The 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) was nothing short of a celebration of African excellence, creativity, and cultural pride as the continent’s biggest music stars gathered in Lagos for a night that will be remembered for years. From emotional acceptance speeches to historic wins and emerging talents stepping into the global spotlight, the event once again proved why AFRIMA remains one of the most respected music awards platforms in Africa. Nigerian Artistes were mostly recognised at the ceremony, reaffirming the country’s powerful influence on African music, while stars from other regions also made strong statements with memorable victories.
At the center of the night’s biggest moments was Nigerian global superstar Rema, who emerged as one of the most celebrated artists of the ceremony. The Afrobeats sensation clinched three major awards, including the highly coveted Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, and Best African Artiste in R&B and Soul. These wins further cement Rema’s place as one of Africa’s most influential young artists, whose sound has crossed borders and connected millions of fans worldwide. According to DDM NEWS, Rema’s triumph reflects the continued global rise of Afrobeats and the power of Nigerian youth-led music movements.
Another major highlight of the night was Burna Boy’s strong showing. The Grammy-winning singer took home Album of the Year for his project No Sign of Weakness, a body of work praised for its depth, sound quality, and cultural message. Burna Boy also won Best African Collaboration alongside fast-rising Nigerian star Shallipopi for their hit track “Laho.” The song itself was one of the biggest winners of the night, as it was crowned Song of the Year, marking a defining moment in Shallipopi’s career. DDM NEWS notes that Shallipopi’s success shows how quickly street-inspired sounds are finding acceptance on major continental stages.
The awards night also celebrated artists who continue to push African music into film and television. Yemi Alade earned the Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary award for her song “You Are,” featured in the animated series Iyanu. This win highlights the growing connection between African music and visual storytelling, as more African productions gain international attention. Hip-hop fans were not left out, as Nigerian rap icon Phyno was named Best African Artiste in African Hip-Hop, further strengthening his legacy as one of the genre’s most consistent voices.
From East Africa, Tanzania’s Juma Jux stood tall as he won Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa, a category filled with strong competition from across the region. His win added regional balance to the night and showed the depth of talent coming out of East Africa. It was observed that Juma Jux’s recognition reflects the steady rise of Tanzanian music on the continental stage, especially through collaborations and international exposure.
The next generation of African stars also had their moment to shine. Qing Madi was named Most Promising Artiste of the Year, a recognition of her rapid rise, unique sound, and growing fanbase across Africa and beyond. Chella, on the other hand, won African Fans’ Favourite, proving that strong grassroots support and digital engagement remain powerful forces in today’s music industry. DDM NEWS reports that these awards signal AFRIMA’s commitment to not only celebrating established stars but also nurturing future icons.
Beyond Nigeria, artists from Central, Eastern, Northern, and Southern Africa were also recognized across various categories, reflecting AFRIMA’s continental reach. Singuila emerged as Best Male Artiste in Central Africa, while Cindy Le Coeur took home Best Female Artiste in the same region. In Eastern Africa, Denise won Best Female Artiste, while Northern Africa saw Sherine crowned Best Female Artiste, highlighting the diversity of sounds and styles across the continent. Southern Africa also had strong representation, with Yo Maps winning Best Male Artiste and Nontokozo Mkhize taking Best Female Artiste in the region.
In the continental categories, inspirational music was celebrated as Milo won Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music, while Morijah claimed the female category. Jazz lovers were rewarded with Haddinqo’s win in the African Jazz category, while Axel Merryl took Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary. The night also honored behind-the-scenes talents, with Element Eleéh and Mugisha Fred Robinson winning Producer of the Year, reminding audiences that great music is a result of teamwork.
Fans were also treated to awards recognizing technical excellence and creativity. Best African Video of the Year went to Mbosso for “Ova,” while Weeha won Best African Dance/Choreography. In reggae, ragga, and dancehall, Takana Zion emerged victorious, proving that African music continues to thrive across diverse genres.
As the night drew to a close, the Artiste of the Year category once again brought the spotlight back to Rema, whose name was announced as the winner among a powerful list of nominees that included Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, Tyla, and others. According to DDM NEWS, this final win sealed Rema’s dominance at the 9th AFRIMA and symbolized a generational shift in African music leadership.
Overall, the 9th AFRIMA was more than an awards ceremony; it was a strong statement about Africa’s creative power, unity, and global relevance. With Lagos as the host city and artists from every region celebrated, the event reinforced AFRIMA’s role as a platform that tells Africa’s music story to the world. As DDM NEWS concludes, the wins by Rema, Juma Jux, and many others show that African music is not just growing, it is leading, evolving, and shaping global culture in real time.