Nigerian artists swept major honours at the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), held in Lagos on Sunday night, reaffirming the country’s dominance on the continental music scene.
Leading the night was Rema, who emerged as one of the biggest winners, taking home three prestigious awards.’
The Afrobeats star clinched Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, and Best African Artiste in RnB and Soul, cementing his status as one of Africa’s most influential global music exports.
Read Also: Tyla wins second VMA Afrobeats award
Burna Boy also left a strong mark on the ceremony, winning Album of the Year for No Sign of Weakness. The Grammy-winning singer further secured the award for Best African Collaboration, which he shared with Shallipopi.
The collaboration success capped an impressive night for Shallipopi, who also won Song of the Year for his viral hit Laho.
In the film and television category, Yemi Alade was honoured with Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary for You Are, a song featured in the animated series Iyanu.
The award highlighted her versatility and growing influence beyond mainstream music.
Hip-hop heavyweight Phyno claimed Best African Artist in African Hip-Hop, reinforcing his long-standing impact on indigenous rap and African hip-hop culture.
Outside Nigeria, Tanzania’s Juma Jux was recognised as Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa, representing the region on a night largely dominated by Nigerian acts.
The awards also spotlighted rising talents. Qing Madi was named Most Promising Artist of the Year, while Chella won African Fans’ Favourite, reflecting strong grassroots support across the continent.
Overall, the 2025 AFRIMA ceremony underscored Nigeria’s continued influence in shaping Africa’s music landscape, with both established stars and emerging voices earning continental recognition.
Full-list below:
Best Male Artist – Central Africa
C4 Pedro (Angola)
Eboloko (Gabon)
Gims (DRC)
Gerilson Insrael (Angola)
Kocee (Cameroon)
L’Oiseau Rare (Gabon)
Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Magasco (Cameroon)
Singuila (The Congo) – Winner
Werrason (DRC)
Best Female Artist – Central Africa
Anna Joyce (Angola)
Blanche Bailly (Cameroon)
Charlotte Dipanda (Cameroon)
Cindy Le Coeur (DRC) – Winner
Deborah Lukalu (DRC)
Emma’a (Gabon)
Jessy B (The Congo)
Krys M (Cameroon)
Liriany (Angola)
Rebo (DRC)
Best Male Artist – Eastern Africa
Bien (Kenya)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Element Eleéh (Rwanda)
Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
Jux (Tanzania) – Winner
Marioo (Tanzania)
Mbosso (Tanzania)
Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
Sat-B (Burundi)
Yared Negu (Ethiopia)
Best Female Artist – Eastern Africa
Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
Bridget Blue (Kenya)
Denise (Madagascar) – Winner
Haleluya Tekletsadik (Ethiopia)
Lady Jaydee (Tanzania)
Mahlet Wendimu (Ethiopia)
Salemia (Ethiopia)
Weeha (Ethiopia)
Winnie Nwagi (Uganda)
Zuchu (Tanzania)
Best Male Artist – Northern Africa
A.L.A. (Tunisia)
Adviser (Mauritania) – Winner
Amr Diab (Egypt)
Cheb Momo (Algeria)
El Grande Toto (Morocco)
Hamza Namira (Egypt)
Lbenj (Morocco)
Mohamed Ramadan (Egypt)
Stormy (Morocco)
Wegz (Egypt)
Best Female Artist – Northern Africa
Chirine Lajmi (Tunisia)
Inez (Morocco)
Jannat (Egypt)
Jaylann (Morocco)
Manal (Morocco)
Meryem Aboulouafa (Morocco)
Sherine (Egypt) – Winner
Zina Daoudia (Morocco)
Best Male Artist – Southern Africa
Anderson Mário (Mozambique)
Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe)
Manana (Eswatini)
Nasty C (South Africa)
Teddy Makadi (Malawi)
Tyler ICU (South Africa)
Wanitwamos (South Africa)
Yo Maps (Zambia) – Winner
Zeze Kingston (Malawi)
Kazba De Small (South Africa)
Best Female Artist – Southern Africa
Babalwa M (South Africa)
Hanna (Zimbabwe)
Makhadzi (South Africa)
Nkosazana Daughter (South Africa)
Nontokozo Mkhize (South Africa) – Winner
Sha Sha (Zimbabwe)
Temwah (Malawi)
Tyla (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles (Eswatini)
Zee Nxumalo (South Africa)
Best Male Artist – Western Africa
Asake (Nigeria)
Axel Merryl (Benin)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Davido (Nigeria)
Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire)
Djodje (Cape Verde)
Rema (Nigeria) – Winner
VJ (Senegal)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Best Female Artist – Western Africa
Amaarae (Ghana)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Djelykaba Bintou (Guinea)
Josey (Côte d’Ivoire)
Mariam Ba Lagaré (Mali)
Mia Guissé (Senegal)
Moliy (Ghana)
Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
Viviane Chidid (Senegal)
Wendy Shay (Ghana) – Winner
Continental Categories
Best Male Artist – African Inspirational Music
Christian Mukuna (DRC)
Djunny Beatz (Mozambique)
Gaise Baba (Nigeria)
Israel Mbonyi (Rwanda)
Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe)
Joel Lwaga (Tanzania)
Kocee (Cameroon)
Lawrence Oyor (Nigeria)
Milo (Côte d’Ivoire) – Winner
Sjava (South Africa)
Best Female Artist – African Inspirational Music
Ada Ehi (Nigeria)
Choisie Basolua (DRC)
Krys M (Cameroon)
Martha Mwaipaja (Tanzania)
Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
Morijah (Côte d’Ivoire) – Winner
Nontokozo Mkhize (South Africa)
Roseline Layo (Côte d’Ivoire)
Vestine & Dorcas (Rwanda)
Best African Artist, Duo or Group – African Jazz
Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad (Ghana)
Haddinqo (Ethiopia) – Winner
Mádé Kuti (Nigeria)
Rorisang Sechele (South Africa)
Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane (South Africa)
The Cavemen (Nigeria)
Alune Wade (Senegal)
Nomfundo Xaluva (South Africa)
Kyle Shepherd Trio (South Africa)
Best Artist, Duo or Group – African Contemporary
Fireboy DML (Nigeria)
Axel Merryl (Benin) – Winner
Espe Bass (Congo B)
Bien (Kenya)
Jaylann (Morocco)
Kizz Daniel, Angélique Kidjo & Johnny Drille (Nigeria)
Mbosso (Tanzania)
Ferre Gola & Rayvanny (DRC)
Didine Canon 16 (Algeria)
Wendy Shay (Ghana)
Best Soundtrack – Movie, Series or Documentary
Igho’le Trap Mix Version (To Kill a Monkey: Series) – Oscar Heman-Ackah (Ghana)
El Ma2as (The Start: Film) – Tamer Hosny, Reda Elbahrawy (Egypt)
You Are (Iyanu: Animated Series) – Yemi Alade (Nigeria) – Winner
Timpi Tampa (Timpi Tampa: Film) – Ismaël Lo (Senegal)
Tori Ife (Seven Doors: Series) – Tolu Obanro (Nigeria)
Saatte Ragouj (The Last of the Mohicans: Film) – Kafon (Tunisia)
Songwriter of the Year
Bakhaw Dioum – Choix (Mia Guissé ft. Wally B. Seck) (Senegal) – Winner
Emel, Jehanny Beth & Camille Berthomier – Fall in the Light (Tunisia)
Emma’a – Trop d’amour (Gabon)
Emmanuel Ayobami Alli-Hakeem – Za (Anendlessocean) (Nigeria)
Ferre Gola – Amour Illusoire (DRC)
Mohammed Ismail Sharrif – Rebel Music (Black Sherif) (Ghana)
Mugisha Fred Robinson – Tombé (Element Eleéh) (Rwanda)
Olamide Adedeji – Hassibunallah (Olamide) (Nigeria)
Prince Omoferi & Nwamu Francis Chukwudubem – It Hurts (Johnny Drille & Don Jazzy) (Nigeria)
Victor Ngatuvese Kaune – Oputuri ‘Queens’ (One Blood Namibia) (Namibia)
African Fans’ Favourite
Ali Jita (Nigeria)
Barnaba (Tanzania)
BNXN & Rema (Nigeria)
Chella (Nigeria) – Winner
Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
Innoss’b (DRC)
Kizz Daniel (Nigeria)
Parazar (Algeria)
Faceless (Nigeria)
Tul8te (Egypt)
Best African DJ
DJ Malvado (Angola)
DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)
DJ Moh Green (Algeria) – Winner
DJ Mombochi (The Congo)
DJ Tunez (Nigeria)
DJ YK Mule (Nigeria)
Kelvin Momo (South Africa)
Oscar Mbo (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles (Eswatini)
Woodblock Djs (South Africa)
Producer of the Year
Beneth Seraphin Akatché Koffi (Senegal)
Butternut, Xolani Majoz (South Africa)
Dina One (Mali)
Element Eleéh & Mugisha Fred Robinson (Rwanda) – Winners
Jazzworx (South Africa)
Progrex (Nigeria)
DaVinci (Angola)
Tempoe (Nigeria)
Themba Sekowe, Gomolemo Joy Gumede, Kabelo Motha (South Africa)
Album of the Year
Ebtadena – Amr Diab (Egypt)
No Sign of Weakness – Burna Boy (Nigeria) – Winner
5ive – Davido (Nigeria)
Diyilem & Bazarhoff: Genius – Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire)
Ngomoya – DJ Maphorisa & XDuppy (South Africa)
Salgoat – El Grande Toto (Morocco)
Big Aka 4 Aka Kai – Himra (Côte d’Ivoire)
Thato Ya Modimo – Kelvin Momo (South Africa)
Idrache (Traces of the Past) – Tinariwen (Mali)
Best African Video of the Year
“Rebel” – Black Sherif (Ghana)
“Meta” – Nomcebo Zikode & Sofiya Nzau (South Africa)
“Ki Lo Wa Wa” – Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
“Timpi Tampa” – Ismaël Lo (Senegal)
“Tori Ife” – Tolu Obanro (Nigeria)
“Ova” – Mbosso (Tanzania) – Winner
“Ololufe” – Juma Jux & Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
“Shaolin” – Seyi Vibez (Nigeria)
“Stk Stk” – Dizzy Dros, Kekra & Norfafrica (Morocco)
Song of the Year
“Isaka (6AM)” – Ciza, Jazzworx & Thukuthela (South Africa)
“Bengicela” – Mawhoo Gl Ceejay & Thukuthela (South Africa)
“Choix” – Mia Guissé (Senegal)
“Diplomatico” – El Grande Toto (Morocco)
“Kaay Waay” – VJ (Senegal)
“Laho” – Shallipopi (Nigeria) – Winner
“Ololufe Mi” – Jux & Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
“Push 2 Start” – Tyla (South Africa)
“Shake it to the Max” – Moliy, Shenseea, Skillibeng & Silent Addy (Ghana)
“With You” – Davido (Nigeria)
Best African Dance/Choreography
Jaylann – “Ha Wlidi” (Morocco)
Lady Ponce – “Je veux danser” (Cameroon)
Rebo – “Mobambo” (DRC)
Serge Beynaud – “Taper Dedans” (Côte d’Ivoire)
Toofan – “Deodorant” (Togo)
Tyla – “Push 2 Start” (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles & Royal Musiq – “Zenzele” (Eswatini)
Weeha – “Dimama” (Ethiopia) – Winner
Werrason – “Tout se paie ici bas” (DRC)
Wizkid – “Kese” (Nigeria)
Best African Act – Reggae, Ragga & Dancehall
Magasco – “Dirty Whine” (Cameroon)
Moliy, Shenseea, Skillibeng & Silent Addy – “Shake it to the Max” (Ghana)
Ruger & Kranium – “Dudu” (Nigeria)
Sean Morgan – “Vuu” (Malawi)
Black Sherif – “Rebel Music” (Ghana)
Takana Zion – “On My Eyes” (Guinea) – Winner
Tiwa Savage – “Forgiveness” (Nigeria)
Wakadinli – “Kum Baba” (Kenya)
Yemi Alade – “Baddie” (Nigeria)
Iyani, Mwanaa & Cedo – “Kifo cha Mende” (Kenya)
Best African Collaboration
Blanche Bailly & Lady Ponce – “Lève toi” (Cameroon)
Goon Flavour, Master Kg & Eemoh – “Ngishutheni” (South Africa)
Mia Guissé ft. Wally Seck – “Choix” (Senegal)
Moliy, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea – “Shake It to the Max” (Ghana)
Paki Chenzu ft. Himra – “Assaut” (Togo/Côte d’Ivoire)
Shallipopi ft. Burna Boy – “Laho” (Nigeria) – Winner
Uncle Waffles ft. Cowboii, Royal Musiq, Uncool MC & Xduppy – “Zenzele” (Eswatini)
Davido ft. Omah Lay – “With You” (Nigeria)
Mawhoo, GL Ceejay & Thukuthela ft. Jazzworx – “Bengicela” (South Africa)
Benny Adam & Khadija El Warzazia – “Mok Ya Mok” (Morocco)
Most Promising Artist of the Year
Cysoul (Cameroon)
Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
King Luca (Cameroon)
L’Oiseau Rare (Gabon)
Lwah Ndlunkulu (South Africa)
Massamba Amadeus (Senegal)
Qing Madi, Valorant (Nigeria) – Winner
Rym (Morocco)
Kunmie (Nigeria)
Fola (Nigeria)
Artist of the Year
Amr Diab (Egypt)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Davido (Nigeria)
DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)
El Grande Toto (Morocco)
Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Jux (Tanzania)
Rema (Nigeria) – Winner
Shallipopi (Nigeria)
Tyla (South Africa)
Breakout Artist of the Year
Blaq Major (South Africa)
Ciza (South Africa) – Winner
Eboloko (Gabon)
Himra (Côte d’Ivoire)
Marioo (Tanzania)
Mawhoo (South Africa)
Moliy (Ghana)
Shallipopi (Nigeria)
Trap King (Algeria)
VJ (Senegal)
Best African Lyricist Rapper
ALA (Tunisia)
Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire) – Winner
Jessy B (Congo B)
Klassafan le Melangeur (Guinea)
Nasty C & Usimamane (South Africa)
Nyashinski (Kenya)
Reminisce (Nigeria)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Switch (Libya)
Yacou B OG (Mali)
Best African Artist, Duo or Group – African Hip-Hop
ALA ft. Mootjeyek (Tunisia)
Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
Eboloko (Gabon)
El Grande Toto (Morocco)
Himra (Côte d’Ivoire)
Phyno (Nigeria) – Winner
Nasty C & Usimamane (South Africa)
Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Suspect 95 (Côte d’Ivoire)
Best African Artist, Duo or Group – RnB & Soul
Bensoul & V- Be (Kenya)
Big Zulu ft. Malungelo (South Africa)
Braye (Nigeria)
Calema (Sao Tome)
Emma’a (Gabon)
Kunmie (Nigeria)
Manal (Morocco)
Naledi Aphiwe & Mawelele (South Africa)
Rema (Nigeria) – Winner
Wegz ft. Tayc (Egypt)
Best African Duo, Group or Band
Babylone (Algeria)
Blaq Diamond (South Africa)
Celema (Sao Tome & Principe)
Team Paiya (Côte d’Ivoire) – Winner
The Cavemen (Nigeria)
Tinariwen (Mali)
Toofan (Togo)
Vestine & Dorcas (Rwanda)
Wapendwa Muziki (Kenya)
We Are Nubia (Kenya)
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