AFRIMA announces 2025 nominees as voting opens 10 September

The awards drew a record 10 717 entries this year, the highest since the event was launched 12 years ago. A 13-member jury shortlisted 343 nominees across 40 categories covering Africa’s five regions and the diaspora.

Nigeria’s Burna Boy and Davido, South Africa’s DJ Maphorisa and Morocco’s El Grande Toto head the list with five nominations each. They are joined by Senegal’s Mia Guissé and Ghana’s Moliy, who also secured five nods, underscoring the growing role of women in African music.

Shallipopi, one of Nigeria’s rising stars, earned four nominations, including Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for Laho. Other four-time nominees include Egypt’s Amr Diab, Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz, South Africa’s Tyla and eSwatini’s Uncle Waffles, reflecting the strength of African pop, amapiano and Afro-house sounds.

Côte d’Ivoire’s Himra and Didi B, Gabon’s Eboloko and Emma’a, and DR Congo’s Fally Ipupa and Ferre Gola also made the shortlist with three nominations each. Nigeria’s Rema, South Africa’s Nasty C and Mawhoo, Morocco’s Jaylann and Tanzania’s Juma Jux are also competing with three nods. Ayra Starr has two nominations but will contest the prestigious Artiste of the Year category against Davido, Burna Boy and El Grande Toto.

The diaspora section includes DJ Snake, Niska, Tayc, Aya Nakamura, Darkoo and Deborah Lukalu among the nominees.

AFRIMA jury member Delani Makhalima said the 2025 list highlighted African music’s growing reach. “Twelve years in, we’re now here. This is global. This is AFRIMA, the biggest music entity on the face of the continent,” he said.

The awards will take place in Lagos from 25 to 30 November, featuring the AFRIMA Music Village, the Africa Music Business Summit and the main ceremony, which will be broadcast in over 80 countries.

See attached the full list of nominees: