AFRIMA Win a Turning Point for Tanzanian Music, Say Juma Jux and Folex

Dar es Salaam — Fresh from their wins at the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Tanzanian stars Juma Jux and Folex say the continental platform has reshaped their careers and highlighted the growing global reach of East African music.

The two artistes were speaking in Dar es Salaam during a Media and Stakeholders’ Parley hosted by AFRIMA’s International Committee, which brought together musicians, regulators, executives and journalists to reflect on the impact of the awards and explore how the region can better capitalise on them.

Juma Jux, who took home the East African Artiste of the Year (Male) award at this year’s ceremony in Lagos, described AFRIMA as a career-defining experience.

“Winning AFRIMA changed a lot for me,” he said. “People who never spoke to me before now reach out. Being on a stage watched in over 84 countries gives you a new level of visibility and responsibility.”

He also stressed the need for closer cooperation between cultural platforms and the state. According to Jux, partnerships between initiatives like AFRIMA and government institutions could unlock more opportunities for artistes through exposure, skills development and industry knowledge.

Music video director Folex, who won Best Music Video of the Year for his work on Juma Jux’s Ololufemi, echoed those sentiments, saying the recognition had been transformative.

“Being nominated alongside international names like Pink and TG Omori and then winning was life-changing,” he said. “It proved that East Africans can compete and win at the highest level. This award validates the work of directors in Tanzania and gives our creative industry more confidence.”

Victoria Nkong, Associate Producer, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) and AFRIMA’s Best Male Artiste Eastern Africa, Juma Jux, during the Media and Stakeholders Parley held to review the impact of the awards on the region’s music industry, at the Urban by City Blue Hotel, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

AFRIMA officials say that is exactly the kind of impact the awards are designed to have. Associate Producer Victoria Nkong said AFRIMA has evolved into more than an annual ceremony, positioning itself as a development platform for African music.

“Beyond the trophies, we focus on talent promotion, industry development and creating pathways that help African artistes move from local recognition to global visibility,” Nkong said. She added that engaging directly with stakeholders in Tanzania was key to building stronger, long-term collaboration in East Africa.

“Tanzania has a rich musical identity,” she said. “Our commitment is to work closely with institutions and creatives here so their talent is properly represented on the global stage.”

The Tanzanian government, through the National Arts Council (BASATA), signalled its openness to such partnerships. Selemani Mabisso, Acting Assistant Director of BASATA’s Music Department, said the council was ready to work with AFRIMA and other international bodies to strengthen the local industry.

Tanzanian music director, Folex, who won AFRIMA’s Best Music Video of the Year, Victoria Nkong, Associate Producer, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Best Male Artiste Eastern Africa, Juma Jux; and Seleman Mabisso, Acting Assistant Director of the Music Department at the National Arts Council of Tanzania, BASATA, during the Media and Stakeholders Parley held to review the impact of the awards on the region’s music industry, at the Urban by City Blue Hotel, Dar es Salaam

“We are open to collaborations that will help grow Tanzania’s music sector and position our creatives competitively worldwide,” Mabisso said.

The 9th AFRIMA took place from January 7 to 11, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria, and was organised by the African Union Commission and the International Executive Committee of AFRIMA, in partnership with the Lagos State Government. The five-day programme featured seven major events, including the Africa Music Business Summit, the AFRIMA Music Village at Ikeja City Mall, and a grand finale at the Eko Convention Centre.