The organizers of the 2026 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMMA) have officially unveiled the nominees for this year’s edition, with African music heavyweights Davido, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, Asake, Tems, Tyla, Black Sherif, Diamond Platnumz, Ayra Starr, and several other stars dominating the nominations.
The annual awards celebrate outstanding achievements by African musicians, producers, DJs, entertainers, actors, influencers, and creatives who have made remarkable contributions to the continent’s entertainment industry over the past year.
Nigeria once again emerged as one of the strongest represented countries, with Davido, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, Asake, BNXN, Ruger, Tems, Ayra Starr, Tiwa Savage, Teni, Odumodublvck, Phyno, Jeriq, DJ Spinall, DJ Obi, DJ Tunez, Masterkraft, Andre Vibez, Magicsticks, TG Omori, Director Pink, Poco Lee, Basketmouth, Bovi, Timini Egbuson, Uzor Arukwe, Bimbo Ademoye, Uche Montana, and several others earning nominations across multiple categories.
Best Male West Africa Nominees
- Davido
- Burna Boy
- Wizkid
- Rema
- Asake
- BNXN
- Black Sherif
- Ruger
- Didi B
- Djodje
- Dino Santiago
Best Female West Africa
- Tems
- Ayra Starr
- Tiwa Savage
- Teni
- Josey
- Moliy
- Viviane Chidid
- Mariam Ba Lagare
- Hadzi Vodushi
- Soraia Ramos
One of the night’s biggest contests will be the Artist of the Year category, featuring:
- Davido
- Burna Boy
- Rema
- Asake
- Tems
- Tyla
- Diamond Platnumz
- Fally Ipupa
- Bien
The coveted AFRIMMA Album of the Year category includes:
- Davido — 5ive
- Burna Boy — No Sign of Weakness
- Asake — M$NEY
- Omah Lay — Clarity of Mind
- Black Sherif — Top of The Morning Era
- Tyla — A-Pop
- Leigh-Anne — My Ego Told Me To
- Lloyiso — Never Thought I Could
- Himra — SORRY I’M BAD
The race for Song of the Year features several chart-topping hits, including:
- Davido ft. Omah Lay — With You
- BNXN & Sarz — Back Outside
- Bien & Alikiba — Finale
- Diamond Platnumz ft. Juma Jux — Joy
- Moliy, Shenseea & Skillibeng — Shake It to the Max
- Black Sherif — So It Goes
- Young Jonn — Elumelu
- DopeNation — Kakalika
Among the notable nominations:
- Best Male Rap Act: Odumodublvck, Phyno, Jeriq, Black Sherif, A-Reece, Himra and others.
- Best Female Rap Act: Candy Bleakz, Eno Barony, Rosa Ree, Moozlie and others.
- Best Collaboration: Davido & Omah Lay, BNXN & Sarz, Flavour & Baaba Maal, Fally Ipupa & Wizkid, Patoranking & Ruger, among others.
- Music Producer of the Year: Masterkraft, Andre Vibez, Magicsticks, London, MOG Beatz, Dlala Thukzin and Xduppy.
- Best Video Director: TG Omori, Director Pink, Dammy Twitch, Babs Direction and others.
- Best DJ Africa: DJ Spinall, DJ Obi, DJ Tunez, DJ Kaywise, DJ Dope Caesar, Uncle Waffles and Major League DJs.
The prestigious AFRIMMA Timeless Impact Award nominees include:
- Timaya
- Flavour
- Kcee
- Sarkodie
- Amr Diab
- Nameless
- Oskido
- Slap Dee
- Bebe Cool
- Mafikizolo
The sports category also features some of Africa’s biggest stars:
- Victor Osimhen
- Ademola Lookman
- Achraf Hakimi
- Serhou Guirassy
- Pascal Siakam
- Faith Kipyegon
- Nnamdi Madubuike
With several of Africa’s biggest entertainers competing in multiple categories, this year’s AFRIMMA Awards is expected to be one of the most competitive editions in the history of the event.
Music fans across the continent are already debating who deserves to take home the biggest honours, particularly in the Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year categories, where Nigerian stars once again dominate the nominations.
The winners will be announced during the AFRIMMA 2026 Awards ceremony, where Africa’s finest entertainers will gather to celebrate excellence and the continued global rise African music.
