Nigerian artists delivered a commanding performance at the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), which concluded on Sunday night in Lagos, reinforcing the country’s status as a dominant force in contemporary African music and underscoring the global momentum of Afrobeats. The ceremony, the climax of a week-long celebration of African sound and culture, saw Nigerian stars secure many of the night’s most prestigious honours, drawing loud acclaim from an audience that included music executives, artists, policymakers, and fans from across the continent and the diaspora. The strong showing was widely seen as a reflection of Nigeria’s expansive music ecosystem, its ability to consistently produce globally resonant stars, and its growing influence in shaping African pop culture on the world stage.
At the centre of the night’s biggest moments was global superstar Burna Boy, who clinched the coveted Album of the Year award for his latest project, No Sign of Weakness, further cementing his reputation as one of Africa’s most influential contemporary artists. Burna Boy also shared the award for Best African Collaboration with fast-rising Nigerian act Shallipopi, highlighting an intergenerational synergy within Nigeria’s music scene. Shallipopi, whose rise has been fuelled by viral success and street-inspired lyricism, emerged as one of the night’s standout winners after also claiming Song of the Year for his hit single Laho, a track that dominated social media and streaming platforms across Africa in recent months.
Other Nigerian artists also enjoyed major recognition across multiple categories, with Rema leading the tally for the evening after winning three awards: Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, and Best African Artiste in RnB and Soul. His wins reflected both his commercial success and his crossover appeal to global audiences. Yemi Alade was honoured with the Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary award for her song You Are from the animated series Iyanu, while veteran rapper Phyno was named Best African Artiste in African Hip-Hop, a nod to his longevity and influence within the genre. The awards also shone a spotlight on emerging talent, with Qing Madi crowned Most Promising Artiste of the Year and Chella winning the African Fans’ Favourite award, underscoring AFRIMA’s emphasis on both established stars and the next generation of African music talent.
Beyond Nigeria’s dominance, the ceremony maintained its pan-African character by celebrating artists from across the continent, reflecting AFRIMA’s mission to promote African music without borders. Senegal’s Bakhaw Dioum won Songwriter of the Year, while Algeria’s DJ Moh Green claimed the DJ of the Year award, edging out several high-profile contenders from South Africa. Ghana’s Wendy Shay was named Best Female Artiste in Western Africa, South Africa’s Nontokozo Mkhize took home Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa, and Tanzania’s Juma Jux emerged as Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa. These wins highlighted the diversity of African musical expression and the competitive depth across regions, even as Nigerian artists led the overall honours.
The 9th AFRIMA, adjudicated by a diverse panel of music experts drawn from across Africa and the diaspora, culminated a week of industry events, performances, and conversations about the future of African music. Nigeria’s strong showing at the awards was widely interpreted as further evidence of the sustained global rise of Afrobeats, a genre that blends African rhythms with Western influences and has achieved remarkable international reach. Burna Boy’s continued success, in particular, reinforced his role as one of Afrobeats’ most prominent ambassadors, with his Album of the Year win serving as both a personal milestone and a symbol of the genre’s expanding global footprint.
Below is the full list of winners.
Best Male Artist in Central Africa
• C4 Pedro (Angola)
• Eboloko (Gabon)
• Gims (DRC)
• Gerilson Insrael (Angola)
• Kocee (Cameroon)
• L’Oiseau Rare (Gabon)
• Fally Ipupa (DRC)
• Magasco (Cameroon)
• Singuila (The Congo) – Winner
• Werrason (DRC)
Best Female Artiste in Central Africa
• Anna Joyce (Angola)
• Blanche Bailly (Cameroon)
• Charlotte Dipanda (Cameroon)
• Cindy Le Coeur (DRC) – Winner
• Deborah Lukalu (DRC)
• Emma’a (Gabon)
• Jessy B (The Congo)
• Krys M (Cameroon)
• Liriany (Angola)
• Rebo (DRC)
Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa
• Bien (Kenya)
• Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
• Element Eleéh (Rwanda)
• Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
• Jux (Tanzania) – Winner
• Marioo (Tanzania)
• Mbosso (Tanzania)
• Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
• Sat-B (Burundi)
• Yared Negu (Ethiopia)
Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa
• Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
• Bridget Blue (Kenya)
• Denise (Madagascar) – winner
• Haleluya Tekletsadik (Ethiopia)
• Lady Jaydee (Tanzania)
• Mahlet Wendimu (Ethiopia)
• Salemia (Ethiopia)
• Weeha (Ethiopia)
• Winnie Nwagi (Uganda)
• Zuchu (Tanzania)
Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa
• A.L.A. (Tunisia)
• Adviser (Mauritania)
• Amr Diab (Egypt)
• Cheb Momo (Algeria)
• El Grande Toto (Morocco)
• Hamza Namira (Egypt)
• Lbenj (Morocco)
• Mohamed Ramadan (Egypt)
• Stormy (Morocco)
• Wegz (Egypt)
Best Female Artiste in Northern Africa
• Chirine Lajmi (Tunisia)
• Inez (Morocco)
• Jannat (Egypt)
• Jaylann (Morocco)
• Manal (Morocco)
• Meryem Aboulouafa (Morocco)
• Sherine (Egypt) – Winner
• Zina Daoudia (Morocco)
Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa
• Anderson Mário (Mozambique)
• Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe)
• Manana (Eswatini)
• Nasty C (South Africa)
• Teddy Makadi (Malawi)
• Tyler ICU (South Africa)
• Wanitwamos (South Africa)
• Yo Maps (Zambia) – Winner
• Zeze Kingston (Malawi)
• Kazba De Small (South Africa)
Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa
• Babalwa M (South Africa)
• Hanna (Zimbabwe)
• Makhadzi (South Africa)
• Nkosazana Daughter (South Africa)
• Nontokozo Mkhize (South Africa) – Winner
• Sha Sha (Zimbabwe)
• Temwah (Malawi)
• Tyla (South Africa)
• Uncle Waffles (Eswatini)
• Zee Nxumalo (South Africa)
Best Male Artiste in Western Africa
• Asake (Nigeria)
• Axel Merryl (Benin)
• Black Sherif (Ghana)
• Burna Boy (Nigeria)
• Davido (Nigeria)
• Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Djodje (Cape Verde)
• Rema (Nigeria) – Winner
• VJ (Senegal)
• Wizkid (Nigeria)
Best Female Artiste in Western Africa
• Amaarae (Ghana)
• Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
• Djelykaba Bintou (Guinea)
• Josey (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Mariam Ba Lagaré (Mali)
• Mia Guissé (Senegal)
• Moliy (Ghana)
• Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
• Viviane Chidid (Senegal)
• Wendy Shay (Ghana) – Winner
CONTINENTAL CATEGORY
Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music
• Christian Mukuna (DRC)
• Djunny Beatz (Mozambique)
• Gaise Baba (Nigeria)
• Israel Mbonyi (Rwanda)
• Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe)
• Joel Lwaga (Tanzania)
• Kocee (Cameroon)
• Lawrence Oyor (Nigeria)
• Milo (Côte d’Ivoire) – Winner
• Sjava (South Africa)
Best Female Artiste in African Inspirational Music
• Ada Ehi (Nigeria)
• Choisie Basolua (DRC)
• Krys M (Cameroon)
• Martha Mwaipaja (Tanzania)
• Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
• Morijah (Côte d’Ivoire) – Winner
• Nontokozo Mkhize (South Africa)
• Roseline Layo (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Vestine & Dorcas (Rwanda)
Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Jazz
• Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad (Ghana)
• Haddinqo (Ethiopia) – Winner
• Mádé Kuti (Nigeria)
• Rorisang Sechele (South Africa)
• Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane (South Africa)
• The Cavemen (Nigeria)
• Alune Wade (Senegal)
• Nomfundo Xaluva (South Africa)
• Kyle Shepherd Trio (South Africa)
Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary
• Fireboy DML (Nigeria)
• Axel Merryl (Benin) – Winner
• Espe Bass (Congo B)
• Bien (Kenya)
• Jaylann (Morocco)
• Kizz Daniel, Angélique Kidjo & Johnny Drille (Nigeria)
• Mbosso (Tanzania)
• Ferre Gola & Rayvanny (DRC)
• Didine Canon 16 (Algeria)
• Wendy Shay (Ghana)
Best Soundtrack in Movie, Series, or Documentary
• Igho’le Trap Mix Version (“To Kill a Monkey”: Series) – Oscar Heman-Ackah (Ghana)
• El Ma2as (“The Start”: Film) – Tamer Hosny, Reda Elbahrawy (Egypt)
• You Are (“Iyanu”: The Animated Series) – Yemi Alade (Nigeria) – Winner
• Timpi Tampa (“Timpi Tampa”: The Film) – Ismaël Lo (Senegal)
• Tori Ife (“Seven Doors”: Series) – Tolu Obanro (Nigeria)
• Saatte Ragouj (“The Last of the Mohicans” Film) – Kafon (Tunisia)
Songwriter of the Year
• Bakhaw Dioum – “Choix” (Mia Guissé ft. Wally B. Seck) (Senegal) – Winner
• Emel, Jehanny Beth & Camille Berthomier – “Fall in the Light” (Tunisia)
• Emma’a – “Trop d’amour” (Gabon)
• Emmanuel Ayobami Alli-Hakeem – “Za” (Anendlessocean) (Nigeria)
• Ferre Gola – “Amour Illusoire” (DRC)
• Mohammed Ismail Sharrif – “Rebel Music” (Black Sherif) (Ghana)
• Mugisha Fred Robinson – “Tombé” (Element Eleéh) (Rwanda)
• Olamide Adedeji – “Hassibunallah” (Olamide) (Nigeria)
• Prince Omoferi & Nwamu Francis Chukwudubem – “It Hurts” (Johnny Drille & Don Jazzy) (Nigeria)
• Victor Ngatuvese Kaune – “Oputuri ‘Queens’” (One Blood Namibia) (Namibia)
African Fans’ Favourite
• Ali Jita (Nigeria)
• Barnaba (Tanzania)
• BNXN & Rema (Nigeria)
• Chella (Nigeria) – Winner
• Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
• Innoss’b (DRC)
• Kizz Daniel (Nigeria)
• Parazar (Algeria)
• Faceless (Nigeria)
• Tul8te (Egypt)
Best African DJ
• DJ Malvado (Angola)
• DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)
• DJ Moh Green (Algeria) – Winner
• DJ Mombochi (The Congo)
• DJ Tunez (Nigeria)
• DJ YK Mule (Nigeria)
• Kelvin Momo (South Africa)
• Oscar Mbo (South Africa)
• Uncle Waffles (Eswatini)
• Woodblock Djs (South Africa)
Producer of the Year
• Beneth Seraphin Akatché Koffi (Senegal)
• Butternut, Xolani Majoz (South Africa)
• Dina One (Mali)
• Element Eleéh & Mugisha Fred Robinson (Rwanda) – Winners
• Jazzworx (South Africa)
• Progrex (Nigeria)
• DaVinci (Angola)
• Tempoe (Nigeria)
• Themba Sekowe, Gomolemo Joy Gumede, Kabelo Motha (South Africa)
Album of the Year
• Ebtadena – Amr Diab (Egypt)
• No Sign of Weakness – Burna Boy (Nigeria) – Winner
• 5ive – Davido (Nigeria)
• Diyilem & Bazarhoff: Genius – Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Ngomoya – DJ Maphorisa & XDuppy (South Africa)
• Salgoat – El Grande Toto (Morocco)
• Big Aka 4 Aka Kai – Himra (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Thato Ya Modimo – Kelvin Momo (South Africa)
• Idrache (Traces of the Past) – Tinariwen (Mali)
Best African Video of the Year
• “Rebel” – Black Sherif (Ghana)
• “Meta” – Nomcebo Zikode & Sofiya Nzau (South Africa)
• “Ki Lo Wa Wa” – Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
• “Timpi Tampa” – Ismaël Lo (Senegal)
• “Tori Ife” – Tolu Obanro (Nigeria)
• “Ova” – Mbosso (Tanzania) – Winner
• “Ololufe” – Juma Jux & Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
• “Shaolin” – Seyi Vibez (Nigeria)
• “Stk Stk” – Dizzy Dros, Kekra & Norfafrica (Morocco)
Song of the Year
• “Isaka (6AM)” – Ciza, Jazzworx & Thukuthela (South Africa)
• “Bengicela” – Mawhoo Gl Ceejay & Thukuthela (South Africa)
• “Choix” – Mia Guissé (Senegal)
• “Diplomatico” – El Grande Toto (Morocco)
• “Kaay Waay” – VJ (Senegal)
• “Laho” – Shallipopi (Nigeria) – Winner
• “Ololufe Mi” – Jux & Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
• “Push 2 Start” – Tyla (South Africa)
• “Shake it to the Max” – Moliy, Shenseea, Skillibeng & Silent Addy (Ghana)
• “With You” – Davido (Nigeria)
Best African Dance/Choreography
• Jaylann – “Ha Wlidi” (Morocco)
• Lady Ponce – “Je veux danser” (Cameroon)
• Rebo – “Mobambo” (DRC)
• Serge Beynaud – “Taper Dedans” (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Toofan – “Deodorant” (Togo)
• Tyla – “Push 2 Start” (South Africa)
• Uncle Waffles & Royal Musiq – “Zenzele” (Eswatini)
• Weeha – “Dimama” (Ethiopia) – Winner
• Werrason – “Tout se paie ici bas” (DRC)
• Wizkid – “Kese” (Nigeria)
Best African Act Reggae, Ragga & Dancehall
• Magasco – “Dirty Whine” (Cameroon)
• Moliy, Shenseea, Skillibeng & Silent Addy – “Shake it to the Max” (Ghana)
• Ruger & Kranium – “Dudu” (Nigeria)
• Sean Morgan – “Vuu” (Malawi)
• Black Sherif – “Rebel Music” (Ghana)
• Takana Zion – “On My Eyes” (Guinea) – Winner
• Tiwa Savage – “Forgiveness” (Nigeria)
• Wakadinli – “Kum Baba” (Kenya)
• Yemi Alade – “Baddie” (Nigeria)
• Iyani, Mwanaa & Cedo – “Kifo cha Mende” (Kenya)
Best African Collaboration
• Blanche Bailly & Lady Ponce – “Lève toi” (Cameroon)
• Goon Flavour, Master Kg & Eemoh – “Ngishutheni” (South Africa)
• Mia Guissé ft. Wally Seck – “Choix” (Senegal)
• Moliy, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea – “Shake It to the Max” (Ghana)
• Paki Chenzu ft. Himra – “Assaut” (Togo/Côte d’Ivoire)
• Shallipopi ft. Burna Boy – “Laho” (Nigeria) – Winner
• Uncle Waffles ft. Cowboii, Royal Musiq, Uncool MC & Xduppy – “Zenzele” (Eswatini)
• Davido ft. Omah Lay – “With You” (Nigeria)
• Mawhoo, GL Ceejay & Thukuthela ft. Jazzworx – “Bengicela” (South Africa)
• Benny Adam & Khadija El Warzazia – “Mok Ya Mok” (Morocco)
Most Promising Artiste of the Year
• Cysoul (Cameroon)
• Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
• King Luca (Cameroon)
• L’Oiseau Rare (Gabon)
• Lwah Ndlunkulu (South Africa)
• Massamba Amadeus (Senegal)
• Qing Madi, Valorant (Nigeria) – Winner
• Rym (Morocco)
• Kunmie (Nigeria)
• Fola (Nigeria)
Artiste of the Year
• Amr Diab (Egypt)
• Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
• Burna Boy (Nigeria)
• Davido (Nigeria)
• DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)
• El Grande Toto (Morocco)
• Fally Ipupa (DRC)
• Jux (Tanzania)
• Rema (Nigeria) – Winner
• Shallipopi (Nigeria)
• Tyla (South Africa)
Breakout Artiste of the Year
• Blaq Major (South Africa)
• Ciza (South Africa) – Winner
• Eboloko (Gabon)
• Himra (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Marioo (Tanzania)
• Mawhoo (South Africa)
• Moliy (Ghana)
• Shallipopi (Nigeria)
• Trap King (Algeria)
• VJ (Senegal)
Best African Lyricist Rapper
• ALA (Tunisia)
• Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire) – Winner
• Jessy B (Congo B)
• Klassafan le Melangeur (Guinea)
• Nasty C & Usimamane (South Africa)
• Nyashinski (Kenya)
• Reminisce (Nigeria)
• Sarkodie (Ghana)
• Switch (Libya)
• Yacou B OG (Mali)
Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hiphop
• ALA ft. Mootjeyek (Tunisia)
• Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
• Eboloko (Gabon)
• El Grande Toto (Morocco)
• Himra (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Phyno (Nigeria) – Winner
• Nasty C & Usimamane (South Africa)
• Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
• Sarkodie (Ghana)
• Suspect 95 (Côte d’Ivoire)
Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African RnB & Soul
• Bensoul & V- Be (Kenya)
• Big Zulu ft. Malungelo (South Africa)
• Braye (Nigeria)
• Calema (Sao Tome)
• Emma’a (Gabon)
• Kunmie (Nigeria)
• Manal (Morocco)
• Naledi Aphiwe & Mawelele (South Africa)
• Rema (Nigeria) – Winner
• Wegz ft. Tayc (Egypt)
Best African Duo, Group or Band
• Babylone (Algeria)
• Blaq Diamond (South Africa)
• Celema (Sao Tome & Principe)
• Team Paiya (Côte d’Ivoire) – Winner
• The Cavemen (Nigeria)
• Tinariwen (Mali)
• Toofan (Togo)
• Vestine & Dorcas (Rwanda)
• Wapendwa Muziki (Kenya)
• We Are Nubia (Kenya)