The ninth edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), themed “Unstoppable Africa,” has ended, but its impact on the continent’s music and creative industry is expected to resonate long after the curtains fell.

The grand finale of the awards ceremony was held on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, attracting top artistes from across Africa, government officials, industry leaders and other dignitaries.

The evening opened with a colourful red carpet display, as entertainers and guests arrived in striking Afrofusion outfits that reflected Africa’s rich cultural diversity. Inside the venue, guests were seated according to ticket categories, with the VIP section offering a premium experience, including close proximity to the stage, refreshments and beverages.

At the centre of the celebration was the presentation of the iconic 23.9-carat gold-plated AFRIMA trophy, awarded to artistes, producers, sound and video directors, and other creatives who made outstanding contributions to African music over the past year.

Nigerian superstar Rema emerged as one of the biggest winners of the night, clinching both Artiste of the Year and Best Male Artiste in Western Africa. Burna Boy won Album of the Year for No Sign of Weakness, while Shallipopi secured Song of the Year for Laho. Yemi Alade also took home the award for Best Soundtrack in a Movie for You Are.

Other notable winners included Jux of Tanzania, who won Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa, and Cindy Le Coeur of the Democratic Republic of Congo, named Best Female Artiste in Central Africa. Phyno was crowned Best African Hip Hop Artiste, while Chella won the African Fans’ Favourite award.

One of the lighter moments of the ceremony occurred during an award presentation featuring Annie Idibia and former Big Brother Naija housemate Adekunle. Their playful onstage interaction drew loud cheers, particularly when Adekunle jokingly asked Annie about her relationship status, sparking excitement amid public interest following her separation from 2Face Idibia.

The audience was also entertained by electrifying performances from artistes including Falz, Flavour, Seyi Vibez, Qing Madi and Kunmie. A standout moment came when Shallipopi, during his performance, invited Rema on stage, with their shared appearance sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Beyond the awards night, AFRIMA 2026 unfolded as a five-day celebration of African music and culture. Activities commenced with a welcome soirée hosted by the British High Commission in Ikoyi on Wednesday, January 7, bringing together nominees, creatives, industry leaders and global partners.

This was followed by the Africa Music Business Summit on Thursday, January 8, at the Eko Convention Centre. The summit convened artistes, policymakers, diplomats and global stakeholders to discuss ownership, investment, copyright, distribution and the future of African music. With the theme “Connect, Build, Own: Monetising Africa’s Music Revolution,” discussions focused on strengthening the business and economic structures of the industry.

In his welcome address, AFRIMA President, Mike Dada, stressed the need for greater attention to the business side of music.

“African music is not only about the songs and vibes, but about building the business aspect of the industry,” he said, noting that the summit was designed to bridge the gap between creatives and decision-makers.

Delivering the keynote address, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, praised the rapid growth of African music and urged young creatives to believe in their potential. She highlighted Sweden’s success in building a globally competitive music industry and reaffirmed her country’s willingness to partner with African creatives in monetisation and global promotion.

Representing the African Union Commission, Angela Martins, Head of the Culture Division, described music and the creative economy as vital drivers of development, unity and job creation across the continent.

On investment and infrastructure, Mark Smithson, Country Director, Department for Business and Trade at the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos, emphasised the need for African-led solutions, supported by the international community.

The Lagos State Government also reiterated its commitment to the creative sector. The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, described Lagos as Africa’s cultural capital, revealing that the state invested N8.4bn in creative industries in 2025.

The celebration peaked with the AFRIMA Music Village on Friday, January 9, at the Ikeja City Mall, where over 25 artistes and DJs from across Africa thrilled fans. Headlined by Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti, the event featured performances by Wande Coal, Diamond Platnumz, Yemi Alade, Stonebwoy, Innoss’B, Kcee, 9ice, Obesere, Jeriq, Skales, Moliy, Mavo and Adewale Ayuba.

With its blend of awards, performances and industry-focused dialogue, AFRIMA 2026 reinforced Africa’s growing influence on the global music stage and underscored the continent’s determination to build a sustainable and profitable creative economy.