The 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) took place on Sunday night in Lagos, Nigeria, spotlighting the rich musical talent spread across the continent. This year’s ceremony, held at the Convention Centre of Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island, was a grand celebration of Africa’s cultural diversity and its vibrant music scene. Nigerian artists were particularly prominent among the winners, with big names such as Burna Boy, Rema, Yemi Alade, Shallipopi, and Phyno securing top honors.
Rema Shines Brightest with Triple Wins
Rema, the youthful Nigerian sensation known widely for his hit track Calm Down, emerged as the most awarded artist of the night. At just 24 years old, the Afrobeat star swept three major awards, cementing his status as one of the continent’s most exciting talents.
He took home the awards for Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, Artiste of the Year, and Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in the African RnB/Soul category for his hit Calm Down. His success was particularly notable as he triumphed over other heavyweight Nigerian musicians, including Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, and Asake, in the fiercely competitive categories of Best Male Artiste in Western Africa and Artiste of the Year.
Burna Boy’s Album Takes Top Honors
Burna Boy also had a victorious night, winning the prestigious Album of the Year award for No Sign of Weakness. The album has been widely celebrated for its fusion of Afrobeat, reggae, and dancehall, showcasing Burna Boy’s signature style and lyrical depth.
Yemi Alade and Shallipopi Among Other Nigerian Winners
Yemi Alade, another powerhouse in Nigerian music, was recognized for her contribution to film soundtracks, winning the award for Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series, or Documentary for You Are, featured in Iyanu: The Animated Series.
Meanwhile, the rising star Shallipopi made a significant impact by winning Song of the Year with his track Laho. He also shared the award for Best African Collaboration with Burna Boy for the same song, highlighting the growing trend of collaborative works in the African music industry.
Phyno, a stalwart in Nigerian hip-hop, was honored as Best African Artiste in African Hip-Hop, while Chella won the African Fans’ Favourite award, further showcasing the diversity of Nigeria’s musical exports.
Continental Representation Across Categories
The awards extended beyond Nigeria, celebrating talent across Africa’s regions. Tanzanian singer Jux took home the Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa award, while Cindy Le Coeur from the Democratic Republic of Congo was named Best Female Artiste in Central Africa.
The AFRIMA 2026 ceremony not only highlighted contemporary African music but also emphasized the continent’s rich cultural heritage. This marked the third time Lagos played host to the event, following successful editions in Ghana and Senegal, underscoring Nigeria’s growing prominence in the African entertainment landscape.
The evening was filled with electrifying performances from various celebrated African artists, creating an unforgettable experience for attendees and viewers alike.
Complete List of Winners by Category
Central Africa
- Best Male Artiste: Singuila (The Congo)
- Best Female Artiste: Cindy Le Coeur (DRC)
Eastern Africa
- Best Male Artiste: Jux (Tanzania)
- Best Female Artiste: Denise (Madagascar)
Northern Africa
- Best Male Artiste: Amr Diab (Egypt)
- Best Female Artiste: Sherine (Egypt)
Southern Africa
- Best Male Artiste: Yo Maps (Zambia)
- Best Female Artiste: Nontokozo Mkhize (South Africa)
Western Africa
- Best Male Artiste: Rema (Nigeria)
- Best Female Artiste: Wendy Shay (Ghana)
Continental Categories and Winners
- Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music: Milo (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Best Female Artiste in African Inspirational Music: Morijah (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Jazz: Haddinqo (Ethiopia)
- Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary: Axel Merryl (Benin)
- Best Soundtrack in Movie, Series, or Documentary: You Are by Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
- Songwriter of the Year: Bakhaw Dioum for Choix (Senegal)
- African Fans’ Favourite: Chella (Nigeria)
- Best African DJ: DJ Moh Green (Algeria)
- Producer of the Year: Element Eleéh & Mugisha Fred Robinson (Rwanda)
- Album of the Year: No Sign of Weakness by Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Best African Video of the Year: Ova by Mbosso (Tanzania)
- Song of the Year: Laho by Shallipopi (Nigeria)
- Best African Dance/Choreography: Weeha for Dimama (Ethiopia)
- Best African Act Reggae, Ragga & Dancehall: Takana Zion for On My Eyes (Guinea)
- Best African Collaboration: Laho by Shallipopi featuring Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Most Promising Artiste of the Year: Qing Madi (Nigeria)
- Artiste of the Year: Rema (Nigeria)
- Breakout Artiste of the Year: Ciza (South Africa)
- Best African Lyricist Rapper: Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hip-Hop: Phyno (Nigeria)
- Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African RnB & Soul: Rema (Nigeria)
- Best African Duo, Group or Band: Team Paiya (Côte d’Ivoire)
This year’s AFRIMA ceremony not only celebrated Nigeria’s dominance in African music but also provided a platform for recognizing artists from every corner of the continent. For instance, the Best Male Artiste in Central Africa award went to Singuila from The Congo, while the Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa was awarded to Denise from Madagascar, signaling a broad spectrum of musical styles and cultural influences.
Egypt’s Amr Diab took the Best Male Artiste award in Northern Africa, and Sherine from the same country won the Best Female Artiste category. Meanwhile, Southern Africa saw Yo Maps from Zambia and Nontokozo Mkhize from South Africa secure the top honors in their respective male and female categories.
Western Africa’s competition was fierce, but it was Rema who claimed the Best Male Artiste title, while Wendy Shay from Ghana was named Best Female Artiste, reflecting the strong musical output from this region.
In the inspirational music category, Milo from Côte d’Ivoire and Morijah, also from Côte d’Ivoire, were recognized for their contributions, showcasing the spiritual and uplifting side of African music.
Jazz lovers celebrated Haddinqo from Ethiopia as the best in African Jazz, while Axel Merryl from Benin earned recognition in the contemporary music category, underlining the continent’s evolving soundscape.
Collaborative works continue to shape the African music scene, as evidenced by the award for Best African Collaboration, which went to Shallipopi and Burna Boy for their song Laho. Such partnerships bridge styles and regions, amplifying the reach of African music globally.
Rising stars also received their deserved attention. Qing Madi was named Most Promising Artiste of the Year, signaling a bright future for Nigeria’s music industry. Similarly, South Africa’s Ciza was recognized as Breakout Artiste of the Year, highlighting new talents making waves.
The 9th AFRIMA ceremony not only provided a night of entertainment but also underscored the growing influence and dynamism of African music on the global stage. Nigerian artists shone brightly, with Rema’s triple win serving as a testament to his burgeoning impact. Meanwhile, the broad representation from other countries and genres underscored the rich tapestry of sounds and cultures that define Africa’s music scene today.
Lagos, hosting AFRIMA for the third time, once again positioned itself as a central hub for the continent’s entertainment industry, bringing together fans, artists, and stakeholders to celebrate African musical excellence.
