# 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 outbreak 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

| Year | Date | Country | Host city | Venue | Host(s) |
| 2014 | 27 December | Nigeria | Lagos | Grand Ballroom, Oriental Hotel | 2baba Idibia (Nigeria) and Maryse Acotie (Togo) |
| 2015 | 15 November | Nigeria | Lagos | Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites | DNG (Kenya) and Aurelie Eliam (Côte d'Ivoire) |
| 2016 | 6 November | Nigeria | Lagos | Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites | Ahmed Soultan (Morocco); Bonang Matheba (South Africa) and Ika De Jong (DR Congo) |
| 2017 | 12 November | Nigeria | Lagos | Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites | Akon (Senegal) and Sophy Aiida (Cameroon) |
| 2018 | 24 November | Ghana | Accra | Accra International Conference Centre | Michael Blackson (Ghana), Pearl Thusi (South Africa) and Anita Erskine (Ghana) |
| 2019 | 23 November | Nigeria | Lagos | Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites | Pearl Thusi (South Africa) and Eddie Kadi (Democratic Republic of the Congo) |
| 2021 | 21 November | Nigeria | Lagos | Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites | Pearl Thusi (South Africa) and Eddie Kadi (Democratic Republic of the Congo) |
| 2022 | 12–15 January 2023 | Senegal | Dakar | Grand Arena, Dakar Senegal | Ahmed Sylla; Cameroonian actress and broadcaster, Sophy Aiida and South African screen gem, model and presenter, Pearl Thusi |

## 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

* Best Female Artiste in Central Africa
* Best Male Artiste in Central Africa
* Best Female Artiste in Western Africa
* Best Male Artiste in Western Africa
* Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa
* Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa
* Best Female Artiste in Northern Africa
* Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa
* Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa
* Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa.

### Continental awards

* Artiste of the Year
* African Fans' Favorite
* Album of the Year
* Best African Collaboration
* Best African Contemporary
* Best African Electro
* Best African Group/Duo/Band
* Best African Hip Hop
* Best African Jazz
* Best African Pop
* Best African Reggae/Ragga/Dancehall
* Best African RnB/Soul
* Best African Rock
* Best African Traditional
* Best Female Inspirational
* Best Male Inspirational
* Best African DJ
* Best African Lyricist/Rapper
* Best African Act in Diaspora
* Best African Dance/Choreography
* AFRIMA Legend Award
* Most Promising Artiste of the Year
* Producer of the Year
* Revelation of the African Continent
* Song of the Year
* Songwriter of the Year
* Video of the Year.

## Past award winners
### 2014 edition

| Category | Winner | Country | Title |
| Artist of the Year | Afrotronix | Chad | Azaba |
| AFRIMA Legend Award | Fela Anikulapo Kuti | Nigeria | |
| Producer of the Year | Don Jazzy, Robbie Malinga and Mojalefa Thebe | Nigeria and South Africa | "Eminado" and "Impilo" |
| Song of the Year | Davido | Nigeria | "Aye" |
| Revelation of the African Continent | Wiyaala feat. Jupitar | Ghana | "Rock my body" |
| Best Video | Bez (Kemi Adetiba) | Nigeria | "Say" |
| Best Male Artist in Inspirational Music | Bro. Philemon feat. Morris | Ghana | "It is Well" |
| Best Female Artist in Inspirational Music | Nikki Laoye | Nigeria | "Only You" |
| Best African Rock | Dear Zim | Zimbabwe | "Indiana" |
| Best African Traditional Music | Adjiboye and Yinka Ayanda | Benin Republic and Nigeria | "Inna" and "Ise" |
| Best RnB and Soul | 2Baba Idibia | Nigeria | "Dance in the Rain" |
| Best African Reggae, Ragga and Dancehall | Radio and Weasel | Uganda | "Breath Away" |
| Best African Pop | Elani | Kenya | "Kookoo" |
| Best African Hip Hop | Davido | Nigeria | "Aye (song)" |
| Best African Electro | Mi Casa | South Africa | "Jika" |
| Best African Contemporary | Angelique Kidjo | Benin Republic | "Shango Wa" |
| Most Promising Artist in Africa | Wiyaala | Ghana | "Rock My Body" |
| Best African Collaboration | D'banj and Friends | 19 countries in Africa | "Cocoa Na Chocolate" |
| Best African Group/Duo/Band | Paul and Peter Okoye (P-Square) | Nigeria | "Personally" |
| Song Writer of the Year | Brymo | Nigeria | Down |
| Album of the Year | Olamide | Nigeria | Baddest Guy Ever Liveth |
| Best Male in Western Africa | Davido | Nigeria | "Skelewu" |
| Best Female in Western Africa | Angelique Kidjo | Benin Republic | "Shango Wa" |
| Best Male in Southern Africa | Heavy K feat. Professor | South Africa | "Beautiful War" |
| Best Female in Southern Africa | Cindy Munyavi | Zimbabwe | "Parere Moyo" |
| Best Male in Northern Africa | Ahmed Soultan | Morocco | "It’s Alright" |
| Best Female in Northern Africa | Noura Mint Seymale | Mauritania | "Tzenni" |
| Best Male in Eastern Africa | Diamond Platnumz | Tanzania | "Number One" |
| Best Female in Eastern Africa | Vanessa Mdee | Tanzania | "Cover" |
| Best Male in Central Africa | Fally Ipupa | DR Congo | "Original" |
| Best Female in Central Africa | Laurette La Perle | DR Congo | "Lembo La Mboka Ame" |

### 2015 edition

| Category | Winner | Country | Title |
| Album of the Year | Charlotte Dipanda | Cameroon | Elle n'a pas vu |
| Song Writer of the Year | Jose Chameleone | Uganda | Wale Wale |
| Best African Group/Duo/Band | Sauti Sol | Kenya | Sura yako |
| Best African Collaboration | AKA ft Burna Boy, Dales and Jr | South Africa and Nigeria | All eyes on me |
| Most Promising Artiste in Africa | Kiss Daniel | Nigeria | Woju |
| Best Artist in African Contemporary | Charlotte Dipanda | Cameroon | Elle n'a pas vu |
| Best Artist in African Electro | Flavour | Nigeria | Power to win |
| Best Artist in African Hip Hop | Cassper Nyovest | South Africa | Ghetto |
| Best Artist in African Pop | Vanessa Mdee | Tanzania | Hawajui |
| Best Artist in Reggae, Ragga and Dancehall | Stonebwoy | Ghana | Pull Up (Remix) |
| Best Artist in African RnB and Soul | Praiz | Nigeria | If I fall |
| Best Artist in African Traditional Music | Gangbe Brass Band | Benin | Yoruba |
| AFRIMA Legend Award | Ladysmith Black Mambazo | South Africa | |
| Best Artist in African Rock | M'vula | Angola | Volume 10 |
| Best Female Artist in Inspirational Music | Betty Akna | Equatorial Guinea | Africa united |
| Best Male Artist in Inspirational Music | Darey | Nigeria | Pray for me |
| Video of the Year in Africa | Wiyaala | Ghana | Africa |
| Revelation of the African Continent | Adekunle Gold | Nigeria | Sade |
| Song of the Year | Diamond Platnumz | Tanzania | Nasema Nawe |
| Best Artist in African Jazz | Kunle Ayo | Nigeria | Joromi |
| Artist of the Year | Diamond Platnumz | Tanzania | |
| Producer of the Year | Sauti Sol | Kenya | Sura yako |
| Music/Entertainment Journalist of the year | Oris Aigbokhaevbolo | Nigeria | Going Country: Nashville-Lives |
| Best Female in Central Africa | Charlotte Dipanda | Cameroon | Elle n'a pas vu |
| Best Male in Central Africa | Stanley Enow | Cameroon | King Kong |
| Best Female Artist in Eastern Africa | Tsedenia | Ethiopia | Yet Biye |
| Best Male in Eastern Africa | Diamond Platnumz | Tanzania | Nasema Nawe |
| Best Female Artist in Northern Africa | Manal | Morocco | Denia |
| Best Male Artist in Northern Africa | Ahmed Soultan | Morocco | This is who I am |
| Best Female in Southern Africa | Busiswa | South Africa | Lahla |
| Best Male in Southern Africa | Cassper Nyovest | South Africa | Ghetto |
| Best Female Artist in Western Africa | Yemi Alade | Nigeria | Kissing |
| Best Male Artist in Western Africa | Olamide | Nigeria | Bobo |

### 2016 edition

| Category | Winner | Country | Title |
| Album of the Year | Ahmed Soultan | Morocco | Music Has No Boundaries |
| Song Writer of the Year | Unique | Uganda | Njogereza |
| Best African Group/Duo/Band | VVIP | Ghana | Dogo Yaro |
| Best African Collaboration | Eddy Kenzo and Niniola | Uganda and Nigeria | Mbilo Mbilo |
| Most Promising Artiste in Africa | Amine Aub | Morocco | Feel the Same |
| Best Artiste in African Contemporary | Flavour | Nigeria | Mmege Mmege |
| Best Artiste in African Electro | Such | Zimbabwe | You |
| Best Artiste in African Hip Hop | Stanley Enow | Cameroon | Work Hard |
| Best Artiste in African Pop | Diamond Platnumz | Tanzania | Utanipenda |
| Best Artiste in Reggae, Ragga and Dancehall | Patoranking | Nigeria | No kissing |
| Best Artiste in African RnB and Soul | Henok and Mehari Brothers | Ethiopia | Ewedi Shalehu |
| Best Artiste in African Traditional Music | Zainab | Benin | Bolojo |
| AFRIMA Legend Award | Manu Dibango | Cameroon | — |
| Best Artiste in African Rock | M'vula | Angola | Tristezase Alegrias |
| Best Female Artiste in Inspirational Music | Naomi Achu | Cameroon | Busy Body |
| Best Male Artiste in Inspirational Music | Icha Kavons | DR Congo | Testimony |
| Video of the Year in Africa | VVIP | Ghana | Dogoyaro |
| Revelation of the African Continent | Falz | Nigeria | Bad Baddo Badest |
| Song of the Year | Diamond Platnumz | Tanzania | Utanipenda |
| Producer of the Year | Kuseim | Uganda | Mbilo Mbilo |
| Artiste of the Year | Wizkid | Nigeria | Final (Baba Nla) |
| Best Artiste in African Jazz | Jimmy Dludlu | South Africa | Ha Deva |
| Best Female in Central Africa | Bruna Tatiana | Angola | Prometo Mudar |
| Best Male in Central Africa | Wax Dey | Cameroon | Saka Makossa |
| Best Female Artist in Eastern Africa | Cindy Sanyu | Uganda | Still Standing |
| Best Male in Eastern Africa | Diamond Platnumz | Tanzania | Utanipenda |
| Best Female Artist in Northern Africa | Zina Daoudia | Morocco | La Waheed Wala Million |
| Best Female in Southern Africa | Sally Boss Madam | Namibia | Natural |
| Best Male in Southern Africa | Black Coffee | South Africa | Come with me |
| Best Male Artiste in Western Africa | Flavour | Nigeria | Dance |
| Best Female Artiste in West Africa | Aramide | Nigeria | I Don't Care |

### 2017 edition

| Category | Winner | Country | Title |
| AFRIMA Legend Awards | Oliver Mutikudzi | Zimbabwe | — |
| AFRIMA Legend Awards | Salif Keita | Mali | — |
| Artist of the Year in Africa | Wizkid | Nigeria | Come Closer |
| Song of the Year in Africa | Wizkid | Nigeria | Come Closer |
| Producer of the Year | DJ Coublon (Sheyi Shay) | Nigeria | Yolo Yolo |
| Album of the Year in Africa | Eddy Kenzo | Uganda | Shuari Yako |
| Revelation of the Year | Shyn | Madagascar | Resim Pitia |
| Songwriter of the Year | Simi | Nigeria | Smile for Me |
| Video of the Year | Orezi(Adasa Cookey) | Nigeria | Cooking Pot |
| African Fans’ Favourite | The Dogg | Namibia | Shuukifa Kwi |
| Best Artist or Group in African Traditional | Halmelmal Abate | Ethiopia | Harar |
| Best Artist in African Pop | Toofan [fr] | Togo | Tere Tere |
| Best Artist or Group in African RnB and Soul | Ali Kiba | Tanzania | Aje ft MI |
| Best Artist or Group in African Hip-Hop | YCEE | Nigeria | Juice |
| Best Artist or Group in African Reggae, Ragga and Dancehall | 2Baba Idibia | Nigeria | Holy Holy |
| Best Artist or Group in African Electro | Nsoki | Angola | Africa Unite ft DJ Maphorisa and Paulo Alves |
| Best Artist in African Jazz | Nduduzo Mhakatini | South Africa | Igagu |
| Best Artist in African Rock | Gilad | Kenya | Angel Uriel |
| Best African Collaboration | Ali Kiba ft MI | Tanzania | Aje |
| Best African Group | Toofan | Togo | Tere Tere |
| Most Promising Artist in Africa | Neza | Rwanda | Uranyica |
| Best Artist or Group in African Contemporary | Wande Coal | Nigeria | Iskaba |
| Best Female Artist in Inspirational Music | Asikey | Nigeria | Earth Attack |
| Best Male Artist in Inspirational | Gilad | Kenya | Angel Uriel ft Omer Millo |
| Best Female Artist in Western Africa | Tiwa Savage | Nigeria | All Over |
| Best Male Artist in Western Africa | Wizkid | Nigeria | Come Closer ft Drake |
| Best Male Artist in Southern Africa | Emtee | South Africa | We Up |
| Best Female in Southern Africa | Thandiswa | South Africa | Nonsokolo |
| Best Male Artist in Northern Africa | Amr Diab | Egypt | Meaddy El Nas |
| Best Female Artist in Northern Africa | Ibitssam Tiskat | Morocco | Menak Wla Meni |
| Best Male Artist in Eastern Africa | Eddy Kenzo | Uganda | Fikir Yishala |
| Best Female Artist in East Africa | Nandy | Tanzania | One Day |
| Best Male Artist in Central Africa | Locko | Cameroon | Supporte Ft Mr Leo |
| Best Female Artist in Central Africa | Montess | Cameroon | In Love With a Gun Man |

### 2018 edition

| Category | Winner | Country | Title |
| Best Female Artist in Central Africa | Daphne | Cameroon | Jusqu’à La Gare |
| Best Female Artist of the year | Yemi Alade | Nigeria | Herself |
| Best Male Artist in Central Africa | Fally Ipupa | Congo | Mannequin Ft Keback and Naz |
| Best Female Artist in Eastern Africa | Betty G | Ethiopia | Mengedegna |
| Best Male Artist in Eastern Africa | Bebe Cool | Uganda | Freedom |
| Best Female Artist in Northern Africa | Lyna Mayhem | Algeria | Bye Bye |
| Best Male Artist in Northern Africa | Hamza El Fadly | Morocco | Ya Mraya |
| Best Female Artist in Southern Africa | Shekhinah | South Africa | Please Mr |
| Best Male Artist in Southern Africa | Nasty C | South Africa | Jungle |
| Best Female Artist in Western Africa | Tiwa Savage | Nigeria | Ma Lo ft Wizkid and Spellz |
| Best Male Artise in Western Africa | Davido | Nigeria | Fia |
| Album of the Year | Betty G | Ethiopia | Wegegta |
| Artist of the Year | Davido | Nigeria | Fia |
| Best African Video | Sesan Ogunro | Nigeria | Gringo (Shatta Wale) |
| Best African Act in Diaspora | Hazel Mak | Malawi | Jaiva Ft. Roberto and Tay Grin |
| Best African Collaboration | GuiltyBeatz, Mr Eazi, Patapaa and Pappy Kojo | Ghana-Nigeria | Akwaaba |
| Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Contemporary | Kidi | Ghana | Odo Remix Ft. Mayorkun and Davido |
| Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Dance or Choreography | Mr P | Nigeria | Ebeano |
| Best African DJ | Afrotronix | Chad | OyO |
| Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Electro | Master KG | South Africa | Skeleton Move Ft. Zanda Zakuza |
| Best African Duo, Group or Band | Toofan | Togo | Money |
| Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Hip Hop | M.anifest Ft. King Promise | Ghana | Me Ne Woa |
| Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Jazz | Sibusiso Mashiloane | South Africa | Niza |
| Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Pop | 2Baba | Nigeria | Amaka Ft. Peruzzi |
| Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Ragga, Reggae and Dancehall | Stonebwoy | Ghana | Hero |
| Best Artist, Duo or Group in African RnB and Soul | Praiz | Nigeria | Champagne and Flowers |
| Best African Rapper or Lyricist | Falz | Nigeria | La Fête |
| Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Traditional | Irene Namatovu | Uganda | Nsambila Nyuma Nga Janzi |
| Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Rock | Maryam Saleh, Maurice Louca, Tamer Abu Ghazaleh | Egypt | Ekaa Maksour |
| Best Female Artist in African Inspirational Music | Sandra Nankoma | Uganda | Kaddugala |
| Best Male Artist in African Inspirational Music | Sarkodie | Ghana | Glory Ft. Yung |
| Most Promising Artist in Africa | Kuami Eugene | Ghana | Confusion |
| Producer of the Year | Fresh VDM | Togo | Fia |
| Revelation of the Year | Betty G | Ethiopia | Ere Manew |
| Song of the Year | GuiltyBeatz, Mr Eazi, Patapaa and Pappy Kojo | Ghana - Nigeria | Akwaaba |
| Songwriter of the Year | Shekhinah Donell, Amon Taulo Chibiya II | South Africa | Different Ft. Mariechan |
| African Fans’ Favourite | Nedy Music | Tanzania | One and Only Ft. Ruby |