The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2025 edition has announced its top nominees following a record-breaking 10,717 entries, the highest since the awards' inception 12 years ago. After 10 days of adjudication, a 13-member International Jury shortlisted 343 nominees across 40 categories, representing Africa's five regions and the diaspora. The awards, organized in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), will be held in Lagos, Nigeria, the official host city.

Nigerian superstars Burna Boy and Davido lead the nominations with five nods each, the most for any artiste on the list. 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' 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 nominated for 'Best African Collaboration'. Both Afrobeats stars are featured in the 'Best Male Artiste in West Africa' and 'Artiste of the Year' categories for their singles, 'Update' and 'With You' respectively.

Matching the Nigerian heavyweights with five nominations is South Africa's DJ Maphorisa, who is recognized in categories including Best African DJ and Album of the Year. Morocco's rap star El Grande Toto also clinched five nominations for his album 'Salgoat' and hit 'Diplomatico'. Senegal's Mia Guissé and Ghana's Moliy also joined the top bracket with five nominations each, underscoring the growing influence of female acts in African music.

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'. 'Laho' also placed Shallipopi in the 'Breakout Artiste of the Year' category, while its producer, Progrex, was nominated for 'Best Producer of the Year'. Egypt's Amr Diab, one of the best-selling artists in the Middle East, also scooped four nominations. East African powerhouse Diamond Platnumz from Tanzania grabbed four nominations, continuing his regional dominance. South Africa's breakout star Tyla and Eswatini's Uncle Waffles each received four nominations, signaling the rising global power of Amapiano and Afro-house sounds.

Artists with three nominations include Nigeria's Rema (Artiste of the Year, Best Male in West Africa), Côte d'Ivoire's Himra (Album of the Year), Côte d'Ivoire's Didi B (Best Male Artiste in West Africa, Album of the Year), Gabon's Eboloko (Breakout Artiste of the Year), Emma'a (Best Female Artiste in Central Africa), DR Congo's Fally Ipupa (Artiste of the Year), DR Congo's Ferre Gola (Songwriter of the Year), Morocco's Jaylann, Tanzania's Juma Jux (Song of the Year for 'Ololufe mi'), South Africa's Mawhoo ('Bengicela'), and rap star Nasty C ('Soft'). Nigeria's Ayra Starr received two nominations, including a challenge for Artiste of the Year against stars like Davido, Burna Boy, and El Grande Toto.

Other prominent Nigerian artistes recognized include Asake ('Uhh Yeah'), Rema ('Baby (Is It A Crime)'), and Wizkid ('Kesse') in the 'Best Male Artiste in West Africa' category. Ayra Starr ('All the Love') and Tiwa Savage ('You 4 Me') garnered nominations for 'Best Female Artiste in West Africa'. Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage, and Ruger earned nominations for 'Best African Reggae, Ragga and Dancehall'. 'Most Promising Artiste of the Year' saw nominations for Kunmi ('Arike') and Fola ('Who Does That?' featuring Bella Shmurda). ODUMODUBLVCK and Phyno are in 'Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in HipHop', Reminisce in 'Best African Lyricist Rapper', while Fireboy DML, Kizz Daniel featuring Angélique Kidjo, and Johnny Drille are in 'Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary'. Gaise Baba, Lawrence Oyor, Mercy Chinwo, and Ada Ehi were nominated for 'Best Artiste in African Inspirational Music'.

The diaspora also shone brightly on the nominee list, with male artistes such as DJ Snake, Gazo, Niska, Tayc, Tiakola, Tif, Werenoi, WizTheMC, L'Algérino, and Odeal receiving nods. Female diaspora nominees include Aya Nakamura, Annatoria, Choisie Basolua, Darkoo, Deborah Lukalu, Faouzia, Ronisia, The Unveiled, Theodora, and Zaho.

The 2025 nominations list is a testament to the extensive growth and global reach of African music, as noted by AFRIMA jury member Delani Makhalima, representing the Southern African region. 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... Twelve years in, we're now here. This is global. This is AFRIMA, the biggest music entity on the face of the continent.'

The competition is expected to be fierce, with established heavyweights vying against rising sensations like Shallipopi, Himra, Moliy, and Juma Jux. Public voting will commence globally on September 10, 2025, via the official AFRIMA website, and will conclude on the eve of the main awards ceremony, November 30. The AFRIMA 2025 celebration will span 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 culminating in the Main Awards Ceremony, which will be broadcast live to over 84 countries worldwide.

Specific regional categories highlight the diverse talent across the continent. For instance, the 'Best Male Artiste in Central Africa' category features artists like C4 Pedro (Angola), Eboloko (Gabon), Gims (DRC), Gerilson Insrael (Angola), Kocee (Cameroon), L'Oiseau Rare (Gabon), Fally Ipupa (DRC), Magasco (Cameroon), Singuila (The Congo), and Werrason (DRC). Similarly, the 'Best Female Artiste in Central Africa' includes Anna Joyce (Angola), Blanche Bailly (Cameroon), Charlotte Dipanda (Cameroon), Cindy Le Coeur (DRC), and Deborah Lukalu (DRC), showcasing the rich musical landscape of the region.