AFRIMA and Nigeria’s steady rise on Africa’s music stage

For five days in January 2026, Lagos became a gathering point for African music, culture and industry conversations as the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) unfolded.

From January 7 to 11, artistes, producers, policymakers and creative industry stakeholders across the continent converged on the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island. While the event featured performances and award presentations, much of the attention during the week was placed on discussions around ownership, growth and the long-term value of Africa’s creative economy.

The awards ceremony, held on Sunday night, brought the week’s activities to a close. It marked the climax of a programme that combined music showcases with policy discussions and industry engagements aimed at placing African creativity within a wider economic and development framework.

On the awards stage, Nigerian Afrobeats star, Rema, emerged as the biggest winner of the night. The 24-year-old singer won three major awards, including Artiste of the Year and Best Male Artiste in Western Africa. His wins came after a competitive year that featured some of Africa’s biggest names and reflected his growing influence across the continent and beyond.

Another Nigerian, Shallipopi, also recorded a strong showing. His song, Laho won Best Song of the Year and Best Collaboration, further highlighting the increasing visibility of newer voices within African music. Burna Boy won the Album of the Year award, while Yemi Alade’s You Are from Iyanu: The Animated Series was named Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary. Rising singer Qing Madi was crowned Most Promising Artiste of the Year, placing her among the continent’s closely watched emerging talents.

Artistes from other parts of Africa were also recognised during the ceremony. Tanzanian singer, Jux won Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa, while Congo DR’s Cindy Le Coeur was among the winners, reinforcing AFRIMA’s pan-African outlook and reach.

While individual achievements were celebrated, much of the conversation during AFRIMA 2026 centred on the future of African music as a business. In his keynote address, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the creative and cultural sector as a key part of the state’s economic agenda. He said Lagos had deliberately positioned the creative economy as a driver of job creation, tourism and global competitiveness.

According to him, African music has evolved beyond cultural expression into a global economic force. However, he noted that creators often remain at the lower end of the value chain despite the continent’s growing presence on global charts. Sanwo-Olu said platforms such as AFRIMA and the Africa Music Business Summit were important for addressing issues around ownership, rights, revenue and fair digital distribution. He stressed that Lagos views music not just as entertainment, but as economic infrastructure that supports livelihoods across a wide value chain.

Speaking on behalf of the federal government, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, described AFRIMA as more than an awards ceremony. She said it had grown into a platform for affirming Africa’s voice and strengthening cultural diplomacy.

According to her, the federal government recognises culture and creativity as drivers of jobs, innovation and youth empowerment. She added that Nigeria is investing in the creative value chain through policy reforms, capacity development programmes and partnerships aimed at building a globally competitive creative economy that protects intellectual property and attracts investment.

From the continental level, the African Union Commission also reinforced the importance of culture to Africa’s development agenda. Addressing guests, the AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Amma Twum-Amoah, said music had always played a central role in Africa’s identity, carrying memory, tradition and shared experiences.

She noted that the African Union views culture and the creative industries as important drivers of social cohesion, youth empowerment and inclusive growth, as reflected in Agenda 2063. According to her, AFRIMA has grown into a continental institution that promotes unity, celebrates diversity and creates economic opportunities across borders. She also highlighted the role of music in mental well-being, peace building and humanitarian response, calling for increased investment in Africa’s creative industries.

AFRIMA president, Mike Dada said the 9th edition of the awards reaffirmed the organisation’s founding vision of celebrating African music by African standards and presenting it to the world with credibility. He described African music as a serious business and a growing economic force, noting that visibility alone was no longer enough.

According to him, AFRIMA deliberately brings together, artistes, policymakers, investors and industry experts to help build systems that protect creativity, encourage ownership and support long-term growth. He added that the theme of the 2026 edition, Unstoppable Africa, reflected the resilience of African creatives who continue to innovate and make global impact despite economic pressures.

The awards night also featured performances from several African artistes, including Yemi Alade, Mr P, Seyi Vibez, Juma Jux, Qing Madi and others, adding colour and energy to an event that blended entertainment with policy and industry dialogue. For Lagos, hosting AFRIMA again reinforced its growing reputation as a major hub for Africa’s creative and cultural industries.

Beyond the 2026 edition, Nigeria’s relationship with AFRIMA reflects a longer pattern of strong participation and success. Between 2021 and 2023, Nigerian artistes maintained a visible presence at the awards, winning major categories and remaining among the most recognised acts on the continent.

At the 2021 AFRIMA, Wizkid emerged as Nigeria’s most notable winner after clinching the Artiste of the Year award. His victory reflected the growing acceptance of Afrobeats across Africa. In the 2022 award cycle, held in January 2023, Burna Boy dominated the ceremony, winning both Artiste of the Year and Album of the Year.

Other Nigerian artistes also featured prominently during the period. Wizkid won Best Male Artiste in West Africa, while Davido picked up awards in collaboration and pop music categories. The same edition also highlighted the rise of new talents, with Asake named Breakout Artiste of the Year.

Speaking on the significance of such recognition, a music enthusiast, Chuka Nwankwo, said continental awards helped strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leading exporter of African music. He noted that beyond individual success, the awards draw attention to the depth of Nigerian music and encourage younger artistes to see African platforms as viable spaces for growth.

As AFRIMA 2026 came to an end, attention shifted from individual winners to the wider future of African music. With African sounds continuing to gain global attention, the conversations held during the week highlighted the need for structures that ensure creators benefit fully from their work. For many participants, AFRIMA remains not just a celebration of music but a platform for shaping the future of Africa’s creative economy.

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