The African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Executive Committee of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) have announced that the 9th edition of the continent’s foremost music awards will now take place from Wednesday, 7 January to Sunday, 11 January 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Originally scheduled for November 2025, the new dates were finalised after what organisers described as extensive consultations with partners, artistes, and stakeholders across Africa and the diaspora.
In a statement confirming the change, Ms Angela Martins, Acting Director of Social Development, Culture and Sports and Head of the Culture and Sport Division at the African Union Commission, reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to celebrating African creativity and cultural excellence through the awards.
“The African Union Commission is proud to continue its partnership with AFRIMA in celebrating Africa’s creative excellence and global influence,” Martins said. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with the AU’s Cultural Policy for Africa and Agenda 2063, which prioritise the creative economy as a catalyst for sustainable development, youth empowerment, and continental integration. The new dates for the 9th AFRIMA in January 2026 provide an exciting opportunity to further showcase the diversity, innovation, and unity of Africa’s music and culture to the world.”
Explaining the rationale behind the rescheduling, Nde Ndifonka, AFRIMA’s Regional Director for Central Africa and Cameroonian musician popularly known as Wax Dey, said the adjustment would allow for wider participation and a stronger global showcase.
“AFRIMA is not just an award show; it is Africa’s global music stage,” he said. “Rescheduling the 9th edition to January allows us to deliver a world-class celebration that truly reflects Africa’s creative power. It ensures that artistes, fans, media, and partners can participate fully and give African music the grand platform it deserves.”
The 9th AFRIMA, organised in partnership with the African Union Commission, the Federal Government of Nigeria as the official host country, and Lagos State as the host city, will feature a week-long celebration of music, culture, and entertainment.
The festivities will open on Wednesday, 7 January, with a Welcome Soirée for nominees, delegates, and guests — a networking event for industry leaders, sponsors, and international media. That same day, the AFRIMA Diamond Showcase will spotlight 15 emerging African talents, providing them with a platform to reach a wider audience.
On Thursday, 8 January, the Africa Music Business Summit (AMBS) — AFRIMA’s flagship thought-leadership conference — will bring together stakeholders to discuss innovation and sustainability in the African music ecosystem. Later in the evening, the Music Icons’ Night will honour legendary figures who have shaped the continent’s sound and identity.
Friday, 9 January, will feature community outreach initiatives, school visits, and a cultural tour of Lagos, culminating in the AFRIMA Music Village
— a live outdoor concert expected to attract a large crowd of fans and performers.
The Nominees and Industry Party will hold on Saturday, 10 January, recognising past winners, current nominees, and AFRIMA’s partners in an evening of glamour and networking.
The week-long celebration will conclude on Sunday, 11 January 2026, with the AFRIMA Awards Ceremony at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos. The ceremony will include a live red-carpet broadcast and performances from some of Africa’s biggest stars. The event will be aired to more than 84 countries worldwide, reaffirming AFRIMA’s role as a major platform for showcasing African music to global audiences.
With the new dates confirmed, anticipation is already building for what promises to be one of the most significant gatherings in Africa’s creative calendar — a celebration of talent, innovation, and the continent’s unifying rhythm.
