Lagos has officially been named host of the 2025 edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) — a thrilling return that solidifies its place as the continent’s cultural heartbeat.
The bustling Nigerian metropolis, often dubbed Africa’s entertainment epicenter, is turning up the volume once again.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced in style, during a strategic meeting with delegates from the African Union and the AFRIMA International Committee, signaling not just a win for Lagos, but a victory for the entire Nigerian creative industry.
“This is more than an event,” the governor declared. “AFRIMA 2025 is an affirmation of Lagos’s position as Africa’s cultural and creative capital.”
The selection didn’t come easy. Lagos edged out strong contenders, including Johannesburg, in a competitive bidding process. The official handover ceremony, where Lagos will receive the hosting certificate, is scheduled for May 13, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
AFRIMA Executive Producer Mike Dada emphasized that the decision was driven by Lagos’s consistent investment in its entertainment ecosystem. With 1,600+ artists, over 1,100 production crew, and a projected global audience of 400 million, the week-long celebration is expected to explode with music, talent, and business potential — not to mention a surge in tourism, hospitality, and job opportunities.
But AFRIMA is more than just a glittering awards show. It’s a cultural movement. According to Angela Martins, Acting Director at the African Union Commission, the festival aligns perfectly with Agenda 2063, the AU’s strategic framework for a united, prosperous Africa.
“AFRIMA in Lagos is about identity. It’s about narrative. It’s about giving Africa’s creative voices a global stage,” Martins said.
As Lagos gears up to roll out the red carpet for the continent’s brightest stars, the world will once again watch Africa dance to its own beat — loud, prou
