Senegal to host 8th AFRIMAs

This was revealed during a 4 November ceremony attended by Senegalese government officials, AFRIMAs delegates, AUC officials and African music stakeholders.

Tagged the ‘Teranga Edition’, this year’s AFRIMAs were originally scheduled for 3 to 6 November but will now be held from 12 to 15 January 2023, marking the first time that the main awards ceremony will be held in a Francophone African country.

The organisers say that apart from promoting and celebrating Senegalese values and culture, the AFRIMAs platform will expose local young people to the creative economy and create knowledge-building and collaborative opportunities with leading African artists who will be at the event.

“The AUC has been a strong partner and collaborator of the prestigious awards since its first edition in 2014,” AUC head for culture and social affairs Angela Martins said. “This prestigious platform gives expression and supports the implementation of the AU policy instruments in the creative economy including the AU Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries.

“As you are aware, Senegal is known for its huge investment in the arts, culture and heritage. The hosting of the AFRIMAs gathering is thus a step in the right direction to bring back the beautiful city of Dakar to the map as one of the capital cities of music in Africa and around the world.”

Makhtar Diop, AFRIMAs country director for Senegal, said: “I am excited that the International Committee of AFRIMAs and the African Union listened to our plea and pitch to bring the AFRIMAs to Senegal for the benefit of the tourism and music industry. I thank the president and the government for supporting this project that will change the creative industry and boost tourism in Senegal.”

Phillipe Ba, a representative for Senegal’s Minister of Tourism and Air Transport, Alioune Sarr, said: “Personally and on behalf of the Senegalese government, welcome to Senegal, the home of the champions of football. Now Senegal is also positioning herself to become the champion of music because we are hosting the eighth AFRIMAs. We are happy knowing that Senegal will be the third country and the first Francophone country to host this great event.”

The AFRIMAs will feature fringe activities including a welcome soiree, the AFRIMAs Music Village, a host city tour, the African Music Business Summit and a nominees’ party.

The voting deadline for nominees is 13 January 2023. Fans can vote for their favourite artists via the AFRIMAs website.

At the 2021 AFRIMAs in Lagos, Nigeria, Malian singer Iba One walked away with five awards  – the most on the night. Nigerian superstar Wizkid won the Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration and Song of the Year awards.