The African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Executive Committee of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) have announced the postponement of the 9th edition of the awards to January 2026.
In a statement released on Thursday, the organisers confirmed that the event will now take place from Wednesday, January 7 to Sunday, January 11, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria. The awards ceremony was initially scheduled for November 25–30, 2025, but was moved after comprehensive discussions with artistes, partners, and stakeholders across Africa and the diaspora.
Angela Martins, Acting Director of Social Development, Culture, and Sports at the AUC, reaffirmed the commission’s pride in its collaboration with AFRIMA to promote Africa’s creative excellence and strengthen its global footprint.
“This relationship aligns with the AU’s Cultural Policy for Africa and Agenda 2063. Both prioritise the creative economy as a driver of sustainable development, youth empowerment, and continental integration. The new dates for the 9th AFRIMA in January 2026 provide an exciting opportunity to further showcase Africa’s diversity, innovation, and unity to the world,” Martins stated.
Earlier in April 2025, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had announced the state’s readiness to host the event, highlighting that it supports his administration’s vision to make the creative and tourism sectors key components of development. By May 2025, the AU and AFRIMA jointly unveiled Lagos as the official host city at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In September 2025, the organisers released the list of nominees, which featured some of Africa’s biggest stars, including Burna Boy, Davido, DJ Maphorisa, El Grande Toto, Rema, Shallipopi, and Ayra Starr. Public voting began globally on September 10, 2025.
Explaining the rationale behind the rescheduling, AFRIMA’s Regional Director for Central Africa, Nde Ndifonka, popularly known as Wax Dey, said the new dates would allow for a superior production and broader participation.
“AFRIMA is not just an award show; it is Africa’s global music stage. Rescheduling the 9th edition to January allows us to deliver a truly world-class celebration that reflects Africa’s creative power. It also ensures that more of our stakeholders, artistes, fans, media, and partners can participate fully. This is about giving African music the grand platform it deserves,” he said.
The upcoming edition will be held in partnership with the African Union Commission, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Lagos State Government, which will serve as the official host city.
The week-long celebration will combine music, culture, and entertainment. It will kick off on January 7, 2026, with a Welcome Soirée for nominees and delegates, alongside the AFRIMA Diamond Showcase, which will spotlight 15 emerging African talents.
On January 8, 2026, the Africa Music Business Summit (AMBS) will hold, followed by the Music Icons’ Night, a tribute to legendary figures who have defined Africa’s musical heritage.
The following day, January 9, will feature school outreach programs, a host city cultural tour, and a courtesy reception with the Lagos State Government, culminating in the AFRIMA Music Village, a vibrant open-air concert featuring live performances by leading stars.
The Nominees and Industry Party will take place on January 10, celebrating nominees, sponsors, and past winners.
The grand finale will be the AFRIMA Awards Ceremony on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos. The event will be broadcast live to more than 84 countries worldwide, reinforcing AFRIMA’s status as the continent’s premier music awards platform.
What You Should Know
The postponement of the 9th AFRIMA to January 2026 reflects the organisers’ commitment to delivering a world-class event that highlights Africa’s cultural richness and musical excellence.
With Lagos as the host city, the celebration aims to amplify African talent on a global scale and strengthen the continent’s creative economy.
