Joining the 14-member Jury are Marwane Fachane (Morocco – Northern Africa), Asma Lucy Ilado (Kenya – Eastern Africa), and Messie Mboukou (Congo Brazzaville – Central Africa). Their selection aligns with AFRIMA’s operational model, which ensures regional representation and professional excellence across Africa’s vibrant music ecosystem.
These appointees are not only cultural thought leaders but also champions of youth and creative development. They bring with them a wealth of experience in music, media, and the arts, and are set to help steer the rigorous selection process that identifies and celebrates Africa’s finest musical talents.
Profiles in Creative Leadership
Marwane Fachane currently serves as Executive Director of the Hiba Foundation, one of Morocco’s foremost cultural organisations. With a mission focused on empowering young creatives, the foundation nurtures talent across music, film, and the arts. Fachane expressed both excitement and purpose in joining the Jury:
“I’m honoured to be part of AFRIMA’s jury. This platform is key to celebrating African talent and showing the world what our continent can offer.”
He added that Africa’s creative industry is growing rapidly and deserves sustained support and global exposure.
In Central Africa, the inclusion of Messie Mboukou signals AFRIMA’s recognition of dynamic, youthful voices. Based in France, Mboukou runs a consulting agency that supports African artists both at home and in the diaspora. His professional track record includes organising over 1,000 cultural events globally.
“It’s a privilege to be part of AFRIMA,” he noted. “Africa’s greatest wealth is in its youth and culture. If we support young talent and work together, the future will be even brighter.”
He pledged to uphold fairness and excellence throughout the adjudication process.
Eastern Africa’s representative, Asma Lucy Ilado, is a veteran journalist and cultural development consultant. Passionate about heritage and artistic expression, Ilado is well known for her advocacy for investment in Africa’s creative infrastructure. She paid tribute to two former AFRIMA Jury members—the late Rab Bakari of Ghana and Kenya’s own Tabu Osusa—describing them as cultural icons who paved the way for others.
“Platforms like AFRIMA are important, not just for recognising excellence, but for building bridges between regions and helping the industry grow stronger,” she remarked.
Ilado also highlighted the urgent need for better production, rights protection, training, and distribution mechanisms within the African music scene.
A Diverse Team for a Diverse Continent
The new jurors join a rich ensemble of music industry professionals representing the five regions of Africa and the diaspora. These include familiar names such as Olisa Adibua (Jury-in-Charge/Associate Producer), Vicensia Shule (AU representative), and Joett from Tanzania. Other members hail from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Nigeria, Cameroon, and North America.
Adenrele Niyi, AFRIMA’s Chief Experience Officer (CXO), formally welcomed the new members, praising their credentials and expressing optimism about their contributions:
“We are delighted to welcome Lucy, Marwane, and Messie to the AFRIMA International Jury. Each of them is a respected music professional with solid experience in their respective regions. Their inclusion this year adds a refreshing layer of perspective to our already diverse and highly skilled Jury,” she said.
Niyi also shared her anticipation for the upcoming jury sessions in Lagos this August, calling it a “deeply inspiring” time for the organisation.
Submission Deadline Nears as Global Anticipation Builds
AFRIMA has issued a final reminder to musicians, producers, choreographers, and labels: submissions for the 2025 awards close on August 8, 2025. All entries must be submitted via the official AFRIMA website. With the event now in its eleventh year, being shortlisted for an AFRIMA award represents a significant milestone for artists across the continent and in the diaspora.
This year’s event is set to hold from November 25 to 30, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria. The week-long festival of music, culture, and celebration will be broadcast across 84 countries, reaffirming AFRIMA’s role as Africa’s leading global music awards platform.
As the excitement grows, the addition of Fachane, Ilado, and Mboukou to the AFRIMA Jury underscores the awards’ enduring mission: to spotlight the best of African music while upholding values of integrity, diversity, and excellence.