By Rita Okoye
The international jury of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has expressed excitement over the surge in submissions for the 2025 edition of the awards.
Now in its fourth week since the portal opened on May 27, thousands of entries have poured in from music professionals across Africa and the diaspora.
Submissions span a wide range of creatives including artists, songwriters, producers, DJs, dancers, choreographers, and video directors.
Jury member Delani Makhalima from Zimbabwe described the turnout as “a reflection of the growing influence of AFRIMA,” adding that it shows African creatives “are ready and eager to shine on the world stage.”
Another jury member, Omar Essaidi from Morocco, urged early submissions, warning that the strict timeline won’t be extended. Only works released between August 8, 2024, and August 8, 2025, are eligible.
Final nominees will be announced on August 24, with public voting running from September 5 to November 28. The grand awards ceremony will take place on November 30 in Lagos, Nigeria—confirmed as the 2025 host city by the African Union.
The week-long event will also feature the Africa Music Business Summit, Nominees & Industry Night, AFRIMA Music Village, and the Diamond Showcase. The ceremony will be broadcast live in 84 countries.