The African Music Awards (AFRIMA) has officially unveiled the nominees list for its 2025 edition, with Nigerian superstars Burna Boy and Davido leading the pack alongside Morocco's El Grande Toto and South Africa's DJ Maphorisa.
Each artist received five nominations, setting the stage for a fierce competition.
The announcement, made by the International Committee of AFRIMA in partnership with the African Union Commission, follows a record-breaking 10,717 submissions, the highest in the awards' 12-year history.
A 13-member jury spent 10 days shortlisting 343 nominees across 40 categories, representing all five African regions and the diaspora.
Top Contenders and Rising Stars
The nominations highlight a blend of established heavyweights and emerging talents. Shallipopi, a Nigerian street-pop sensation, secured four nominations, including "Artiste of the Year" and "Song of the Year" for his collaboration "Laho." Other notable contenders with multiple nominations include:
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DJ Maphorisa (South Africa): Five nominations, including "Best African DJ" and "Album of the Year."
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Mia Guissé (Senegal): Five nominations, marking a strong presence for female artists.
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Moliy (Ghana): Five nominations, also solidifying the influence of female acts.
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Amr Diab (Egypt): Four nominations.
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Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania): Four nominations.
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Tyla (South Africa) and Uncle Waffles (Eswatini): Four nominations each, showcasing the global rise of Amapiano and Afro-house sounds.
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Himra (Côte d'Ivoire): Three nominations, with his album Big Aka 4 Aka Kai earning a spot in the "Album of the Year" category.
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Fally Ipupa (DR Congo) and Rema (Nigeria): Three nominations each, including "Artiste of the Year.
You can see a list of all the nominees here.
Voting and Awards Ceremony
Public voting for all categories will begin globally on September 10, on the official AFRIMA website (www.afrima.org), and will close on November 30.
The week-long AFRIMA 2025 celebration, organized in partnership with the Nigerian government and Lagos State, will run from November 25 to 30.
The events will include the "Welcome Soiree," the "AFRIMA Music Village," the "Africa Music Business Summit," a city tour, and the main awards ceremony on November 30. The finale will be broadcast live to over 84 countries worldwide.
"Twelve years in, we’re now here. This is global. This is AFRIMA, the biggest music entity on the face of the continent," said jury member Delani Makhalima, reflecting on the growth of African music.
