Nigerian music stars delivered an outstanding performance at the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), held on Sunday night in Lagos, as several artistes from the country emerged winners across headline categories.
The prestigious continental ceremony brought together musicians, producers, and industry stakeholders from across Africa to celebrate excellence, creativity, and cultural impact.
Nigeria’s presence was strongly felt throughout the night, with Burna Boy, Rema, Yemi Alade, Shallipopi, Phyno, Qing Madi, and Chella securing major honours.
Rema was one of the night’s most decorated artists, walking away with three awards. He was crowned Artiste of the Year, clinched Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, and also won Best African Artiste in R&B & Soul. The multiple wins underscored his growing influence and global reach within the African music space.
Burna Boy added to his long list of achievements by winning Album of the Year for No Sign of Weakness, a project that enjoyed widespread commercial success and critical acclaim. The award further reinforced his position as one of Africa’s most consistent and impactful musicians.
Yemi Alade was recognised for her work beyond mainstream music, winning Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series, or Documentary for You Are, a song featured in the animated series Iyanu. Her win highlighted the expanding role of African artistes in film and television soundtracks.
Shallipopi also recorded a memorable outing at the awards. His hit single Laho claimed Song of the Year, and the track also earned him the Best African Collaboration award alongside Burna Boy. The dual wins marked a major milestone in his career.
Indigenous rap icon Phyno emerged winner in the Best African Artist in African Hip-Hop category, while rising singer Chella was named African Fans’ Favourite. Qing Madi secured the Most Promising Artiste of the Year award, beating several emerging acts from across the continent.
Below is a detailed list of winners and nominees as announced at the 9th AFRIMA Awards:
Best Male Artiste 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)
• 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
Major Continental Awards
Album of the Year
• No Sign of Weakness – Burna Boy (Nigeria) – Winner
• 5ive – Davido (Nigeria)
• Ebtadena – Amr Diab (Egypt)
• Diyilem & Bazarhoff: Genius – Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Ngomoya – DJ Maphorisa & XDuppy (South Africa)
Song of the Year
• Laho – Shallipopi (Nigeria) – Winner
• Isaka (6AM) – Ciza, Jazzworx & Thukuthela
• Choix – Mia Guissé
• Diplomatico – El Grande Toto
• Push 2 Start – Tyla
Best African Collaboration
• Laho – Shallipopi ft Burna Boy (Nigeria) – Winner
• Shake It to the Max – Moliy ft Shenseea, Skillibeng & others
• With You – Davido ft Omah Lay
Most Promising Artiste of the Year
• Qing Madi (Nigeria) – Winner
• Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
• L’Oiseau Rare (Gabon)
• Kunmie (Nigeria)
African Fans’ Favourite
• Chella (Nigeria) – Winner
• BNXN & Rema (Nigeria)
• Kizz Daniel (Nigeria)
Artiste of the Year
• Rema (Nigeria) – Winner
• Burna Boy (Nigeria)
• Davido (Nigeria)
• Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
The 9th AFRIMA Awards once again showcased Africa’s rich musical diversity while highlighting Nigeria’s dominant role in shaping contemporary African sound, with its artistes continuing to set the pace across genres and regions.
