Lagos, Nigeria’s vibrant commercial hub, has been confirmed as the host city for the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2025, scheduled for November 2025, marking a triumphant return after a four-year hiatus. The announcement, made on May 12, 2025, in Abuja, positions Lagos as the epicenter of African music, celebrating the continent’s rich cultural heritage and global influence.
AFRIMA, established in 2014, is Africa’s premier music awards platform, recognizing excellence across 38 categories, from Best Male/Female Artist to Best African DJ and Songwriter. The 2025 edition, themed “Harmony in Diversity,” will feature a four-day festival, including a music village, workshops, and a grand awards ceremony at a yet-to-be-announced Lagos venue, expected to draw 10,000 attendees. Lagos, hosting AFRIMA for the third time after 2014 and 2017, was chosen for its world-class infrastructure, with 20 hotels and 15 event spaces secured, and its status as a music powerhouse, home to Afrobeats stars like Burna Boy and Wizkid.
The event, backed by the African Union and Nigeria’s Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, aims to generate $5 million in economic impact, creating 3,000 jobs in hospitality, security, and production. Nigeria’s 2024 creative industry GDP contribution of $5 billion, with music accounting for 30%, underscores AFRIMA’s economic significance. The awards will spotlight emerging genres like Amapiano and Gen Z-driven sounds, with 2024 nominees including South Africa’s Tyla and Nigeria’s Rema, who won global categories in 2021.
Security remains a priority, with Lagos deploying 2,000 personnel and AI surveillance, learning from past events where overcrowding strained logistics. The hiatus since 2021, due to funding and COVID-19 challenges, saw AFRIMA pivot to virtual formats, but 2025’s return to in-person festivities reflects renewed investor confidence, with $2 million in corporate sponsorships. Challenges include ensuring accessibility for fans, as 40% of 2021 attendees cited high ticket costs. AFRIMA’s open voting platform, closing October 2025, expects 20 million votes, amplifying its role in uniting Africa’s 1.4 billion people through music.a