The 2025 edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) promises to be a fiercely contested celebration of African musical talent, marked by a record-breaking 10,717 entries—the highest since the awards' inception 12 years ago. Following a rigorous 10-day adjudication process by a 13-member International Jury, 343 nominees have been shortlisted across 40 diverse categories, representing Africa's five regions and the diaspora.

Nigerian music giants Burna Boy and Davido emerged as the leading nominees, each securing five nods. Burna Boy's acclaimed album 'No Sign of Weakness' and Davido's '5ive' were both nominated for Album of the Year. Their hit singles also earned them spots in 'Song of the Year' and 'Best Collaboration' categories. Specifically, Burna Boy received a nomination for 'Best African Artiste Duo or Group in African Pop', while Davido was recognized for 'Song of the Year' and 'Best African Collaboration' for his track 'With You' featuring Omah Lay. Both Afrobeats stars are also contending in the 'Best Male Artiste in West Africa' and 'Artiste of the Year' categories for their respective singles, 'Update' and 'With You'.

Matching the Nigerian heavyweights with five nominations was South Africa's DJ Maphorisa, recognized for categories including Best African DJ and Album of the Year. Morocco's rap star El Grande Toto also garnered five nods for his album 'Salgoat' and hit 'Diplomatico'. The rising influence of female acts on the continent's music stage was evident with Senegal's Mia Guissé and Ghana's Moliy, who each secured five nominations.

Nigeria's fast-rising street-pop sensation Shallipopi earned four nominations, including Artiste of the Year and Song of the Year for his collaboration 'Laho'. Shallipopi also made the list for 'Breakout Artiste of the Year', with Progrex, the song's producer, earning a nomination for 'Best Producer of the Year'. Other notable nominees with four nods include Egypt's best-selling artist in the Middle East, Amr Diab; Tanzania's dominant Diamond Platnumz; South Africa's breakout star Tyla; and Eswatini's Uncle Waffles, whose nominations underscore the surging popularity of amapiano and Afro-house sounds.

Several artists received three nominations, further highlighting the breadth of talent across Africa. These include Nigeria's Rema, nominated for Artiste of the Year and Best Male in West Africa for 'Baby (Is It A Crime)'; Côte d'Ivoire's Himra, recognized for his album 'Big Aka 4 Aka Kai' and hip-hop collaborations, also securing an Album of the Year nomination; and Didi B from Cote d'Ivoire, nominated for Best Male Artiste in West Africa and Album of the Year. Gabon's Eboloko was listed for Breakout Artiste of the Year, and Emma'a for Best Female Artiste in Central Africa. DR Congo's Fally Ipupa bagged three nominations including Artiste of the Year, while Ferre Gola earned three nods, among them Songwriter of the Year. Other three-time nominees include Morocco's Jaylann, Tanzania's Juma Jux (for 'Ololufe mi' in Song of the Year), and South Africa's Mawhoo ('Bengicela') and rap star Nasty C ('Soft').

The nominee list also showcased a strong Nigerian presence beyond the top contenders. Ayra Starr received two nominations, including a challenge for Artiste of the Year, and a nod for 'Best Female Artiste in West Africa' for 'All the Love'. Other Nigerian artists recognized across various categories include Asake ('Uhh Yeah'), Wizkid ('Kesse'), Tiwa Savage ('You 4 Me', 'Forgiveness'), Yemi Alade ('Baddie Remix'), Ruger ('Dudu'), Kunmi ('Arike'), Fola ('Who Does That?'), ODUMODUBLVCK, Phyno, Reminisce, Fireboy DML, Kizz Daniel featuring Angélique Kidjo, Johnny Drille, Gaise Baba, Lawrence Oyor, Mercy Chinwo, and Ada Ehi.

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.

Delani Makhalima, an AFRIMA jury member representing the Southern African region, articulated the profound significance of the 2025 nominees' list. 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.”

The 2025 AFRIMA celebration, organized in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and hosted by the Federal Government of Nigeria and Lagos State, is set to run from November 25 to 30, 2025. Public voting will commence globally on September 10, 2025, via the official AFRIMA website, concluding on the eve of the main awards ceremony on November 30. The week-long event will feature a Welcome Soiree, the AFRIMA Music Village, the Africa Music Business Summit, a Host City Tour, the Nominees Party, and culminate in the Main Awards Ceremony, which will be broadcast live to over 84 countries worldwide. This year's competition is anticipated to be more intense than ever, with established African stars facing robust competition from rising sensations.