The organizers of the All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) have announced a new date for the highly anticipated 9th edition of the continental event. Originally scheduled for November 25 to 30, 2025, the awards ceremony has now been rescheduled to January 7–11, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.
According to a statement released Thursday night, Nde Ndifonka, AFRIMA’s Regional Director for Central Africa, said the decision to move the event was made to guarantee a “world-class celebration” that fully showcases Africa’s artistic and cultural excellence.
“AFRIMA is not just an award show; it is Africa’s global music stage,” Ndifonka said. “Rescheduling the 9th edition to January allows us to deliver the kind of world-class celebration that truly reflects Africa’s creative power. It also ensures that more of our stakeholders, artistes, fans, media, and partners can participate fully.”
The 2026 edition will once again be hosted in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Federal Government of Nigeria, reinforcing AFRIMA’s status as the continent’s premier music awards event.
Angela Martins, AUC’s Acting Director of Social Development, emphasized that the collaboration aligns with the AU’s mission to strengthen Africa’s creative industries and empower young people through culture.
“The African Union Commission is proud to continue its partnership with AFRIMA in celebrating Africa’s creative excellence and global influence,” Martins said. “The new dates for the 9th AFRIMA in January 2026 provide an exciting opportunity to further showcase the rich diversity, innovation, and unity of Africa’s music and culture to the world.”
The week-long celebration will feature a packed itinerary designed to engage both the industry and the public. Festivities will begin on January 7 with a welcome soirée for nominees, industry leaders, and the media, along with a showcase for emerging artistes.
The Africa Music Business Summit will take place on January 8, followed by a Legends’ Night to honor trailblazers of the continent’s music scene.
On January 9, AFRIMA will host school outreach programs, a Lagos cultural tour, and the popular AFRIMA Music Village Concert, bringing together fans and performers in a vibrant open-air celebration.
The Nominees’ and Industry Party is slated for January 10, setting the stage for the grand awards night on January 11 at the Eko Convention Centre, complete with live performances and a red-carpet broadcast to audiences in more than 80 countries.
Nigerian heavyweights dominate this year’s nominees list. Burna Boy and Davido lead with five nominations each, followed by Shallipopi with four, Rema with three, and Ayra Starr with two.
The post AFRIMA 2025 postponed to January 2026, organizers confirm appeared first on Nigerian Entertainment Today.
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