Rema swoops 9th AFRIMA with three wins

Nigerian artist Divine Okubo, popularly known as Rema, won three awards at the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) on January 11, 2026, at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, Nigeria. Rema took home the Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, Artiste of the Year, and Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in RnB & Soul.

The event recognised artists from across Africa in regional and continental categories. Below is the list of winners:

Regional Categories

Best Male Artiste in Central Africa: Singuila (Congo)

Best Female Artiste in Central Africa: Cindy Le Coeur (DRC)

Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa: Jux (Tanzania)

Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa: Denise (Madagascar)

Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa: Yo Maps (Zambia)

Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa: Nontokozo Mkhize (South Africa)

Best Male Artiste in Western Africa: Rema (Nigeria)

Best Female Artiste in Western Africa: Wendy Shay (Ghana)

Best African DJ: Moh Green (Algeria)

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Continental Categories

Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music: Milo (Côte d’Ivoire)

Best Female Artiste in African Inspirational Music: Morijah (Côte d’Ivoire)

Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Jazz: Haddinqo (Ethiopia)

Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary: Axel Merryl (Benin)

Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series, or Documentary: Yemi Alade – “You Are” (“Iyanu: The Animated Series”) (Nigeria)

Songwriter of the Year: Bakhaw Dioum – “Choix” (Mia Guissé ft. Wally B. Seck) (Senegal)

African Fans’ Favourite: Chella (Nigeria)

Album of the Year: No Sign Of Weakness Burna Boy (Nigeria)

Best African Video of the Year: “Ova” – Mbosso (Tanzania)

Song of the Year: “Laho” – Shallipopi (Nigeria)

Best African Dance/Choreography: Weeha – “Dimama” (Ethiopia)

Best African Act in Reggae, Ragga & Dancehall: Takana Zion – “On My Eyes” (Guinea)

Best African Collaboration: Shallipopi ft. Burna Boy – “Laho” (Nigeria)

Most Promising Artiste of the Year: Qing Madi (Nigeria)

Artiste of the Year: Rema (Nigeria)

Best African Lyricist Rapper: Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire)

Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hip-Hop: Phyno (Nigeria)

Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African RnB & Soul: Rema (Nigeria)

Best African Duo, Group or Band: Team Paiya (Côte d’Ivoire)

Producer of the Year: Element Eleéh and Mugisha Fred Robinson (Rwanda)

The Special Award saw AFRIMA present the Lifetime Achievement Awards to music executive legends Kenny Keke Ogungbe and Dayo Dee1 Adeneye, who were pioneers of the legendary Kennis Music that discovered the likes of Plantation Boiz, 2face, Eedris Abdulkareem, Tony Tetuila, and many others.

The show was hosted by Falz and Liliane Maroun with live music performances from Wendy Shay, Phyno, Jazzman, Adewale Ayuba, Patoranking, Didi B, Shallipopi, among others.

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