African Music Elite Converge in Lagos for Landmark 9th AFRIMA

Sixteen leading African artistes have arrived in Nigeria as Lagos prepares to host the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), an event aimed at celebrating the continent’s musical excellence while projecting Africa’s culture to the global stage.

The week-long programme, which began on Wednesday, January 7, will climax on Sunday, January 11, 2026, under the hosting of the Lagos State Government.

Activities lined up for the celebration include a major continental concert on Friday, January 9, featuring headline performances by African music superstars, while the grand finale on Sunday will see a spectacular live broadcast of Africa’s premier music awards, complete with world-class production and dazzling stage performances.

The awards ceremony will take place at Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, while Ikeja will host the high-profile concert.

Speaking at a media briefing to herald the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, described AFRIMA as one of Africa’s most influential cultural platforms.

According to her, the awards have grown beyond recognition ceremonies to become a vehicle for cross-cultural collaboration, economic promotion and global visibility for African creativity.

She reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to supporting initiatives that elevate African talent and position culture as a catalyst for development, while also acknowledging key partners, including the British High Commission, for their sustained collaboration in cultural exchange and creative diplomacy.

Benson-Awoyinka noted that the 9th edition of AFRIMA will convene artistes, producers, policymakers, industry leaders and creative entrepreneurs from across Africa and beyond, further underscoring the creative sector’s growing contribution to employment, tourism, youth empowerment and Africa’s global image.

She congratulated all nominees and participants, describing their work as a powerful showcase of Africa’s diversity, resilience and global competitiveness, while reiterating Lagos’ status as Africa’s cultural and creative capital.

On his part, AFRIMA President, Mike Dada, said the African Union approved Lagos as host city after careful consideration, noting that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu readily accepted the hosting rights on behalf of the state.

Dada explained that AFRIMA was conceived not just as an entertainment platform but as a tool for continental integration, peace-building and economic transformation, particularly for young people.

He stressed that the awards and accompanying music summit focus on ensuring that Africa benefits economically from its booming music industry, including access to finance, fair taxation and global revenue returns.

According to him, AFRIMA remains committed to using culture, spanning music, fashion, food and digital creativity, as a driver of development and poverty reduction across the continent.