The 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) lit up Lagos on Sunday night (January 11, 2026) with a dazzling celebration of African music excellence, where Nigerian superstars dominated the winners’ rostrum among a glittering list of continental talents.
The star-studded ceremony was held at Eko Hotels and Suites, drawing artists, music industry heavyweights, and fans from across Africa and beyond.
At the centre of the night was Rema, who emerged as the evening’s biggest victor. The Afrobeats sensation clinched three major awards — Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, and Best African Artiste in RnB & Soul, cementing his status as one of the continent’s most influential talents. Grammy-winning global icon Burna Boy also secured a top honour, taking home Album of the Year for his acclaimed project No Sign of Weakness, reinforcing his artistic consistency and continued impact on the African music stage. Veteran songstress Yemi Alade added another win to her storied career, claiming Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary for her song “You Are” from the animated series Iyanu, a creative achievement that highlights her versatility across mediums.
Other Major Winners of the Night
The 9th AFRIMA Awards showcased broad talent across genres and regions, celebrating established stars and rising voices alike:
Continental & Special Awards
Song of the Year: “Laho” – Shallipopi (Nigeria) — Winner
Best African Collaboration: “Laho” – Shallipopi ft. Burna Boy (Nigeria) — Winner
Most Promising Artiste of the Year: Qing Madi (Nigeria) — Winner
African Fans’ Favourite: Chella (Nigeria) — Winner
Best African Artiste in African Hip-Hop: Phyno (Nigeria) — Winner
Regional Category Winners
Best Male Artiste in Central Africa: Singuila (The Congo) — Winner
Best Female Artiste in Central Africa: Cindy Le Coeur (DRC) — Winner
Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa: Jux (Tanzania) — Winner
Best Female Artiste in Western Africa: Wendy Shay (Ghana) — Winner
Genre & Craft Categories
Best African Dance/Choreography: Weeha – “Dimama” (Ethiopia) — Winner
Best African Video of the Year: “Ova” – Mbosso (Tanzania) — Winner
Producer of the Year: Element Eleéh & Mugisha Fred Robinson (Rwanda) — Winners
Best African Act Reggae, Ragga & Dancehall: Takana Zion – “On My Eyes” (Guinea) — Winner
A Night to Remember
The 9th edition of AFRIMA didn’t just celebrate chart success — it honoured artistic versatility, cultural impact, and the future of African music. Performances, fashion, and high-profile appearances underscored the event’s growing stature as one of the continent’s most prestigious music award shows.
From seasoned veterans like Yemi Alade to breakthrough talents like Qing Madi and Chella, this year’s ceremony showcased the depth and diversity of African music today — with Nigeria firmly at the forefront.
