African celebrities, diplomats, and key stakeholders in the creative industry gathered in Lagos on Wednesday evening for the Welcome Soirée marking the official opening of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) week.
The exclusive event, hosted at the Deputy British High Commission Residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, brought together AFRIMA nominees, industry leaders, global partners, and creatives for an evening of cultural exchange, networking, and celebration of African music.
President of AFRIMA, Mr Mike Dada, said the platform was designed to go beyond the music awards by fostering unity, collaboration and positive narratives about Africa.
He noted that AFRIMA remained committed to telling Africa’s authentic stories through music while positioning the continent as a competitive force in the global creative economy.
”Music is one of Africa’s most powerful means of expression and identity. Through AFRIMA, we are building bridges between nations, changing perceptions, and creating opportunities for African talents and professionals.
“Beyond celebration, AFRIMA serves as a strategic platform for cultural diplomacy, economic empowerment and global engagement for the African creative industry.“Our goal is to ensure that African music continues to command respect, relevance and value on the global stage, while creating sustainable opportunities for the next generation,” Dada said.
He stressed the importance of partnerships with governments, the media and other stakeholders to sustain the growth of Africa’s creative ecosystem.
“Strategic collaboration remains critical to creating enabling policies, expanding opportunities and ensuring long-term value for creative talents across the continent.
“A united approach among key players will not only strengthen Africa’s creative economy but also position it competitively on the global stage,” he said.
The Welcome Soirée featured cultural ambience and informal interactions that set the tone for the series of events lined up for AFRIMA week.
Since its inception, AFRIMA has played a key role in promoting African music, culture and identity globally, while strengthening unity among African countries.
Some of the celebrities in attendance included Kunle Afolayan, Juliet Ibrahim, Koffi Olomide, and Falz, among others.
AFRIMA is scheduled to hold from Jan. 7 to Jan. 11 2026
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