Algeria has signalled formal interest in hosting a future edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), opening the possibility of the continent’s biggest music platform staging its landmark celebrations in North Africa for the first time since its founding in 2014.
The expression of interest came during a meeting in Abidjan between Algeria’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, His Excellency Mohamed Abdelaziz Bouguetaia, and Algerian disc jockey DJ Moh Green, who claimed the Best African DJ award at the 9th AFRIMA held in Lagos in January. Algeria had a strong showing at the 9th edition, with DJ Moh Green winning Best African DJ and Izlan claiming Best African Rock, making Algeria one of the standout North African nations at the ceremony.
Accompanied by AFRIMA Associate Producer Victoria Nkong, DJ Moh Green presented his trophy to the ambassador during the courtesy call. Ambassador Bouguetaia said the meeting underlined the cultural weight of the award. “DJ Moh Green has made Algeria proud. He has carried our flag high and demonstrated that Algerian music has a strong voice in Africa and beyond. AFRIMA’s reach across the continent and its influence on youth and cultural policy are impressive. Algeria is open to hosting AFRIMA in the future and ready to explore that possibility,” he said.
The development follows Côte d’Ivoire’s own declaration of hosting ambitions. The Ivorian capital Abidjan served as the second stop on AFRIMA’s global Road to the 10th Edition stakeholder tour in February 2026, drawing strong participation from government officials, culture industry leaders, artistes and media representatives from across Francophone West Africa, with the Abidjan parley sending a clear message that the city is ready to host a future edition of the awards.
Nkong described the growing continental interest as a measure of AFRIMA’s evolution from an awards ceremony into a Pan-African institution. “We have witnessed the transformative impact of hosting in countries like Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal. The growing interest from countries across the continent affirms that AFRIMA is not just an awards ceremony, but a Pan-African institution,” she said.
DJ Moh Green, who noted he had been nominated four times before finally winning at the 9th edition, described the moment as historic. “For me, this is bigger than an award. Presenting my AFRIMA trophy to my country’s ambassador is a proud moment. It shows that African music connects governments, creatives and young people,” he said.
AFRIMA, established in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), broadcasts its annual ceremony live to audiences across more than 84 countries. The week-long Awards programme, which includes the Africa Music Business Summit (AMBS), the AFRIMA Music Village concert, and the flagship awards night, attracts over 5,000 visitors including nominees, international delegates, government officials, and media professionals to its host city.
The organisation is currently building toward its milestone 10th edition, with the first global engagement stop having been held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, last month before moving to Abidjan.
