Artiste in Central Africa. DR Congo’s 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. In North Africa, Morocco's Jaylann received three nominations, while Tanzania's Juma Jux also scored three, including Song of the Year for 'Ololufe mi'. South Africa also saw Mawhoo and rap star Nasty C each earn three nominations.

The diaspora is well represented, 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. This year's competition is anticipated to be particularly fierce, showcasing a blend of Africa's established heavyweight stars alongside rapidly rising sensations like Shallipopi, Himra, Moliy, and Juma Jux.

Delani Makhalima, an AFRIMA jury member representing the Southern African region, expressed his excitement about the 2025 nominees' list, describing it as compelling proof of African music's remarkable progress. He stated, “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 marginalized 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.”

In partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Federal Government of Nigeria, with Lagos State as the Official Host City, AFRIMA 2025 promises a week-long celebration. The event schedule includes 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. Public voting for all categories will open globally on September 10, 2025, via the official AFRIMA website, and will close on the eve of the main awards on November 30. The grand finale will be broadcast live to over 84 countries worldwide, spotlighting the diverse and dynamic talent of African music on a global stage.