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The ninth edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), scheduled to hold from January 7 to 11, 2026, in Lagos, has attracted support from key sectors, including finance, real estate, beverages, digital platforms, media, hospitality and international cultural institutions.
The AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), unveiled its strong list of sponsors and partners, showing growing confidence in African music as a major cultural and economic force.
Major organisations that have thrown their weight behind the sponsorship of the ninth edition, with the theme: ‘“Unstoppable Africa’, include the Lagos State Government, First Bank of Nigeria, Guinness Nigeria, The Address Homes, the Government of Sweden, and Gobet247.
Following the acceptance of Lagos State Government of the offer from the African Union, Lagos will once again serve as the Official Host City.
With the strong backing of the awards from the Federal Government of Nigeria, the ninth AFRIMA is expected to be hugely successful. The AUC remains AFRIMA’s legacy institutional partner.
At the top level of sponsorship, fast-growing digital payments and lifestyle platform Utilita and leading gaming and entertainment brand, Gobet247 are headlining the event as National Gold Sponsors.
At the Silver level, First Bank of Nigeria, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) and The Address Homes have been confirmed as National Silver Partners.
Guinness Nigeria joins as the Official Beer Sponsor, bringing added energy to this year’s festivities. AFRIMA also welcomes international cultural support from the British High Commission in Nigeria and the Embassy of Sweden, both serving as Cultural Exchange Partners.
In travel and hospitality, Wakanow, Pan Atlantic Travels, and Dorf Travels & Tours Limited have been named the Official Travel Partners. Vaniti Lagos and Knowhere Restaurant will host nominees and special guests as hospitality partners.
Popular youth culture platform, Mainland Block Party Lagos, will also support the celebration, towards adding street culture and community energy to the awards week at the AFRIMA Music Village, holding at Ikeja City Mall on Friday, January 9, 2026.
AFRIMA has also confirmed a strong coalition of leading media organisations across radio, television, digital platforms, print, and Out-of-Home (OOH) channels as its official media partners for the ninth edition. They include DSTV/Multichoice, HIPTV, Afro Music Pop, Base FM, Beat FM, Classic FM, Hot FM, Kennis FM, Lagos Talks, Inspiration FM, Traffic Radio, Radio Lagos, Eko FM, and Lasgidi FM.
Others on the partnership roster are The Culture Newspapers (TCN), Legit.ng, Max FM, Nigeria Info, Nigezie, Television Continental (TVC), and Yanga FM, along with top OOH companies led by MotoMedia, Yartview Limited, Optimus Exposure, Plural Media, Folham Nigeria Limited, and Nimbus Media.
Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, Olayinka Ijabiyi, said the partnership aligns with the bank’s long-standing commitment to Africa’s creative industry.
From the international community, Anna Westerholm, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Nigeria, said: “Sweden is proud to join AFRIMA in celebrating the richness and global impact of African music.”
Also speaking, Yinka Bakare, Marketing and Innovations Director at Guinness Nigeria Plc, said the brand’s involvement reflects its deep roots in African culture.
Founder and Chairman of The Address Homes, Dr. Bisi Onasanya, described AFRIMA as an important platform for African creativity, collaboration and cultural identity expressions.
Speaking during the sponsorship announcement in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, Ms. Edwidge Goli, Director of Partnerships at AFRIMA, described the sponsorship line-up as a strong vote of confidence in African music.
The 9th AFRIMA will commence with the Nominees and Guests Welcomes Soirees scheduled on January 7.
