The 2025 edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) is set to be a fiercely competitive event, with Nigerian superstars Burna Boy and Davido leading the nominations. Both artists received five nods each, the highest for any artiste on the list. Burna Boy's album 'No Sign of Weakness' and Davido's '5ive' are competing for Album of the Year. Davido's hit single 'With You' secured nominations for Song of the Year and Best Collaboration, while Burna Boy also earned a nomination for 'Best African Artiste Duo or Group in African Pop'. Both Afrobeats heavyweights are nominated for 'Best Male Artiste in West Africa' and 'Artiste of the Year' for their respective singles, 'Update' and 'With You'.

The nominations for AFRIMA 2025 followed a record-breaking 10,717 entries, marking the highest number since the awards' inception 12 years ago. A distinguished 13-member International Jury meticulously reviewed submissions over 10 days, ultimately shortlisting 343 nominees across 40 diverse categories, representing Africa's five regions and the diaspora.

Beyond Nigeria's top contenders, other African artists also made a significant mark. South Africa's DJ Maphorisa matched Burna Boy and Davido with five 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 each received five nominations, highlighting the growing influence of female acts in African music. The rising power of Amapiano and Afro-house sounds was also confirmed, with South Africa's breakout star Tyla and Eswatini's Uncle Waffles each earning four nominations.

Nigeria's fast-rising street-pop sensation Shallipopi secured 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 received three nominations, including Artiste of the Year and Best Male in West Africa, while Ayra Starr clinched two nominations, contending for the Artiste of the Year Award. Other Nigerian artists recognized include Asake, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Ruger, Kunmi, Fola, ODUMODUBLVCK, Phyno, Reminisce, Fireboy DML, Kizz Daniel featuring Angélique Kidjo, Johnny Drille, Gaise Baba, Lawrence Oyor, Mercy Chinwo, and Ada Ehi across various categories like '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'.

Additional notable nominees include 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 Didi B with three nominations (including Best Male Artiste in West Africa and Album of the Year), and Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz with four nominations, continuing his dominance in East Africa. Gabon's Eboloko received three nods, including Breakout Artiste of the Year, and Emma'a also earned three nominations, including 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 produced two more triple nominees: Mawhoo for her hit 'Bengicela', and rap star Nasty C for his track 'Soft'.

The diaspora also received significant recognition, 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 2025, an African-based music awards ceremony honoring African artists and music produced across the continent, is organized in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Official Host City, Lagos State. The celebration will run from November 25 to 30, 2025, 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. The grand finale on November 30 will be broadcast live to over 84 countries worldwide. Public voting for all categories will commence globally on September 10, 2025, via the official AFRIMA website, and will close on the eve of the main awards ceremony, November 30.

Delani Makhalima, an AFRIMA jury member representing the Southern African region, emphasized the global reach of African music, stating, "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."