Africa’s biggest music award week just got even bigger. The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) unveiled its 2025 nominations and the field is fierce, fab, and fearlessly continental. Fans, get ready: voting officially kicks off September 10. Here’s the scoop and all the tea.
Nominee Overflow Alert
This year, AFRIMA shattered records with 10,717 entries, the most since its launch 12 years ago. These were whittled down by a 13 member international jury to 343 nominees across 40 categories, representing Africa’s five regions and the diaspora.
Who’s Racking Up the Nods?
- Burna Boy, Davido, DJ Maphorisa, and El Grande Toto lead the pack with five nominations each. They’re front runners in Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Collaboration.
- Mia Guissé (Senegal) and Moliy (Ghana) also clinched five nods, amplifying the rise of phenomenal African women in music.
- Shallipopi earned four nods, including Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for his viral hit Laho. Heavyweights like Amr Diab, Diamond Platnumz, Tyla, and Uncle Waffles also scored four nominations.
More Names You’ll See on That Vote Screen
- Rema, Fally Ipupa, Himra, Juma Jux, Ayra Starr, and Rema snagged three noms. Ayra is going head to head with mega stars in Artiste of the Year.
- Diaspora representation? DJ Snake, Aya Nakamura, Darkoo, Deborah Lukalu, and more are on deck.
“This is global. This is AFRIMA,” says jury rep Delani Makhalima, spot on. These nominations are not just a list, they’re proof of Africa’s unstoppable musical rise and diverse influence.
- Mark your calendars: Voting opens Sept 10 at afrima.org.
- Voting unlocks Africa wide and ends November 30.
- The main show rolls out in Lagos from November 25–30, culminating in the grand awards night that will light up over 84 countries worldwide.
AFRIMA 2025 is a continental statement. From Afrobeat champions to rising stars and global diasporic voices, this list shows Africa’s creative might. Voting season is open, don’t just stream the music, be part of the legacy! Love it loud. Vote with pride.
