The 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) concluded in grand style on Sunday night, with Nigeria's music elite leading the charge on the continental stage. The event, held in Lagos, saw a constellation of African stars celebrated, with Nigerian artists securing a significant number of the top honours.
Nigerian Dominance on the Continental Stage
The night belonged to Nigeria's young superstar, Rema, who emerged as the biggest winner. He clinched three prestigious awards, including the coveted Artiste of the Year title. He also won Best Male Artiste in Western Africa and Best African Artiste in RnB and Soul, solidifying his status as a leading force in African music.
Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy added another major trophy to his collection, winning Album of the Year for his critically acclaimed work, 'No Sign of Weakness'. Veteran songstress Yemi Alade also shone, winning Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary for her song 'You Are' from the animated series 'Iyanu'.
The new generation made a powerful statement as well. Shallipopi won the highly competitive Song of the Year award for 'Laho' and also took home Best African Collaboration for the same track featuring Burna Boy. Veteran rapper Phyno was named Best African Artiste in African Hip-Hop, while fast-rising singer Chella was voted the African Fans' Favourite. The promising Qing Madi was crowned Most Promising Artiste of the Year.
Pan-African Celebration of Talent
While Nigeria's presence was strongly felt, AFRIMA 2026 was a true celebration of talent from across the continent. Winners hailed from every region, showcasing the rich diversity of African music.
In the regional categories, Singuila from The Congo won Best Male Artiste in Central Africa, while the DRC's Cindy Le Coeur won the female equivalent. Tanzania's Jux and Madagascar's Denise were victorious in Eastern Africa. Egypt's Sherine won Best Female Artiste in Northern Africa, and Zambia's Yo Maps and South Africa's Nontokozo Mkhize triumphed in the Southern African categories. Ghana's Wendy Shay won Best Female Artiste in Western Africa.
Key Winners Across Other Categories
The awards also honoured excellence in specific genres and technical fields. The winners list highlights the continent's vibrant music ecosystem:
- Best African DJ: DJ Moh Green (Algeria)
- Producer of the Year: Element Eleéh & Mugisha Fred Robinson (Rwanda)
- Best African Video: 'Ova' by Mbosso (Tanzania)
- Best African Dance/Choreography: Weeha for 'Dimama' (Ethiopia)
- Breakout Artiste of the Year: Ciza (South Africa)
- Best African Duo, Group or Band: Team Paiya (Côte d’Ivoire)
The 9th AFRIMA ceremony not only rewarded past achievements but also spotlighted the next wave of African talent, promising an exciting future for the continent's dynamic music industry.
