AFRIMA 2025 Sets Record with 10,000+ Entries
The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) is making history ahead of its 2025 edition. According to AFRIMA organizers, the 2025 awards have already received a staggering over 10,000 entries. This is a new record in the event’s history. This unprecedented level of participation reflects the growing enthusiasm and creativity of African artists. Alongside, it reflects the growing relevance of AFRIMA as a premier platform for musical recognition across the continent.
West Africa Leads with Over 5,000 Entries
For context, the previous record was set in 2022, and it has 9,067 entries, marking the highest submission tally until now. Therefore, the jump to over 10,000 this year is record breaking.
West Africa led with 5,215 entries, almost half of the total submissions, followed by Southern Africa with 2,080 entries. Then, Eastern Africa also contributed 804 entries, Central Africa had 291, Northern Africa sent 267, and Africa’s diaspora accounted for 75 entries.
Lagos Confirmed as Host City for 2025 AFRIMA
In addition to the record submissions, the 2025 AFRIMA also came with another major announcement earlier in the year. This was when Lagos was officially confirmed as the host city for AFRIMA’s 2025 edition. The decision was made public on May 13 at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This isn’t the first of its kind in Lagos. It only marks AFRIMA’s return to Lagos after the city had previously hosted multiple editions of the awards. These include 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2021. The 2025 ceremony is scheduled to take place from November 25-30, under the compelling theme, Unstoppable Africa.
The Adjudication Process
AFRIMA’s international jury, comprising 13 seasoned professionals from across Africa and the diaspora, began evaluating entries in Lagos on August 8. The adjudication process, lasting until August 17, is focused on assessing submissions based on quality, originality, cultural impact, and creative excellence.
What to Expect in November
With promises of over 1,600 nominees, more than 60,000 visiting delegates, and an expected global broadcast audience of 400 million, AFRIMA 2025 is set to be one of the most impactful events in African entertainment this year. The week-long celebration will feature a packed agenda, including the Africa Music Business Summit, Music Village Festival, Nominees & Industry Night, and culminate in the grand Awards ceremony on November 30.
State and federal authorities have rallied around the event. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu welcomed the AFRIMA delegation and emphasized that hosting the awards aligns with the state’s creative and tourism development agenda. The Federal Government has also inaugurated a Local Organizing Committee to coordinate plans and festivities leading up to the event.
The exceptional turnout has been described by jury members as a reflection of African music’s confidence and energy on the global stage. Delani Makhalima from Zimbabwe noted that the surge in entries “signals how alive, creative, and unstoppable African music is right now,” adding that AFRIMA offers artists greater exposure and respect beyond mere awards.
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