All Africa Music Awards

All Africa Music Awards (also referred to as AFRIMA) is an annual awards event to reward and celebrate musical works, talents and creativity around the African continent while promoting the African cultural heritage. Its pioneer Awards show was held in 2014. The awards event was established by the International Committee AFRIMA, in collaboration with the African Union (AU).

History

Nigeria has hosted three of the award editions during 2014–2016. Nigeria once again won the fourth-year hosting rights tenure in 2017. However, the Republic of Ghana was given the right to host the All Africa Music Awards for four consecutive years from December 2018 to 2020. On Monday, July 15, 2019, The International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards, (AFRIMA) withdrew the hosting rights from Republic of Ghana for the 2019 and 2020 editions of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, over lack of capacity by the Host Country to meet the financial and contractual obligations entered to on July 12, 2018, necessary to retain hosting the biggest music event in Africa. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, AFRIMA did not hold as scheduled but returned in 2021 and was hosted in Lagos, Nigeria.

Organisation

The International Committee of AFRIMA consists of five regions: SADEC, Eastern Africa, Central Africa, Northern, Southern Africa and Western Africa, which are run by regional directors and 54 country directors. Public votes determine which artists get awarded, alongside a jury of experienced African culture, media and music industry experts/professionals.

Host cities

Award categories

These awards consist of 37 prizes of two categories: region-based awards (covering the five African regions) overseeing the achievements of African artistes within their specific regions of origin and the genre-based continental awards.

Regional awards

1. Best Female Artiste in Central Africa
2. Best Male Artiste in Central Africa
3. Best Female Artiste in Western Africa
4. Best Male Artiste in Western Africa
5. Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa
6. Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa
7. Best Female Artiste in Northern Africa
8. Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa
9. Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa
10. Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa.

Continental awards

1. Artiste of the Year
2. African Fans' Favorite
3. Album of the Year
4. Best African Collaboration
5. Best African Contemporary
6. Best African Electro
7. Best African Group/Duo/Band
8. Best African Hip Hop
9. Best African Jazz
10. Best African Pop
11. Best African Reggae/Ragga/Dancehall
12. Best African RnB/Soul
13. Best African Rock
14. Best African Traditional
15. Best Female Inspirational
16. Best Male Inspirational
17. Best African DJ
18. Best African Lyricist/Rapper
19. Best African Act in Diaspora
20. Best African Dance/Choreography
21. AFRIMA Legend Award
22. Most Promising Artiste of the Year
23. Producer of the Year
24. Revelation of the African Continent
25. Song of the Year
26. Songwriter of the Year
27. Video of the Year.

Past award winners

2014 edition

2015 edition

2016 edition

2017 edition

2018 edition