AFRIMAs announce 2019 programme

The AFRIMAs said pre-screening of nomination entries would take place between 3 and 5 August, after the submission deadline on 2 August.

The adjudication process will run from 6 to 12 August and will be conducted by an international jury of 13 experienced African music experts and practitioners.

The nominees in the 36 categories will be made public on 13 August and the voting process will begin on 19 August and close 24 hours before the awards in Accra, Ghana, from 6 to 9 November.

The ceremony will commence with the Welcome Soiree, a reception in honour of arriving AFRIMA nominees and delegates, African Union (AU) officials, members of the AFRIMA international committee, media and other guests. This will be followed by the AFRIMA Music Village where the attendees will enjoy performances by artists from across the continent.

Delegates will then be taken on a tour of the host city, which will be followed by the Africa Music Business Summit (AMBS). The AFRIMAs will then hold a nominees party, with the programme concluding with the awards ceremony.

This programme was revealed during a music and culture conference in Douala, Cameroon, last week. Speaking during the conference, AFRIMA associate producer Adenrele Niyi said the decision to hold the conference in Cameroon was because of the growing impact Cameroonian music and culture had on the continent.

"Cameroon has shown that it is a powerhouse of music in Central Africa, especially with Cameroonian artists featuring prominently on the annual AFRIMA nominees list,” she said.

“An appreciable number of Cameroonians have won AFRIMA trophies in the past editions including the legendary Manu Dibango, who has been honoured by the AU and AFRIMA for his influence in African music. However, the AU and AFRIMA are also interested in examining ways we can use the sixth AFRIMA programme of events to engender greater unity and peace in all regions of Cameroon by working with all relevant stakeholders in the country”.

During the conference, members of the Cameroonian music and entertainment industry pledged to support the AU Commission and AFRIMA by working towards the vision for an integrated, prosperous and unified Africa.

“I want to see beyond winning awards opportunities for investment and growth in our local music industry," Cameroonian musician and AFRIMA 2016 Best Male Artist in Central Africa Award winner Wax Dey said.

"That is why I would support the AFRIMAs hosting one of its build-up events or even the main awards in Cameroon. This would be advantageous for us and we should offer any assistance we can to make this happen here in Cameroon."