The 2026 edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), one of the continent’s most prestigious music ceremonies, took place from January 7 to January 11.
The event honours artistes who have made significant impact across the African music scene over the past year. Originally scheduled for November 2025, the ceremony was moved to January to allow for a more expansive celebration of Africa’s rich cultural and musical heritage.
Spanning 36 award categories and drawing thousands of submissions across the continent, winners were determined through fan voting conducted online between September and November 2025. Nigerian artistes dominated the winners’ list, further reinforcing the country’s continued influence on the global African music landscape.
Afro-rave star Rema emerged as the most awarded act of the ceremony with three major wins. He took home Best Male Artiste (Western Africa), Best African Artiste R&B and Soul, and the coveted Artiste of the Year award, marking yet another milestone in his solidified career.
Street-hop sensation Shallipopi also capped off a standout year with multiple wins. His international breakout hit “Laho” earned Song of the Year, while “Laho (Remix)” featuring Burna Boy won Best African Collaboration.
Grammy-winning artiste Burna Boy secured two trophies on the night, including Album of the Year for his eighth studio album No Sign of Weakness, as well as Best African Collaboration.
Other Nigerian winners included Yemi Alade, who won Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series, or Documentary for her contribution to the Iyanu soundtrack; Qing Madi for Most Promising Artiste; Phyno for Best African Hip-hop Artiste; and Chella, who claimed African Fans’ Favourite.
View the full list of AFRIMA winners below:
Regional Categories
- Best Male Artiste in Central Africa → Singuila (Congo)
- Best Female Artiste in Central Africa → Cindy Le Coeur (DRC)
- Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa → Juma Jux (Tanzania)
- Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa → Denise (Madagascar)
- Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa → Adviser (Mauritania)
- Best Female Artiste in Northern Africa → Sherine (Egypt)
- Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa → Yo Maps (Zambia)
- Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa → Nontokozo Mkhize (South Africa)
- Best Male Artiste in Western Africa → Rema (Nigeria)
- Best Female Artiste in Western Africa → Wendy Shay (Ghana)
Continental/Main Categories
- Album of the Year → Burna Boy – No Sign of Weakness (Nigeria)
- Song of the Year → Shallipopi – “Laho” (Nigeria)
- Artiste of the Year → Rema (Nigeria)
- Best African Collaboration → Shallipopi ft. Burna Boy – “Laho (Remix)” (Nigeria)
- Best African Artiste/Duo/Group in RnB & Soul → Rema (Nigeria)
- Best African Artiste/Duo/Group in African Hip-Hop → Phyno (Nigeria)
- Best Soundtrack in a Movie/Series/Documentary → Yemi Alade – You Are (from Iyanu: Child of Wonder animated series) (Nigeria)
- African Fans’ Favourite → Chella (Nigeria)
- Most Promising Artiste of the Year → Qing Madi (Nigeria)
- Best African Dance/Choreography → Weeha – “Dimama” (Ethiopia)
- Producer of the Year → Element Eleéh & Mugisha Fred Robinson (Rwanda)
- Best African DJ → DJ Moh Green (Algeria)
- Songwriter of the Year → Bakhaw Dioum – “Choix” (Mia Guissé ft. Wally B. Seck) (Senegal)
- Best African Video of the Year → Mbosso – “Ova” (Tanzania)
- Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music → Milo (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Best Female Artiste in African Inspirational Music → Morijah (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Best African Artiste/Duo/Group in African Jazz → Haddinqo (Ethiopia)
- Best Artiste/Duo/Group in African Contemporary → Axel Merryl (Benin)
- Best African Duo/Group or Band → Team Paiya (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Best African Act in Reggae/Ragga & Dancehall → Takana Zion – “On My Eyes” (Guinea)
- Breakout Artiste of the Year → Ciza (South Africa)
- Best African Lyricist/Rapper → Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire)