The 2025 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) nominations have been announced, showcasing a record-breaking year with 10,717 entries, the highest since the awards' inception 12 years ago. A 13-member International Jury meticulously shortlisted 343 nominees across 40 diverse categories, representing Africa's five regions and the diaspora, following 10 days of rigorous adjudication.

Nigerian superstars Burna Boy and Davido emerged as top contenders, each securing five nominations. Burna Boy's album 'No Sign of Weakness' and Davido's '5ive' are both up for Album of the Year. Davido's hit single 'With You' garnered nominations for Song of the Year and Best Collaboration. Burna Boy also earned a nod for Best African Artiste Duo or Group in African Pop, while Davido's 'With You' featuring Omah Lay also secured nominations for Song of the Year and Best African Collaboration. Both Afrobeats stars are also nominated in the Best Male Artiste in West Africa and Artiste of the Year categories.

Matching their five nods is South Africa's DJ Maphorisa, who received nominations including Best African DJ and Album of the Year. Morocco's rap star El Grande Toto also collected five nominations for his album 'Salgoat' and hit 'Diplomatico'. Senegal's Mia Guissé and Ghana's Moliy further demonstrated the rising influence of female acts on the continent's music stage, each receiving five nominations.

Other notable Nigerian artistes include the fast-rising street-pop sensation Shallipopi, who clinched four nominations, including Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year, and Breakout Artiste of the Year for his collaboration 'Laho'. Rema earned three nominations, including Artiste of the Year and Best Male in West Africa, while Ayra Starr received two nominations, competing for the Artiste of the Year Award alongside established names like Davido, Burna Boy, and El Grande Toto. Other Nigerian artistes such as 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 featured prominently across various categories, from Best Male Artiste in West Africa to Best Artiste in African Inspirational Music.

Beyond Nigeria, Egypt's Amr Diab, one of the Middle East's best-selling artists, scooped four nominations. Côte d'Ivoire's Himra picked up three nominations, including Album of the Year for 'Big Aka 4 Aka Kai', establishing him as a strong newcomer. Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz continued his dominance in East Africa with four nominations. South Africa's breakout star Tyla and Eswatini's Uncle Waffles each earned four nominations, underscoring the growing global power of amapiano and Afro-house sounds. Côte d'Ivoire's Didi B got three nominations, including Best Male Artiste in West Africa and Album of the Year. Gabon's Eboloko was listed for Breakout Artiste of the Year among his three nods, as did Emma'a for Best Female Artiste in Central Africa. DR Congo's heavyweights Fally Ipupa and Ferre Gola each bagged three nominations, with Fally Ipupa for Artiste of the Year and Ferre Gola for Songwriter of the Year. In North Africa, Morocco's Jaylann received three nominations, as did Tanzania's Juma Jux, including Song of the Year for 'Ololufe mi'. South Africa produced two triple nominees: Mawhoo, recognized for her hit 'Bengicela', and rap star Nasty C for his track 'Soft'.

The diaspora was also well-represented with male nominees such as DJ Snake, Gazo, Niska, Tayc, Tiakola, Tif, Werenoi, WizTheMC, L'Algérino, and Odeal. Female diaspora nominees included Aya Nakamura, Annatoria, Choisie Basolua, Darkoo, Deborah Lukalu, Faouzia, Ronisia, The Unveiled, Theodora, and Zaho. This year's competition is set to be fiercely contested, with established African heavyweights facing strong challenges from rising sensations.

Delani Makhalima, an AFRIMA jury member representing Southern Africa, highlighted the nominations list as a testament to the immense progress of African music. He remarked, “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), AFRIMA 2025 is being organized alongside the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Official Host City, Lagos State. Public voting will commence globally on September 10, 2025, via the official AFRIMA website, and will close on the eve of the main awards ceremony on November 30. The 2025 celebration is scheduled to run from November 25 to 30, featuring a Welcome Soiree, the AFRIMA Music Village, the Africa Music Business Summit, a Host City Tour, the Nominees Party, and the grand finale Main Awards Ceremony, which will be broadcast live to over 84 countries worldwide.