ninth AFRIMA: Lagos Comes Alive as Africa’s Greatest Music Awards Start

The Lagos State Authorities has formally welcomed Africa and the worldwide music group because the ninth version of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) kicked off in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Africa’s international music celebration holds from January 7 to 11, 2026, because the cultural fiesta commenced on Wednesday with a Welcome Soiree for nominees and company, hosted by the British Excessive Fee in Nigeria. Different highlights of the five-day occasion embrace the Africa Music Enterprise Summit on Thursday, January 8; the AFRIMA Music Village, that includes performances by over 25 A-list artistes and DJs from throughout the continent on Friday, January 9 at Ikeja Metropolis Mall; and the Principal Awards Ceremony on Sunday, January 11 at Eko Resorts and Suites, Lagos. The awards will likely be broadcast dwell to audiences in additional than 84 nations worldwide.

Talking on Wednesday at a press convention held on the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, to herald the graduation of the worldwide occasion, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Tradition, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, who spoke on behalf of the state authorities because the official host metropolis, described AFRIMA as “a really exceptional celebration of creativity, excellence and the unifying energy of music throughout Africa and the world.”

She added: “This gathering is a strong convergence of cultures, concepts and potentialities. It’s a second the place Africa speaks to the world by way of rhythm, melody and storytelling, and Lagos is deeply honoured to host this gathering of remarkable skills, business leaders, policymakers and inventive visionaries.”

She famous that music and tradition have turn out to be highly effective instruments for financial development and international connection, including that Lagos is proud to host an occasion that continues to form narratives and join continents.

AFRIMA President and Government Producer, Mike Dada, defined that AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union Fee, is “the longest and biggest-running African music platform that promotes and showcases African expertise to the remainder of the world.” He mentioned the final version was held in Dakar, Senegal, and after in depth deliberations, the African Union awarded the internet hosting rights of the ninth version to Lagos, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu graciously accepted on behalf of the individuals of the state.

In accordance with him, “The purpose of AFRIMA goes past leisure. The concept is to showcase African music expertise, show the capability of the continent and inform the world that Africa is stuffed with excellence. We additionally use this platform to advertise peace and integration, and to point out that music can take younger individuals away from the streets.”

Dada added that AFRIMA additionally promotes African cities and tourism. “Many people know London and Paris greater than we all know African cities. Via AFRIMA, we promote African locations to the world, which is why the occasion is broadcast to over 30 nations,” he mentioned.

He additional disclosed that AFRIMA has supplied about 6,000 tickets to the Lagos State Authorities by way of the Ministry for distribution throughout all native governments and LCDAs, to allow younger individuals who might not in any other case afford it to attend the AFRIMA Music Village freed from cost.

Additionally talking, AFRIMA Affiliate Producer, Olisa Adibua, mentioned awards platforms are important to the expansion of the music business. “In different elements of the world, industries thrive as a result of they’ve infrastructure and programs that reward excellence. For music to develop in Africa, awards like AFRIMA are vital. We’re the spine and a part of the way forward for the business,” he said.