The continent’s premier music recognition platform has once again demonstrated Africa’s rising global influence as the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) released its highly anticipated 2025 nominees list on Wednesday, revealing what industry insiders are calling the most competitive field in the award’s 12-year history.
The announcement, disclosed through an official statement by AFRIMA in partnership with the African Union Commission, showcased a remarkable milestone: a record-breaking 10,717 entries, the highest in the award’s history. After an intensive 10-day screening process, a 13-member international jury whittled down the submissions to 343 nominees across 40 categories, representing all five regions of Africa and the diaspora.
The 2025 nominations reveal a fascinating blend of established heavyweights and emerging talents vying for continental supremacy. Leading the pack are Nigeria’s twin titans of Afrobeats: Grammy-winning artists Burna Boy and Davido, each securing five nominations apiece. Both megastars find themselves in direct competition for the coveted Album of the Year category—Burna Boy with his latest offering, “No Sign of Weakness,” and Davido with “5ive.”
The rivalry extends beyond albums, with both artists earning nominations in the Song of the Year and Best Collaboration categories for their hit singles, setting the stage for what promises to be a captivating battle between two of Africa’s most internationally recognized voices.
Adding to Nigeria’s formidable presence is the street-pop sensation Shallipopi, who has emerged as a force to be reckoned with, securing four nominations, including the prestigious Artiste of the Year category and Song of the Year for his collaboration “Laho.” Meanwhile, the country’s rising star, Ayra Starr, earned two nominations, positioning herself as a contender for Artiste of the Year alongside established giants.
The 2025 nominees list reflects AFRIMA’s commitment to continental representation, with powerhouse artists from across Africa vying for recognition. Morocco’s El Grande Toto matched the Nigerian leaders with five nominations, while South Africa’s DJ Maphorisa similarly secured five nods, demonstrating the genre-crossing appeal of Amapiano music.
From West Africa, Senegal’s Mia Guissé emerged as a standout with five nominations, while Ghana’s Moliy also achieved the same feat, showcasing the region’s diverse musical landscape. The East African presence is strongly represented by Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz, who garnered four nominations, alongside Tanzania’s Juma Jux.
Southern Africa’s musical prowess is evident through multiple nominees, including South Africa’s global breakthrough star Tyla with four nominations and Eswatini’s Uncle Waffles, also with four nods, highlighting the region’s continuing influence on contemporary African sound.
One of the most significant trends in this year’s nominations is the strong representation from the African diaspora, reflecting the global reach and influence of African music. French-Malian sensation Aya Nakamura, UK-based artist Darkoo, and Canadian-Congolese singer Deborah Lukalu represent the female contingent, while French-Algerian DJ Snake, along with Tayc and Niska, feature prominently in the male categories.
This international presence underscores what AFRIMA jury member Delani Makhalima described as “evidence of African music’s global impact,” adding that “for years our voices were not heard, but today African music is global. This is AFRIMA, the biggest music entity on the continent.”
The 2025 edition promises to be more than just an awards ceremony. The celebration will run from November 25 to 30, 2025, featuring the Welcome Soiree, the AFRIMA Music Village, the Africa Music Business Summit, and the Nominees Party, and culminating in the grand finale on November 30.
The grand finale will be broadcast live to over 84 countries, further cementing AFRIMA’s position as Africa’s most-watched music celebration. The choice of Lagos as the host city, in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria and Lagos State, reflects the city’s status as a continental entertainment hub and its growing influence in the global creative economy.
As the continent’s music industry continues its unprecedented global ascent, AFRIMA 2025 represents more than just an awards ceremony—it’s a celebration of African creativity, diversity, and international influence. The mix of established stars and emerging talents suggests a healthy ecosystem where veteran artists continue to innovate while new voices push boundaries and explore uncharted territories.
The November celebration in Lagos will not only crown this year’s winners but also serve as a platform for networking, collaboration, and business development through events like the Africa Music Business Summit. With the highest number of entries in the award’s history and representation spanning from Morocco to South Africa and from London to Montreal, AFRIMA 2025 stands as a testament to the unstoppable rise of African music on the world stage.
For fans across the continent and beyond, the countdown to November 30 begins now, as Africa prepares to celebrate its musical excellence in what promises to be the most spectacular AFRIMA celebration yet.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
AFRIMA 2025 marks a historic milestone for African music with a record-breaking 10,717 entries—the highest in 12 years—proving the continent’s exploding global influence. The fierce competition between established superstars like Burna Boy and Davido (5 nominations each) against rising stars like Shallipopi demonstrates a healthy, evolving music ecosystem.
