AFRIMA 2025 Nominees: Davido, Burna Boy, Rema, Ayra Starr, Others Shine as African Music Dominates Globally
The Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) on Wednesday officially announced its 2025 nominees, a star-studded list featuring Davido, Burna Boy, El Grande Toto, Rema, Fally Ipupa, Shallipopi, Himra, Moliy, Ayra Starr, Jux, and Senegalese singer Mia Guissé.
Michael Osunnuyi, AFRIMA’s head of PR and media relations, disclosed this development in Lagos. PulseNets learnt that this year’s edition drew a record-breaking 10,717 entries, the highest number since the awards debuted 12 years ago.
According to Mr Osunnuyi, “Following a rigorous 10-day adjudication, our 13-member international jury narrowed the submissions to 343 nominees across 40 categories, covering all five African regions and the diaspora.”
Burna Boy and Davido Lead the Race
Burna Boy and Davido obtained five nominations each, including the prestigious Album of the Year and Song of the Year categories. South Africa’s DJ Maphorisa and Morocco’s El Grande Toto equally secured five nominations apiece, matching their dominance.
Significantly, female voices continue to rise. PulseNets reported that Senegal’s Mia Guissé and Ghana’s Moliy also clinched five nominations each, underscoring the surging influence of women in Africa’s global music takeover.
Rising Stars and Continental Heavyweights
Shallipopi learnt four nominations, one of which includes the coveted Artiste of the Year slot. Egypt’s Amr Diab, Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz, South Africa’s Tyla, and Eswatini’s Uncle Waffles also earned four nominations each, showing the diversity of Africa’s music powerhouse.
Meanwhile, Côte d’Ivoire’s Himra, Gabon’s Eboloko, DR Congo’s Fally Ipupa, and Nigeria’s Rema each walked away with three nominations.
The diaspora category, PulseNets gathered, boasts international heavyweights such as DJ Snake, Aya Nakamura, Darkoo, and gospel powerhouse Deborah Lukalu, making the race even more competitive.
Public Voting Timeline
AFRIMA management told PulseNets that global voting will commence on September 10 through its official website and will end on November 30, just a day before the awards night.
Jury Reacts to Africa’s Global Dominance
Delani Makhalima, a member of the AFRIMA jury, described the 2025 nominees list as evidence of Africa’s unstoppable rise. “In just 12 years, we have grown from being overlooked to becoming a global force. This is AFRIMA, the heartbeat of African music,” he told PulseNets.
AFRIMA Week-long Festival of African Music
Organised in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and Lagos State as host city, AFRIMA 2025 will run from November 25 to November 30.
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PulseNets obtained details showing that the six-day celebration will feature a glamorous Welcome Soiree, the vibrant AFRIMA Music Village, the Africa Music Business Summit, the Nominees Party, and climax with the grand awards ceremony on November 30, broadcast live across 84 countries.
AFRIMA 2025 is already shaping up as not just another awards show but a global showcase of Africa’s creativity, diversity, and dominance on the world music stage.
