Burna Boy, Davido and DJ Maphorisa top AFRIMA 2025 nominations with five nods each—plus rising stars like Moliy and Shallipopi shine too.
When the continent’s heartbeat pulses through music, the spotlight naturally turns to those who shape its rhythm. This year, at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2025, Burna Boy, Davido, and DJ Maphorisa stand tall—each collecting five nominations in a triumphant display of artistic mastery.
AFRIMA 2025: Nominations That Tell a Story
AFRIMA 2025 has unveiled a stellar nominee lineup after a record-breaking submission of 10,717 entries. This marks the highest in the awards’ 12-year history.
From that massive pool, a 13-member international jury selected 343 nominees across 40 categories. Covering Africa’s diverse regions and the diaspora.
Top Contenders & Their Categories
Nigeria’s musical elite—Burna Boy and Davido—lead the pack, each with five nominations. Both are up for Album of the Year (“No Sign of Weakness” and “5ive,” respectively, While also competing in Song of the Year and Best Collaboration.
South Africa’s DJ Maphorisa matches them with five nominations too, including Album of the Year and Best African DJ.
Morocco’s El Grande Toto, Senegal’s Mia Guissé, and Ghana’s Moliy also scored five nominations each, signaling the rise of both regional stars and the growing power of female voices in African music.
Rising Voices & Regional Powerhouses
Fast-rising talents like Nigeria’s Shallipopi nabbed four nods, including Artiste of the Year and Song of the Year for his hit “Laho.”
East Africa is represented strongly, with Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), South Africa’s Tyla, and Eswatini’s Uncle Waffles each receiving four nominations.
Other notable nominees include Nigeria’s Rema, DR Congo’s Fally Ipupa, Morocco’s Jaylann, and Côte d’Ivoire’s Himra, reflecting the widespread creativity across genres and geographic borders.
Voice of Recognition: AFRIMA’s Observers
Journalism mammoth This Day echoes the dominance of Nigeria’s stars and highlights DJ Maphorisa’s presence. Meanwhile, MusicInAfrica confirms the topline with insight into the voting dates and the breadth of nominations
Jury member Delani Makhalima captured the sentiment best:
“Twelve years in, we’re now here. This is global. This is AFRIMA, the biggest music entity on the face of the continent.”
AFRIMA 2025: A Celebration of African Elegance & Genius
Voting opens globally on September 10, 2025, and closes on November 30—the eve of the awards.
The awards week unfolds from November 25 to 30 in Lagos, featuring vibrant events like the Music Village, Africa Music Business Summit, and the Nominees Party, culminating in the live broadcast finale on November 30 across 84 countries.
Related Topic: South African Star Tyla Secures Two 2025 MTV VMA Nominations
AFRIMA showcases how artistry, from mainstream icons to emerging voices, pulses at Africa’s cultural core. The diversity of nominees—from Western Africa to the diaspora—celebrates music as the continent’s most unifying art form. These nominations are stories of resilience, evolution, and how African talent now earns global attention.
