Record-Breaking Year for AFRIMA

The 2025 edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) is set to be a fiercely contested event, following a record-breaking 10,717 entries, the highest since its inception 12 years ago. A 13-member International Jury meticulously adjudicated over 10 days, shortlisting 343 nominees across 40 categories, representing Africa's five regions and the diaspora.

In partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and hosted by the Federal Government of Nigeria and Lagos State, AFRIMA aims to honor African artists and music produced across the continent.

Nigerian Superstars Dominate

Nigerian superstars Burna Boy and Davido lead the pack with five nominations each. Burna Boy's album No Sign of Weakness and Davido's 5ive both secured nods for Album of the Year. Davido's hit single With You also earned nominations for Song of the Year and Best Collaboration, specifically featuring Omah Lay for 'Best African Collaboration'. Both artists are also in contention for Best Male Artiste in West Africa and Artiste of the Year, with Burna Boy also nominated for Best African Artiste Duo or Group in African Pop, and Davido for his single Update. Their consistent output has kept them at the forefront of the industry.

Female Artists Rising

Matching their five nods, South Africa's DJ Maphorisa received nominations 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 further solidified their standing with five nominations each, underscoring the increasing influence of female artists on the continent's music scene.

Strong Nigerian Representation

Image Credit: Afromag

Nigeria's presence extends with fast-rising street-pop sensation Shallipopi, who garnered four nominations, including Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year, and Breakout Artiste of the Year for his collaboration Laho. Progrex, the producer of Laho, also received a nomination for Best Producer of the Year. Other notable Nigerian artists include Rema with three nominations (Artiste of the Year, Best Male in West Africa for Baby (Is It A Crime)), and Ayra Starr with two nominations, also vying for Artiste of the Year.

Further Nigerian nominees span various categories, including Asake (Uhh Yeah), Wizkid (Kesse), Tiwa Savage (You 4 Me), Yemi Alade, Ruger, Kunmi (Arike), Fola (Who Does That? featuring Bella Shmurda), ODUMODUBLVCK, Phyno, Reminisce, Fireboy DML, Kizz Daniel (featuring Angélique Kidjo), Johnny Drille, Gaise Baba, Lawrence Oyor, Mercy Chinwo, and Ada Ehi, showcasing the nation's diverse musical talent.

Continental Diversity and Influence

The nominations highlight a rich tapestry of talent from across Africa. Egypt's Amr Diab, one of the best-selling artists in the Middle East, scooped four nominations, while Côte d'Ivoire's Himra picked up three, including Album of the Year for Big Aka 4 Aka Kai.

Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz continued his East African dominance with four nominations. South Africa's breakout star Tyla and Eswatini's Uncle Waffles each earned four nominations, affirming the rising power of amapiano and Afro-house sounds.

Other significant regional nominees include Côte d'Ivoire's Didi B (three nominations, including Best Male Artiste in West Africa and Album of the Year), Gabon's Eboloko (three nods, including Breakout Artiste of the Year), and Emma'a (three nominations, including 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. North Africa saw Morocco's Jaylann with three, and East Africa's Juma Jux with three, including Song of the Year for Ololufe mi. South Africa also celebrated triple nominees Mawhoo (Bengicela) and rap star Nasty C (Soft).

Diaspora in the Spotlight

The diaspora also shone brightly, with male nominees such as DJ Snake, Gazo, Niska, Tayc, Tiakola, Tif, Werenoi, WizTheMC, L'Algérino, and Odeal. Female nominees from the diaspora include Aya Nakamura, Annatoria, Choisie Basolua, Darkoo, Deborah Lukalu, Faouzia, Ronisia, The Unveiled, Theodora, and Zaho, underscoring the global reach of African music.

AFRIMA's Growing Legacy

This year's competition promises to be fiercer than ever, with heavyweight stars facing rising sensations.

Delani Makhalima, an AFRIMA jury member representing the Southern African region, described the 2025 nominees' list as profound evidence of African music's journey.

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 marginalised 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."

Voting and Grand Finale

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 ceremony on November 30, 2025. The 2025 AFRIMA celebration will take place in Lagos, Nigeria, from November 25 to 30.

The event will feature a series of activities including the 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.