The five-day celebration of African music, held in Lagos from January 7 to 11, 2026, attracted artistes, industry stakeholders, and delegates from over 48 African countries, further cementing AFRIMA’s reputation as the continent’s leading music awards platform.
Speaking after the event, Angela Martins, Head of Culture at the African Union Commission, said the success of the awards reflected the rising global influence of African music and the importance of collaboration between public and private institutions.
She described AFRIMA as more than an awards ceremony, noting that it has evolved into a platform for African unity, cultural expression, and storytelling. According to her, each edition strengthens ties among African nations and highlights culture as a powerful tool for integration and development.
Martins also praised Lagos for once again demonstrating its capacity to host large-scale international events, describing the state as a major hub for Africa’s creative economy.
AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, Mike Dada, similarly expressed appreciation to sponsors and partners, with special recognition for the Lagos State Government and Governor Sanwo-Olu. He said the level of support received reflected a shared belief in African music as a driver of unity, cultural pride, and economic growth across the continent.
Dada noted that Lagos provided a conducive environment for the event, citing logistics, security, and hospitality as key factors that contributed to the smooth execution of the awards. He described the state as a welcoming home for Africa’s creative industry and thanked the government for its continued partnership with AFRIMA.
Key sponsors and partners for the 9th edition included First Bank of Nigeria, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), The Address Homes, Guinness Nigeria, Utilita, and Gobet247. International cultural support came from the British High Commission in Nigeria and the Embassy of Sweden, both of which participated as Cultural Exchange Partners.
Other partners included Glenfiddich, Jägermeister, Super Travels Limited, Pan-Atlantic Travels, Wakanow, Dorf Travels & Tours Ltd, Vaniti Lagos, Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), and Mainland Block Party Lagos.
AFRIMA also acknowledged its Official Media Partners such as DSTV/Multichoice, Television Continental (TVC), African Union of Broadcasters (AUB), Silverbird Group, Kennis FM, Hip TV, Beat FM, Classic FM, Hot FM, Lagos Talks Inspiration FM, and Lasgidi FM, among others. Additional media and out-of-home visibility support were provided by several organisations, reflecting broad industry backing for the event.
According to Dada, the extensive list of sponsors and media partners underscores growing confidence in AFRIMA and the wider African music industry.
The week-long festivities began with a Welcome Soirée hosted at the residence of the Deputy British High Commissioner on January 7, followed by the Africa Music Business Summit at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites. The summit brought together music executives and creatives to discuss trends and the future of African music.
On January 9, the celebrations continued at the AFRIMA Music Village at Ikeja City Mall, where more than 25 top artistes performed before an estimated 30,000 fans.
The grand finale took place at the Eko Convention Centre, where the venue was filled to capacity for the awards night, broadcast to 84 countries worldwide. Winners across various categories were honoured with the iconic 23.9-carat gold-plated AFRIMA trophy, marking a memorable conclusion to the continent-wide celebration of African music and creativity.