The International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), on Wednesday, August 28, unveiled the Official Nominees List for the 2025 edition, with Nigerian music stars Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Rema, Ayra Starr, Asake, Shallipopi, Gaise Baba, and Ada Ehi flying the country’s flag in the various categories.
A 13-member International Jury, after 10 days of adjudication, shortlisted 343 nominees across 40 categories, representing Africa’s five regions and the diaspora. This year’s nominations followed a record-breaking 10,717 entries, the highest since the inception of AFRIMA 12 years ago.
Burna Boy and Davido lead the forefront with an impressive five nominations each, including highly sought-after categories: ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Song of the Year’. Burna Boy’s No Sign of Weakness and Davido’s 5ive earned them the nods, while their hit singles also earned them spots in Best Collaboration.
South Africa’s DJ Maphorisa matches them with five nods, also, with standout nominations for ‘Best African DJ’ and ‘Album of the Year’. Waves-making Morocco’s rap sensation El Grande Toto, with his album Salgoat and hit Diplomatico, which is catching global attention, also scored five nominations.
Nigeria’s fast-rising street-pop sensation Shallipopi also stood tall with four nods, including ‘Artiste of the Year’ and ‘Song of the Year’ for his hit Laho. Also in the four-nods list is Egypt’s Amr Diab. Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz grabbed four nominations, continuing his dominance in East Africa.
In the triple nomination pack is Nigeria’s global sensation Rema, who emerged with three nominations, including ‘Artiste of the Year’ and ‘Best Male in West Africa.’ South Africa’s rap star Nasty C got three nods for his track Soft.
Cote d’Ivoire’s Didi B got three nominations, including ‘Best Male Artiste in West Africa’ and ‘Album of the Year’. His fellow Ivoirien star Himra also picked up three nods, including ‘Album of the Year’.
His album Big Aka 4 Aka Kai and hip-hop collaborations have made him one of the strongest newcomers in this year’s race, while Gabon’s Eboloko, with three nods, was listed for ‘Breakout Artiste of the Year.’
DR Congo’s heavyweights are not left out as Fally Ipupa bagged three nominations, including ‘Artiste of the Year,’ while Ferre Gola earned three nods, among them ‘Songwriter of the Year.’ Morocco’s Jaylann received three nominations, just like his Tanzanian counterpart Juma Jux, who also got three nods, including ‘Song of the Year’ for Ololufe mi.
This year’s competition seems fiercer than ever, as female artistes also made a powerful showing, with Senegal’s Mia Guissé and Ghana’s Moliy joining the top nods bracket, each racking up five nominations, proving that female acts are now commanding major influence on the continent’s music scene.
South Africa’s shining star Tyla received four nominations, just as Eswatini’s Uncle Waffles also earned four nominations, confirming the rising power of amapiano and Afro-house sounds. Emma’a is strongly behind with three nominations, including ‘Best Female Artiste in Central Africa,’ while Ayra Starr, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, and Ada Ehi trailed with two nods and one nod respectively.
The diaspora also shone brightly on the list, with male nominees such as DJ Snake, Gazo, Niska, Tayc, Tiakola, Tif, Werenoi, WizTheMC, L’Algérino, and Odeal making the cut. On the female side, the nominees include Aya Nakamura, Annatoria, Choisie Basolua, Darkoo, Deborah Lukalu, Faouzia, Ronisia, The Unveiled, Theodora, and Zaho.
AFRIMA jury member Delani Makhalima, who represents the Southern African region on the panel, described the 2025 nominees’ list as proof of how far African music has come. “It’s been a dream of ours for a long time to work this hard to get to a place where African music can be heard by everyone.
“We were marginalised for so many years; our voices were not heard as artists, as creators, as songwriters, as producers, as engineers, as video makers, as filmmakers. Twelve years in, we’re now here. This is global. This is AFRIMA, the biggest music entity on the face of the continent,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Committee has confirmed that public voting will open globally on Wednesday, September 10, via the official AFRIMA website (www.afrima.org). The Committee encouraged music lovers across the continent and the diaspora to participate in determining the winners in the various categories, stressing that voting will close on the eve of the main awards on November 30.
AFRIMA 2025 is being organised by the International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards in collaboration with the African Union Commission, alongside the federal government, with Lagos as the official host city.
The 2025 celebration will run from November 25 to 30, 2025, featuring the Welcome Soiree, the AFRIMA Music Village, the Africa Music Business Summit, a Host City Tour, the Nominees Party, and the Main Awards Ceremony. The grand finale on November 30 will be broadcast live to over 84 countries worldwide.
