Excitement is mounting as the 2025 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) gears up in full swing, with members of its International Jury now arriving in Lagos, Nigeria, for an intense, week-long adjudication session. From Friday, August 8 to Saturday, August 16, the 13-member jury will screen thousands of music entries submitted from across the continent and the diaspora, representing categories such as songwriting, music production, albums, videos, choreography, and even unrecorded talents.
This crucial phase will culminate in the emergence of the AFRIMA 2025 Nominees List, set to be announced on August 24. The shortlist will then open the voting period, allowing the AFRIMA Academy, alongside fans and music lovers around the world, to vote for their favourite nominees on the official AFRIMA website. Voting will close 24 hours before the grand awards ceremony on November 30, with the results monitored and audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers to ensure full transparency.
Themed “Unstoppable Africa,” this year’s edition once again partners with the African Union, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Lagos State as the official host city. AFRIMA 2025 will feature more than 40 award categories, celebrating musical talent from every region of Africa and the diaspora, spanning all genres and styles.
Speaking on the rigorous process ahead, Ms. Hadja Kobele, representing the African diaspora in North America on the jury panel, stressed the team’s dedication to credibility and fairness. “We take this job very seriously,” Kobele stated. “Each entry submitted, whether it comes from a household name or an emerging voice, will be assessed strictly on merit. Our criteria are clear: musical quality, originality, impact, and cultural relevance. AFRIMA isn’t about industry politics or social media popularity; it’s about honouring the music, the message, and the creators behind it.”
She continued, “The whole continent is watching, and we have to ensure that only the most deserving talents and works are nominated. This is a celebration of African excellence, and we are committed to making sure that the process remains fair, credible, and free of bias. No shortcuts, no sentiment — just pure, honest work in service of African music.”
The jury is composed of respected music executives, producers, journalists, cultural experts, and festival organisers from across Africa and the diaspora. This year welcomes three new members: Marwane Fachane from Morocco (North Africa), Lucy Ilado from Kenya (East Africa), and Messie Mboukou from Congo Brazzaville (Central Africa). Other notable members include Olisa Adibua (Nigeria, Jury-in-Charge), Emil Ngumbah (Cameroon), Vicensia Shule (African Union), Joett (Tanzania), Hossam El Gamal (Egypt), Delani Makhalima (Zimbabwe), Adam Tiran (South Africa), Motolani Alake (Nigeria), and Guy Neza (Côte d’Ivoire).
AFRIMA 2025 will run in Lagos from November 25 to 30, featuring the Africa Music Business Summit, the Music Village Concert, the Nominees Party, and the grand Awards Night. The ceremony will be broadcast live to over 84 countries, reinforcing its status as Africa’s premier platform for celebrating the continent’s rich musical heritage and global influence.
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