Following the successful hosting of the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in Lagos, Nigeria, preparations for the symbolic 10th edition have begun in earnest, with the International Committee of AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union Commission, taking the campaign across key African cities.
The train had berthed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, last month for a similar Media and Stakeholders’ Parley, where artistes, including award winners Juma Jux and Folex, along with industry executives and government officials, gathered to assess the awards’ impact and promote stronger continental collaboration.
Now, the focus shifts to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where the International Committee of AFRIMA will host another high-level Media and Stakeholders’ Parley on February 17, 2026, in the Ivorian capital. The event is expected to draw leading artistes, regulators, music executives and cultural stakeholders from across Francophone West Africa and beyond, as the International Committee of AFRIMA consolidates engagement ahead of the 10th edition.
Among those billed to attend are 9th AFRIMA winners from Côte d’Ivoire, including Didi B, who won Best African Lyricist/Rapper; Milo, winner of Best Male African Inspirational Music; Team Paiya, which clinched Best African Duo, Group or Band; and Morijah, who emerged Best Female African Inspirational Music. Algerian star DJ Moh Green, who clinched the Best African DJ Award, is also expected at the event.
The 9th AFRIMA winners, along with other key stakeholders and members of the AFRIMA International Committee, are expected to share their experiences, offer insights into the significance of an award platform like AFRIMA, and explain why Africans must embrace and elevate institutions that genuinely promote the richness of African culture and identity.
Speaking ahead of the event, Guy Neza, an Ivorian and member of the AFRIMA International Jury, said the Abidjan parley forms part of a strategic build-up to the 10th edition. He explained that the engagement is aimed at strengthening collaboration with government institutions and key industry stakeholders across the Francophone region of West Africa and beyond, while also providing direction on how to further position and expand AFRIMA’s capacity as a truly global awards institution.
He added that beyond engagement, the platform will also enlighten stakeholders and the general public on how winners emerge at AFRIMA through a transparent process that begins with entry submissions, followed by nomination by a 13-man International Jury, and eventual voting by the Academy of Voters and fans.
This event is a powerful statement of AFRIMA’s commitment to amplifying the voice of Francophone Africa within the continental and global music industry. As a proud Ivorian and member of the AFRIMA International Jury, I view this gathering as a vital platform for collaboration, representation, and visibility for our creative community, Neza stated.
Francophone Africa has always been rich in rhythm, culture, and innovation, from Côte d’Ivoire’s Coupé-Décalé to Senegal’s mbalax and the urban fusions rising from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Cameroon, and beyond. It is time the rest of the continent and the world experience this dynamism at full volume, he added.
The Abidjan event will feature live performances, industry conversations and question-and-answer sessions with AFRIMA officials, past winners and nominees and other creatives.
The 9th AFRIMA held from January 7 to 11, 2026, in an atmosphere of unity, colour and creativity with winners emerging from West, East, North, Central, Southern Africa and in the diaspora. This widespread success further showed that the platform is a true platform for the whole continent, AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, Mr. Mike Dada, said.
AFRIMA is not just about giving awards. It is about bringing Africa together under one roof to celebrate our stories, culture and future through music, Dada stated. I am happy that we had delegates from at least 48 countries, including 1,216 artistes, delegates and production team members. Looking at the winners, all regions of Africa are represented, showing the growth of our music industry. Artistes from South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria and Ethiopia were among those who led in the major categories.
The week-long celebration began with a Welcome Soiree to formally receive Nominees and Guests held at the residence of the Deputy British High Commissioner on Wednesday, January 7. Activities continued with the Africa Music Business Summit at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, and on Friday, January 9, attention shifted to the AFRIMA Music Village at Ikeja City Mall, Lagos, where over 25 A-list artistes treated more than 20,000 people to the best of music at the high-octane concert.
The Eko Convention Centre at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, was filled beyond capacity as thousands poured in to witness the grand finale of the 9th AFRIMA Awards. In a dazzling ceremony, artistes, producers, video and sound directors, among other creatives, were honoured with the prestigious 23.9-carat gold-plated AFRIMA trophy.
The All Africa Music Awards represents a continental platform celebrating African musical excellence, cultural heritage, and creative innovation. Established to recognize and promote African music across diverse genres, AFRIMA awards artists, producers, video directors, sound engineers, and other creative professionals who contribute to the continent’s vibrant music industry.
The awards operate through a structured process involving entry submissions, nominations by an International Jury comprising music industry experts, and final selection through voting by an Academy of Voters and music fans. This multi-tiered approach aims to ensure transparency, fairness, and broad representation across Africa’s diverse musical landscape.
The partnership between AFRIMA and the African Union Commission underscores recognition of music and culture as strategic tools for continental integration, youth empowerment, and economic development. Music transcends linguistic, ethnic, and national boundaries, making it a powerful vehicle for promoting African unity and global visibility.
The stakeholder parleys across African cities serve multiple objectives including assessing AFRIMA’s impact on music industries, gathering feedback for improving the awards platform, strengthening government and institutional partnerships, promoting continental collaboration among music professionals, and educating stakeholders about AFRIMA’s processes and standards.
Côte d’Ivoire’s prominence at the 9th AFRIMA, with multiple winners across categories, highlights the country’s vibrant music scene and the talent emerging from Francophone West Africa. The Abidjan parley provides an opportunity to celebrate these achievements while encouraging continued artistic excellence and innovation.
Francophone Africa’s musical traditions encompass diverse genres including Coupé-Décalé from Côte d’Ivoire, mbalax from Senegal, soukous and rumba from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, bikutsi from Cameroon, and urban fusions blending traditional rhythms with contemporary hip-hop, R&B, and electronic influences. These genres contribute significantly to Africa’s musical diversity yet often receive less international exposure compared to Anglophone African music.
The 10th AFRIMA edition represents a milestone for the platform, which has grown from modest beginnings to become one of Africa’s premier music awards. The symbolic nature of this edition provides an opportunity for reflection on achievements, challenges, and future directions for continental music recognition and promotion.
