AFRIMMA 2026 Unveils Star-Studded Nominee List Celebrating Africa’s Musical Excellence
The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMMA) has dropped its highly anticipated 2026 nominee list, and it’s a powerful testament to the continent’s thriving musical landscape. From Lagos to Johannesburg, Nairobi to Cairo, the nominations span the entire African continent, showcasing the diverse talents pushing African music to unprecedented global heights.
This year’s roster reads like a who’s who of African music royalty. Nigerian superstars Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Rema, and Asake dominate multiple categories, while Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz, South Africa’s Tyla, and Ghana’s Black Sherif prove that Afrobeats’ global explosion is part of a broader African musical renaissance. The nominations recognize achievements across 35 categories, from regional excellence to continental impact, with fresh faces competing alongside established legends.
The competition is fierce in flagship categories like Artist of the Year, where Asake, Fally Ipupa, Diamond Platnumz, Burna Boy, Rema, Tyla, Tems, Davido, and Bien will battle it out. Meanwhile, the Best Collaboration category features heavyweight team-ups including Fally Ipupa and Wizkid’s “Jam,” Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You,” and Bien with Alikiba on “Finale.” Regional categories highlight talent from West, East, Central, Southern, and North Africa, ensuring representation from every corner of the continent.
Beyond music performance, AFRIMMA 2026 recognizes the full ecosystem that powers African music—from video directors like TG Omori and Director Pink, to producers including Masterkraft and MOG Beatz, to DJs like Spinall and Uncle Waffles. Special categories honor dancers like Uganda’s Ghetto Kids, influencers including Senegal’s Khaby Lame, and even African athletes like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. The Community Impact Award and AFRIMMA Timeless Impact Award round out the nominations, celebrating those building legacies both musical and social.
Full AFRIMMA 2026 Nominees by Category
Best Male West Africa
- Davido (Nigeria)
- Black Sherif (Ghana)
- BNXN (Nigeria)
- Rema (Nigeria)
- Asake (Nigeria)
- Didi B (Ivory Coast)
- Djodje (Cape Verde)
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Wizkid (Nigeria)
- Ruger (Nigeria)
- Dino Santiago (Cape Verde)
Best Female West Africa
- Hadzi Vodushi (Ghana)
- Tems (Nigeria)
- Josey (Ivory Coast)
- Viviane Chidid (Senegal)
- Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- Moliy (Ghana)
- Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
- Mariam Ba Lagare (Mali)
- Teni (Nigeria)
- Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
Best Male East Africa
- Lij Michael (Ethiopia)
- Marioo (Tanzania)
- Eddy Kenzo (Uganda)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Juma Jux (Tanzania)
- Bien (Kenya)
- Mbosso (Tanzania)
- Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
- Single Dee (South Sudan)
- Barnaba (Tanzania)
Best Female East Africa
- Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
- Veronica Adane (Ethiopia)
- Bridget Blue (Kenya)
- Zuchu (Tanzania)
- Nikita Kering (Kenya)
- Ariel Wayz (Rwanda)
- Njerae (Kenya)
- Winnie Nwagi (Uganda)
- Salemia (Ethiopia)
Best Male Central Africa
- Matias Damásio (Angola)
- Dadju (DR Congo)
- TayC (Cameroon)
- Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)
- Calema (São Tomé & Príncipe)
- Gims (DR Congo)
- Gerilson Israel (Angola)
- Ko-C (Cameroon)
Best Female Central Africa
- Anna Joyce (Angola)
- Rebo (DR Congo)
- Krys M (Cameroon)
- Blanche Bailly (Cameroon)
- Cindy Le Coeur (DR Congo)
- Espoir La Tigresse (Gabon)
- Jessy B (Republic of the Congo)
- Emma’a (Gabon)
Best Male Southern Africa
- Scott Maphuma (South Africa)
- Nutty O (Zimbabwe)
- Yo Maps (Zambia)
- DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)
- Zeze Kingston (Malawi)
- Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
- William Last KRM (Botswana)
- Kabza De Small (South Africa)
Best Female Southern Africa
- Mawhoo (South Africa)
- Tamy Moyo (Zimbabwe)
- Charma Gal (Botswana)
- Babalwa M (South Africa)
- Hanna (Zimbabwe)
- Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
- Bombshell Grenade (Zambia)
- Makhadzi (South Africa)
- Tyla (South Africa)
Best Male North Africa
- Wegz (Egypt)
- Stormy (Morocco)
- Adviser (Mauritania)
- Amr Diab (Egypt)
- Marwan Moussa (Egypt)
- ElGrandeToto (Morocco)
- DJ Snake (Algeria)
- Cheb Momo (Algeria)
Best Female North Africa
- Marwa Loud (Morocco)
- Chirine Lajmi (Tunisia)
- Manal (Morocco)
- Souhila Ben Lachhab (Algeria)
- Sherine (Egypt)
- Latifa (Tunisia)
- Kenza Morsli (Algeria)
- Zina Daoudia (Morocco)
Crossing Boundaries with Music Award
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Aya Nakamura (Mali)
- Rema (Nigeria)
- Davido (Nigeria)
- Toby Nwigwe (Nigeria)
- Flavour (Nigeria)
- Wizkid (Nigeria)
- Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)
- Odeal (Nigeria)
Best Newcomer
- Lisandro Cuxi (Cape Verde)
- Mavo (Nigeria)
- Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
- 6uff (Nigeria)
- Lava Lava (Tanzania)
- Florito (Angola)
- Toxic Lyrikali (Kenya)
- Fola (Nigeria)
Artist of the Year
- Asake (Nigeria)
- Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Rema (Nigeria)
- Tyla (South Africa)
- Tems (Nigeria)
- Davido (Nigeria)
- Bien (Kenya)
Best Gospel
- Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
- Prosper Germoh (Cameroon)
- Christina Shusho (Tanzania)
- Miguel Buila (Angola)
- Bidemi Olaoba (Nigeria)
- Deborah Lukalu (DR Congo)
- Joel Lwaga (Tanzania)
- Moïse Mbiye (DR Congo)
- Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye (Nigeria)
Best Female Rap Act
- Rosa Ree (Tanzania)
- Eno Barony (Ghana)
- Bombshell Grenade (Zambia)
- Freda Rhymz (Ghana)
- Moozlie (South Africa)
- Ssaru (Kenya)
- Ami Yerewolo (Mali)
- Candy Bleakz (Nigeria)
Best Male Rap Act
- Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
- Jeriq (Nigeria)
- Ninho (DR Congo)
- Black Sherif (Ghana)
- A-Reece (South Africa)
- 6uff (Nigeria)
- Blxckie (South Africa)
- Yung Lunya (Tanzania)
- Phyno (Nigeria)
- Himra (Ivory Coast)
Best Collaboration
- Bien & Alikiba — Finale
- BNXN & Sarz — Back Outside
- Davido & Omah Lay — With You
- Diamond Platnumz ft. Juma Jux — Joy
- Patoranking ft. Ruger — Shake That
- Fally Ipupa ft. Wizkid — Jam
- Jazzworx & Tukuthela — Bengicela
- Flavour ft. Baaba Maal — Afroculture
- Marvais Djo ft. Kano Choir — Pile
Song of the Year
- Davido ft. Omah Lay — With You
- BNXN & Sarz — Back Outside
- Bien & Alikiba — Finale
- Diamond Platnumz ft. Juma Jux — Joy
- Moliy ft. Shenseea & Skillibeng — Shake It to the Max
- Black Sherif — So It Goes
- Ciza — Isaka (6AM)
- Young Jonn — Elumelu
- DopeNation — Kakalika
- Marvais Djo ft. Kano Choir — Pile
- DJ Kedjevara — Ça Fait Mal
Best Video Director
- Hanscana (Tanzania)
- Director Pink (Nigeria)
- Elias Belkader (Algeria)
- Mateo Da Silva (Cameroon)
- TG Omori (Nigeria)
- Babs Direction (Ghana)
- Jake Zaral (Zimbabwe)
- Dammy Twitch (Nigeria)
Best DJ Africa
- DJ Spinall (Nigeria)
- DJ Dollar (Senegal)
- Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
- DJ Obi (Nigeria)
- DJ Tunez (Nigeria)
- DJ Sly King (Ghana)
- DJ Commissioner Wysei (Nigeria)
- DJ Nelasta (Angola)
- Major League DJs (South Africa)
- DJ Kaywise (Nigeria)
- DJ Dope Caesar (Nigeria)
- DJ Moh (Kenya)
Best African DJ USA
- DJ Kuncept (Nigeria)
- DJ Akua (Ghana)
- DJ Prince (Nigeria)
- DJ Bode (Nigeria)
- DJ Chelsea (Canada)
- DJ Shinski (Kenya)
- DJ Birame BB L’amour (Ivory Coast)
- DJ Oreo (Nigeria)
- Lex and Answer (Zimbabwe)
- DJ Nani (Nigeria)
Music Producer of the Year
