After the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) announced a record-breaking 10,717 entries for its 2025 edition, this year’s submission window opened on May 27 and closed on August 8. It covered songs, albums, music videos, works by songwriters, producers, DJs, video directors, dancers, choreographers, record labels and emerging talents without formal recordings.
Afrobeat stars Burna Boy, Davido and Rema have been named among the nominees for the 2025 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).
The organisers announced the full list on Wednesday after a 10-day screening process. A total of 10,717 entries were received, the highest in the award’s 12-year history.
From this, 343 nominees were selected in 40 categories covering Africa and the diaspora.
Burna Boy and Davido secured five nominations each. Their albums No Sign of Weakness and 5ive were shortlisted for Album of the Year. Both singers also earned nods in Song of the Year and Best Collaboration.
South Africa’s DJ Maphorisa and Morocco’s El Grande Toto also led the race with five nominations. Senegal’s Mia Guissé and Ghana’s Moliy joined the list of top contenders.
Street-pop act Shallipopi got four nominations including Artiste of the Year. Other multiple nominees include Egypt’s Amr Diab, Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz, South Africa’s Tyla, and Eswatini’s Uncle Waffles.
Rema earned three nominations, while Ayra Starr received two, including Artiste of the Year where she will face Burna Boy, Davido and El Grande Toto.
Also on the nominees’ list are Fally Ipupa, Ferre Gola, Himra, Didi B, Eboloko, Emma’a, Jaylann and Juma Jux. The diaspora categories feature DJ Snake, Aya Nakamura, Darkoo, Deborah Lukalu and Faouzia.
AFRIMA 2025 is themed “Unstoppable Africa” and will be hosted in Lagos from November 25 to 30. Events for the week include the AFRIMA Music Village, Africa Music Business Summit, Nominees Party and the main awards night on November 30.
Public voting opens September 5 and will close November 28.
AFRIMA jury member Delani Makhalima described the growth of African music as remarkable. “In just 12 years, we’ve gone from being marginalised to becoming a global force,” he said.
The ceremony is organised in partnership with the African Union Commission, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Lagos State Government. It will be broadcast live to audiences across Africa, Europe and the Americas.