African music heavyweights, led by Nigeria’s Davido, Burna Boy, Rema, Shallipopi, and Ayra Starr, have been unveiled as top contenders for the 2025 All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA.
They feature alongside Morocco’s El Grande Toto, DR Congo’s Fally Ipupa, Ghana’s Moliy, Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz, South Africa’s DJ Maphorisa and Tyla, and Senegal’s Mia Guissé.
AFRIMA’s PR and Media Relations Manager, Mr. Michael Osunnuyi, said in a statement that the 2025 edition attracted 10,717 entries , the highest submission since the awards debuted 12 years ago.
After a 10-day adjudication process, a 13-member international jury shortlisted 343 nominees across 40 categories, representing Africa’s five regions and the diaspora.
Burna Boy and Davido lead the nominations with five apiece, including ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Song of the Year’. They are matched by South Africa’s DJ Maphorisa, Morocco’s El Grande Toto, Ghana’s Moliy, and Senegal’s Mia Guissé, underlining the diverse spread of talent.
Nigeria’s Shallipopi earned four nominations including ‘Artiste of the Year’, while Egypt’s Amr Diab, Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz, Tyla from South Africa and Eswatini’s Uncle Waffles also secured four nominations each.
Other artistes with three nominations include Côte d’Ivoire’s Himra, Gabon’s Eboloko, DR Congo’s Fally Ipupa and Nigeria’s Rema. Ayra Starr also earned multiple nods, reinforcing the strong showing of Nigerian artistes this year.
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The diaspora category features strong contenders including DJ Snake, Aya Nakamura, Darkoo, and Deborah Lukalu.
AFRIMA jury member, Delani Makhalima, described the 2025 nominees list as proof of African music’s growing global dominance.
Scheduled for November 25 to 30, AFRIMA 2025 is being organised in partnership with the African Union Commission, the Nigerian Government, and Lagos State as the host city.