The atmosphere at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos was electric this week as the 9th All Africa Music Awards, popularly known as AFRIMA, reached its grand finale. The venue was packed to the rafters with music lovers and industry giants who gathered to witness the culmination of a five-day festival celebrating the sounds of the continent. From the opening events on January 7 to the final bows on January 11, 2026, the awards demonstrated exactly why they are considered the gold standard for African music recognition.
The President and Executive Producer of AFRIMA, Mike Dada, expressed his pride in the event’s success, noting that the sheer scale of the gathering proves the platform belongs to the entire continent. Dada emphasized that the mission goes far beyond simply handing out trophies. He described the awards as a unifying force, bringing together diverse stories and cultures under one roof to map out the future of African music. The numbers certainly back up his claim, with delegates from at least 48 countries and over 1,200 artists and production experts participating in the festivities.
A look at the winners’ list reveals a truly pan-African victory lap, with no single region dominating the stage. Côte d’Ivoire emerged as a major force this year, securing multiple wins. Milo and Morijah took home the titles for African Inspirational male and female artists, while Didi B was crowned the best lyricist on the continent. The high-energy Team Paiya also secured the award for the best duo or group, further cementing the Ivorian influence on the current music scene.
The diversity of talent continued across all borders. Ethiopia’s Haddinqo walked away with the prize for Best African Jazz, while Axel Merryl represented Benin by winning in the contemporary category. Senegal’s Bakhaw Dioum was honored as the Songwriter of the Year, proving that the art of the pen is still very much alive and respected. North Africa also made its mark, with Algeria producing the continent’s top DJ in Moh Green and the best rock act in Izlan.
The regional categories highlighted just how competitive the industry has become. In East Africa, Tanzania’s Jux and Madagascar’s Denise were named the best male and female artists respectively, while Rwanda’s production duo, Element Eleéh and Mugisha Fred Robinson, were recognized as the best in the business. Southern Africa celebrated wins for Zambia’s Yo Maps and South Africa’s Nontokozo Mkhize, while Central Africa saw honors go to veterans like Singuila and Cindy Le Cœur. By the time the curtains fell, it was clear that AFRIMA had successfully captured the heartbeat of a continent that is currently leading the global musical conversation.
