The 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2026 was nothing short of spectacular as Africa’s biggest music stars gathered in Lagos for a night of glamour, rhythm and continental pride.
Held at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, the ceremony celebrated the very best of African music — and Nigeria’s finest were front and centre.
The night firmly belonged to Rema, who delivered a historic outing by clinching three major awards.
The 24-year-old global sensation was crowned Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, Artiste of the Year, and Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African RnB/Soul for his smash hit “Calm Down”, reaffirming his status as one of Africa’s most influential pop exports.
Another big winner was Grammy-winning superstar Burna Boy, who walked away with the coveted Album of the Year award for “No Sign of Weakness”, a project widely praised for its sonic depth and global appeal.
Powerhouse vocalist Yemi Alade also had her moment, winning Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary for “You Are”, featured in “Iyanu: The Animated Series”, further showcasing her versatility beyond mainstream Afrobeats.
Fast-rising street-hop star Shallipopi proved his growing influence, scooping Song of the Year for “Laho” and also winning Best African Collaboration alongside Burna Boy for the same track — a major statement for the Edo-born artiste.
Veteran rapper Phyno kept the hip-hop flag flying high for Nigeria, emerging winner of Best African Artiste in African Hip-Hop, while Ghana, Tanzania, South Africa, Egypt and several other African nations also had strong representations on the winners’ list.
Beyond Nigeria, Tanzanian heartthrob Jux claimed Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa, while Cindy Le Coeur of the Democratic Republic of Congo won Best Female Artiste in Central Africa, underscoring AFRIMA’s truly pan-African reach.
AFRIMA 2026 once again highlighted Africa’s rich musical diversity, blending genres, cultures and languages into one unforgettable celebration.
With Lagos hosting the awards for the third time — after previous editions in Ghana and Senegal — the city reaffirmed its place as one of Africa’s undisputed entertainment capitals.
From Afrobeats to hip-hop, RnB, soul, reggae and inspirational music, AFRIMA 2026 was a powerful reminder that African music is not just thriving — it is leading the global soundscape.
