Nigerian artistes dominated the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, held on Sunday night in Lagos, as top stars from the country emerged winners across major categories.
Fast-rising singer Shallipopi recorded a major career milestone after winning Song of the Year with his hit track, Laho, a song that also earned him a shared win with Burna Boy in the Best African Collaboration category.
Global Afrobeats star, Burna Boy, was named Album of the Year for his project, No Sign of Weakness, further strengthening his position as one of Africa’s most successful music exports.
Rema was the biggest winner of the night, picking up three awards. He was crowned Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, and Best African Artiste in RnB and Soul.
Qing Madi was named Most Promising Artiste of the Year, marking her rapid rise and growing influence across the continent’s music scene.
Yemi Alade also secured a major win, taking home Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary for her song, You Are, from the animated series Iyanu.
In the hip-hop category, Phyno emerged as Best African Artiste in African Hip-Hop, while Tanzania’s Juma Jux won Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa.
Other notable winners included Chella, who won African Fans’ Favourite, DJ Moh Green, who clinched Best African DJ, and Takana Zion, who won Best African Act Reggae, Ragga and Dancehall.
In the continental categories, Singuila won Best Male Artiste in Central Africa, Cindy Le Coeur emerged as Best Female Artiste in Central Africa, while Sherine was named Best Female Artiste in Northern Africa.
Yo Maps won Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa, with Nontokozo Mkhize taking Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa.
Weeha won Best African Dance and Choreography, while Mbosso’s Ova emerged as Best African Video of the Year.
Didi B was named Best African Lyricist Rapper, while Team Paiya won Best African Duo, Group or Band.
The 9th AFRIMA Awards brought together artistes from across Africa, celebrating both established stars and emerging talents, while once again highlighting Nigeria’s strong influence on the continent’s music industry.
Here’s the full list of winners:
Best Male Artist in Central Africa
• C4 Pedro (Angola)
• Eboloko (Gabon)
• Gims (DRC)
• Gerilson Insrael (Angola)
• Kocee (Cameroon)
• L’Oiseau Rare (Gabon)
• Fally Ipupa (DRC)
• Magasco (Cameroon)
• Singuila (The Congo) – Winner
• Werrason (DRC)
Best Female Artiste in Central Africa
• Anna Joyce (Angola)
• Blanche Bailly (Cameroon)
• Charlotte Dipanda (Cameroon)
• Cindy Le Coeur (DRC) – Winner
• Deborah Lukalu (DRC)
• Emma’a (Gabon)
• Jessy B (The Congo)
• Krys M (Cameroon)
• Liriany (Angola)
• Rebo (DRC)
Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa
• Bien (Kenya)
• Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
• Element Eleéh (Rwanda)
• Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
• Jux (Tanzania) – Winner
• Marioo (Tanzania)
• Mbosso (Tanzania)
• Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
• Sat-B (Burundi)
• Yared Negu (Ethiopia)
Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa
• Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
• Bridget Blue (Kenya)
• Denise (Madagascar) – Winner
• Haleluya Tekletsadik (Ethiopia)
• Lady Jaydee (Tanzania)
• Mahlet Wendimu (Ethiopia)
• Salemia (Ethiopia)
• Weeha (Ethiopia)
• Winnie Nwagi (Uganda)
• Zuchu (Tanzania)
Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa
• A.L.A. (Tunisia)
• Adviser (Mauritania) — Winner
• Amr Diab (Egypt)
• Cheb Momo (Algeria)
• El Grande Toto (Morocco)
• Hamza Namira (Egypt)
• Lbenj (Morocco)
• Mohamed Ramadan (Egypt)
• Stormy (Morocco)
• Wegz (Egypt)
Best Female Artiste in Northern Africa
• Chirine Lajmi (Tunisia)
• Inez (Morocco)
• Jannat (Egypt)
• Jaylann (Morocco)
• Manal (Morocco)
• Meryem Aboulouafa (Morocco)
• Sherine (Egypt) – Winner
• Zina Daoudia (Morocco)
Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa
• Anderson Mário (Mozambique)
• Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe)
• Manana (Eswatini)
• Nasty C (South Africa)
• Teddy Makadi (Malawi)
• Tyler ICU (South Africa)
• Wanitwamos (South Africa)
• Yo Maps (Zambia) – Winner
• Zeze Kingston (Malawi)
• Kazba De Small (South Africa)
Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa
• Babalwa M (South Africa)
• Hanna (Zimbabwe)
• Makhadzi (South Africa)
• Nkosazana Daughter (South Africa)
• Nontokozo Mkhize (South Africa) – Winner
• Sha Sha (Zimbabwe)
• Temwah (Malawi)
• Tyla (South Africa)
• Uncle Waffles (Eswatini)
• Zee Nxumalo (South Africa)
Best Male Artiste in Western Africa
• Asake (Nigeria)
• Axel Merryl (Benin)
• Black Sherif (Ghana)
• Burna Boy (Nigeria)
• Davido (Nigeria)
• Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Djodje (Cape Verde)
• Rema (Nigeria) – Winner
• VJ (Senegal)
• Wizkid (Nigeria)
Best Female Artiste in Western Africa
• Amaarae (Ghana)
• Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
• Djelykaba Bintou (Guinea)
• Josey (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Mariam Ba Lagaré (Mali)
• Mia Guissé (Senegal)
• Moliy (Ghana)
• Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
• Viviane Chidid (Senegal)
• Wendy Shay (Ghana) – Winner
Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music
• Christian Mukuna (DRC)
• Djunny Beatz (Mozambique)
• Gaise Baba (Nigeria)
• Israel Mbonyi (Rwanda)
• Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe)
• Joel Lwaga (Tanzania)
• Kocee (Cameroon)
• Lawrence Oyor (Nigeria)
• Milo (Côte d’Ivoire) – Winner
• Sjava (South Africa)
Best Female Artiste in African Inspirational Music
• Ada Ehi (Nigeria)
• Choisie Basolua (DRC)
• Krys M (Cameroon)
• Martha Mwaipaja (Tanzania)
• Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
• Morijah (Côte d’Ivoire) – Winner
• Nontokozo Mkhize (South Africa)
• Roseline Layo (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Vestine & Dorcas (Rwanda)
Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Jazz
• Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad (Ghana)
• Haddinqo (Ethiopia) – Winner
• Mádé Kuti (Nigeria)
• Rorisang Sechele (South Africa)
• Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane (South Africa)
• The Cavemen (Nigeria)
• Alune Wade (Senegal)
• Nomfundo Xaluva (South Africa)
• Kyle Shepherd Trio (South Africa)
Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary
• Fireboy DML (Nigeria)
• Axel Merryl (Benin) – Winner
• Espe Bass (Congo B)
• Bien (Kenya)
• Jaylann (Morocco)
• Kizz Daniel, Angélique Kidjo & Johnny Drille (Nigeria)
• Mbosso (Tanzania)
• Ferre Gola & Rayvanny (DRC)
• Didine Canon 16 (Algeria)
• Wendy Shay (Ghana)
Best Soundtrack in Movie, Series, or Documentary
• Igho’le Trap Mix Version (“To Kill a Monkey”: Series) – Oscar Heman-Ackah (Ghana)
• El Ma2as (“The Start”: Film) – Tamer Hosny, Reda Elbahrawy (Egypt)
• You Are (“Iyanu”: The Animated Series) – Yemi Alade (Nigeria) – Winner
• Timpi Tampa (“Timpi Tampa”: The Film) – Ismaël Lo (Senegal)
• Tori Ife (“Seven Doors”: Series) – Tolu Obanro (Nigeria)
• Saatte Ragouj (“The Last of the Mohicans” Film) – Kafon (Tunisia)
Songwriter of the Year
• Bakhaw Dioum – “Choix” (Mia Guissé ft. Wally B. Seck) (Senegal) – Winner
• Emel, Jehanny Beth & Camille Berthomier – “Fall in the Light” (Tunisia)
• Emma’a – “Trop d’amour” (Gabon)
• Emmanuel Ayobami Alli-Hakeem – “Za” (Anendlessocean) (Nigeria)
• Ferre Gola – “Amour Illusoire” (DRC)
• Mohammed Ismail Sharrif – “Rebel Music” (Black Sherif) (Ghana)
• Mugisha Fred Robinson – “Tombé” (Element Eleéh) (Rwanda)
• Olamide Adedeji – “Hassibunallah” (Olamide) (Nigeria)
• Prince Omoferi & Nwamu Francis Chukwudubem – “It Hurts” (Johnny Drille & Don Jazzy) (Nigeria)
• Victor Ngatuvese Kaune – “Oputuri ‘Queens’” (One Blood Namibia) (Namibia)
African Fans’ Favourite
• Ali Jita (Nigeria)
• Barnaba (Tanzania)
• BNXN & Rema (Nigeria)
• Chella (Nigeria) – Winner
• Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
• Innoss’b (DRC)
• Kizz Daniel (Nigeria)
• Parazar (Algeria)
• Faceless (Nigeria)
• Tul8te (Egypt)
Best African DJ
• DJ Malvado (Angola)
• DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)
• DJ Moh Green (Algeria) – Winner
• DJ Mombochi (The Congo)
• DJ Tunez (Nigeria)
• DJ YK Mule (Nigeria)
• Kelvin Momo (South Africa)
• Oscar Mbo (South Africa)
• Uncle Waffles (Eswatini)
• Woodblock Djs (South Africa)
Producer of the Year
• Beneth Seraphin Akatché Koffi (Senegal)
• Butternut, Xolani Majoz (South Africa)
• Dina One (Mali)
• Element Eleéh & Mugisha Fred Robinson (Rwanda) – Winners
• Jazzworx (South Africa)
• Progrex (Nigeria)
• DaVinci (Angola)
• Tempoe (Nigeria)
• Themba Sekowe, Gomolemo Joy Gumede, Kabelo Motha (South Africa)
Album of the Year
• Ebtadena – Amr Diab (Egypt)
• No Sign of Weakness – Burna Boy (Nigeria) – Winner
• 5ive – Davido (Nigeria)
• Diyilem & Bazarhoff: Genius – Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Ngomoya – DJ Maphorisa & XDuppy (South Africa)
• Salgoat – El Grande Toto (Morocco)
• Big Aka 4 Aka Kai – Himra (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Thato Ya Modimo – Kelvin Momo (South Africa)
• Idrache (Traces of the Past) – Tinariwen (Mali)
Best African Video of the Year
• “Rebel” – Black Sherif (Ghana)
• “Meta” – Nomcebo Zikode & Sofiya Nzau (South Africa)
• “Ki Lo Wa Wa” – Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
• “Timpi Tampa” – Ismaël Lo (Senegal)
• “Tori Ife” – Tolu Obanro (Nigeria)
• “Ova” – Mbosso (Tanzania) – Winner
• “Ololufe” – Juma Jux & Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
• “Shaolin” – Seyi Vibez (Nigeria)
• “Stk Stk” – Dizzy Dros, Kekra & Norfafrica (Morocco)
Song of the Year
• “Isaka (6AM)” – Ciza, Jazzworx & Thukuthela (South Africa)
• “Bengicela” – Mawhoo Gl Ceejay & Thukuthela (South Africa)
• “Choix” – Mia Guissé (Senegal)
• “Diplomatico” – El Grande Toto (Morocco)
• “Kaay Waay” – VJ (Senegal)
• “Laho” – Shallipopi (Nigeria) – Winner
• “Ololufe Mi” – Jux & Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
• “Push 2 Start” – Tyla (South Africa)
• “Shake it to the Max” – Moliy, Shenseea, Skillibeng & Silent Addy (Ghana)
• “With You” – Davido (Nigeria)
Best African Dance/Choreography
• Jaylann – “Ha Wlidi” (Morocco)
• Lady Ponce – “Je veux danser” (Cameroon)
• Rebo – “Mobambo” (DRC)
• Serge Beynaud – “Taper Dedans” (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Toofan – “Deodorant” (Togo)
• Tyla – “Push 2 Start” (South Africa)
• Uncle Waffles & Royal Musiq – “Zenzele” (Eswatini)
• Weeha – “Dimama” (Ethiopia) – Winner
• Werrason – “Tout se paie ici bas” (DRC)
• Wizkid – “Kese” (Nigeria)
Best African Act Reggae, Ragga & Dancehall
• Magasco – “Dirty Whine” (Cameroon)
• Moliy, Shenseea, Skillibeng & Silent Addy – “Shake it to the Max” (Ghana)
• Ruger & Kranium – “Dudu” (Nigeria)
• Sean Morgan – “Vuu” (Malawi)
• Black Sherif – “Rebel Music” (Ghana)
• Takana Zion – “On My Eyes” (Guinea) – Winner
• Tiwa Savage – “Forgiveness” (Nigeria)
• Wakadinli – “Kum Baba” (Kenya)
• Yemi Alade – “Baddie” (Nigeria)
• Iyani, Mwanaa & Cedo – “Kifo cha Mende” (Kenya)
Best African Collaboration
• Blanche Bailly & Lady Ponce – “Lève toi” (Cameroon)
• Goon Flavour, Master Kg & Eemoh – “Ngishutheni” (South Africa)
• Mia Guissé ft. Wally Seck – “Choix” (Senegal)
• Moliy, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea – “Shake It to the Max” (Ghana)
• Paki Chenzu ft. Himra – “Assaut” (Togo/Côte d’Ivoire)
• Shallipopi ft. Burna Boy – “Laho” (Nigeria) – Winner
• Uncle Waffles ft. Cowboii, Royal Musiq, Uncool MC & Xduppy – “Zenzele” (Eswatini)
• Davido ft. Omah Lay – “With You” (Nigeria)
• Mawhoo, GL Ceejay & Thukuthela ft. Jazzworx – “Bengicela” (South Africa)
• Benny Adam & Khadija El Warzazia – “Mok Ya Mok” (Morocco)
Most Promising Artiste of the Year
• Cysoul (Cameroon)
• Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
• King Luca (Cameroon)
• L’Oiseau Rare (Gabon)
• Lwah Ndlunkulu (South Africa)
• Massamba Amadeus (Senegal)
• Qing Madi, Valorant (Nigeria) – Winner
• Rym (Morocco)
• Kunmie (Nigeria)
• Fola (Nigeria)
Artiste of the Year
• Amr Diab (Egypt)
• Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
• Burna Boy (Nigeria)
• Davido (Nigeria)
• DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)
• El Grande Toto (Morocco)
• Fally Ipupa (DRC)
• Jux (Tanzania)
• Rema (Nigeria) – Winner
• Shallipopi (Nigeria)
• Tyla (South Africa)
Breakout Artiste of the Year
• Blaq Major (South Africa)
• Ciza (South Africa) – Winner
• Eboloko (Gabon)
• Himra (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Marioo (Tanzania)
• Mawhoo (South Africa)
• Moliy (Ghana)
• Shallipopi (Nigeria)
• Trap King (Algeria)
• VJ (Senegal)
Best African Lyricist Rapper
• ALA (Tunisia)
• Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire) – Winner
• Jessy B (Congo B)
• Klassafan le Melangeur (Guinea)
• Nasty C & Usimamane (South Africa)
• Nyashinski (Kenya)
• Reminisce (Nigeria)
• Sarkodie (Ghana)
• Switch (Libya)
• Yacou B OG (Mali)
Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hiphop
• ALA ft. Mootjeyek (Tunisia)
• Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
• Eboloko (Gabon)
• El Grande Toto (Morocco)
• Himra (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Phyno (Nigeria) – Winner
• Nasty C & Usimamane (South Africa)
• Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
• Sarkodie (Ghana)
• Suspect 95 (Côte d’Ivoire)
Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African RnB & Soul
• Bensoul & V- Be (Kenya)
• Big Zulu ft. Malungelo (South Africa)
• Braye (Nigeria)
• Calema (Sao Tome)
• Emma’a (Gabon)
• Kunmie (Nigeria)
• Manal (Morocco)
• Naledi Aphiwe & Mawelele (South Africa)
• Rema (Nigeria) – Winner
• Wegz ft. Tayc (Egypt)
Best African Duo, Group or Band
• Babylone (Algeria)
• Blaq Diamond (South Africa)
• Celema (Sao Tome & Principe)
• Team Paiya (Côte d’Ivoire) – Winner
• The Cavemen (Nigeria)
• Tinariwen (Mali)
• Toofan (Togo)
• Vestine & Dorcas (Rwanda)
• Wapendwa Muziki (Kenya)
• We Are Nubia (Kenya)
