The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), has officially kicked off its “Road to 2025” edition, signaling a return of the continent’s most prestigious music awards after a two-year hiatus. Organisers aim to unite African countries through music while providing a platform to celebrate and promote African talent globally.
Scheduled for 25–30 November 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria, the 2025 edition has been branded “Unstoppable Africa”, promising a robust celebration of African music, culture, and creativity.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed its support as host nation, with the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy actively backing the event.
According to organisers, entry submissions for AFRIMA 2025 closed on 8 August, with a total of 10,717 entries received. This surge highlights AFRIMA’s status as Africa’s leading music awards platform.
West Africa led submissions with 5,215 entries (48.68%), followed by Southern Africa with 2,080 entries (19.42%), Eastern Africa with 804 entries (7.50%), Central Africa with 291 entries (2.72%), Northern Africa with 267 entries (2.49%), and the African diaspora contributing 75 entries (0.70%).
To ensure transparency and credibility, AFRIMA has appointed new international jury members to join its adjudication panel. Notable additions include Marwane Fachane (Morocco), Asma Lucy Ilado (Kenya), and Messie Mboukou (Congo Brazzaville).
The 13-member jury, which began adjudication on 8 August in Lagos, also includes Olisa Adibua (Jury-in-Charge/Associate Producer), Vicensia Shule (African Union representative), and representatives from Cameroon, Egypt, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Tanzania, and the diaspora in North America.
The jury will evaluate submissions based on quality, originality, impact, and cultural relevance, selecting nominees across regional and continental categories.
The adjudication process is scheduled to run until 17 August, after which nominees will be announced.
On 14 August, AFRIMA hosted its Patron Dinner at Knowhere Restaurant, Victoria Island, bringing together jury members and media practitioners to celebrate the Road to 2025 edition.
This event underscored the awards’ commitment to fostering collaboration among industry stakeholders.
AFRIMA 2025 is expected to be broadcast in over 84 countries, providing a global platform for African music and culture.
The event will feature top African artists, live performances, and cultural showcases, reinforcing its reputation as a premier celebration of the continent’s creative talent.
With preparations in full swing, AFRIMA 2025 promises to deliver a vibrant, memorable, and impactful experience, uniting Africa and its diaspora through the power of music.