AFRIMA 2026 Brings Africa Under One Roof as Artistes From 48 Countries Light Up Lagos

LAGOS — The 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) once again turned Lagos into the cultural heartbeat of the continent, as artistes, producers and industry leaders from at least 48 African countries gathered to celebrate Africa’s musical diversity, creativity and growing global influence.

Held from January 7 to 11, 2026, the week-long event reaffirmed AFRIMA’s status as Africa’s largest music awards platform, drawing more than 1,200 artistes, delegates and production team members from across the continent and the diaspora. From West and East Africa to North, Central and Southern Africa, winners emerged from every region, underscoring AFRIMA’s ambition to serve as a truly pan-African stage.

AFRIMA President and Executive Producer Mike Dada said the breadth of participation and the diversity of winners reflected the steady growth and maturity of Africa’s music industry.

“AFRIMA is not just about giving awards. It is about bringing Africa together under one roof to celebrate our stories, culture and future through music,” Dada said. “Having delegates from 48 countries and winners across all regions shows how far African music has come and how interconnected the industry has become.”

Continental spread of winners

Côte d’Ivoire emerged as one of the standout countries at this year’s awards. Milo and Morijah won the African Inspirational Male and Female categories, respectively, while Didi B claimed Best African Lyricist or Rapper. Team Paiya took home the award for Best African Duo, Group or Band, reflecting the country’s growing influence in contemporary African music.

Ethiopia also made a strong showing, with Haddinqo winning Best African Jazz, Weeha taking Best African Dance or Choreography, and Veronica Adane claiming Best African Traditional. Guinea celebrated wins by Manamba Kanté in Best African Pop and Takana Zion in Best African Reggae, Ragga and Dancehall.

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From North Africa, Algeria’s DJ Moh Green was named Best African DJ, while Izlan won Best African Rock. In the same region, Adviser from Mauritania and Sherine from Tunisia were also honoured in their respective categories.

Southern Africa featured prominently, with Zambia’s Yo Maps and South Africa’s Nontokozo Mkhize and Ciza among the winners, while Central Africa recognised Singuila from the Republic of Congo and Cindy Le Cœur from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ghana’s Wendy Shay was named Best Female Artiste in Western Africa, adding to the region’s strong showing.

East Africa also left its mark, with Tanzania’s Jux winning Best Male Artiste and Fole X taking Best African Video of the Year for “Ololufe”. Denise from Madagascar was crowned Best Female Artist in Eastern Africa.

Beyond performances and trophies

Beyond the awards night, AFRIMA 2026 was structured as a broader industry and cultural festival. The programme opened with a Welcome Soiree hosted at the residence of the Deputy British High Commissioner, formally receiving nominees and guests.

This was followed by the Africa Music Business Summit, where stakeholders discussed the business, policy and future direction of African music.

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The energy peaked at the AFRIMA Music Village at Ikeja City Mall, where more than 25 top African artistes performed to a crowd estimated at over 20,000 people, turning the venue into a showcase of Africa’s sonic range, from pop and hip-hop to traditional and experimental sounds.

A packed grand finale

The grand finale at the Eko Convention Centre drew a full house, with thousands filling the venue to witness the presentation of AFRIMA’s signature 23.9-carat gold-plated trophies. Artists, producers, sound engineers, video directors and other creatives were honoured, highlighting the collaborative nature of Africa’s music ecosystem.

Industry observers say AFRIMA’s growing scale mirrors the broader rise of African music on the global stage, as artistes increasingly cross borders, collaborate across regions and attract international audiences.