A Major Comeback for AFRIMMA.
The African Muzik Magazine Awards, AFRIMMA, is returning in 2026 after a two-year break, bringing together some of the biggest names in African music for a new edition in Dallas, Texas.
The awards and accompanying music festival are scheduled for September 12, 2026, at Annette Strauss Square. Organisers say the comeback will be bigger than previous editions, with the festival adding live music, food, fashion and cultural experiences to the awards programme.
Davido Leads the Nominations.
Nigerian superstar Davido enters the competition as the most-nominated artist, with five nominations across major categories.
His nominations include Artist of the Year, Best Male West Africa, Crossing Boundaries With Music and AFRIMMA Album of the Year. His collaboration with Omah Lay, “With You,” is also nominated for Best Collaboration and Song of the Year.
Burna Boy and Black Sherif Follow.
Davido is closely followed by Burna Boy, Diamond Platnumz and Ghanaian star Black Sherif, who each received four nominations.
The nominations demonstrate the continued strength of Nigeria and Ghana, while Diamond Platnumz’s presence gives Tanzania another strong position in the continental race.
Tyla Leads the Female Nominees.
South African superstar Tyla is the most-nominated female artist, receiving three nominations.
Nigeria’s Tems has two nominations, while several other major female artists from across Africa are represented in regional and continental categories. The female categories also feature established stars and emerging performers, showing the depth of talent competing this year.
East Africa Makes Its Presence Felt.
The 2026 nominations also underline the growing strength of East African music. Tanzania is particularly prominent, with artists including Diamond Platnumz, Marioo, Juma Jux, Mbosso, Barnaba, Zuchu and Abigail Chams appearing across different categories.
Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda and South Sudan are also represented, making the East African categories highly competitive.
Francophone Africa Gets Its Platform.
AFRIMMA’s regional categories also give greater visibility to artists from Francophone markets. Côte d’Ivoire’s Didi B and Josey, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Fally Ipupa and Dadju, Mali’s Mariam Ba Lagare, and Morocco’s ElGrandeToto and Manal are among the artists represented.
Cameroon also features strongly, with artists including TayC, Ko-C, Krys M and Blanche Bailly receiving nominations.
A Wider Definition of African Music.
The nominations extend beyond Afrobeats. Amapiano, hip-hop, gospel, reggae and dancehall are represented alongside regional African genres.
There are also categories recognising DJs, producers, dancers, actors, influencers and music videos. This broader approach reflects how Africa’s entertainment industry has expanded beyond recording artists alone.
AFRIMMA Adds a Music Festival.
One of the biggest changes this year is the introduction of the AFRIMMA Music Festival, which organisers describe as the first of its kind for the awards.
The festival will combine live performances with food vendors, fashion, games, cultural activities and a marketplace, creating a wider entertainment experience around the awards ceremony.
A New Test for African Music.
AFRIMMA’s return comes at a time when African music is becoming increasingly competitive across regional markets and international streaming platforms.
The 2026 nominations reflect that changing landscape, with established Nigerian stars facing strong competition from South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire and other markets.
As the September 12 ceremony approaches, the biggest question will be whether Nigeria’s traditional dominance can withstand the growing continental competition. More importantly, the awards provide another platform for African artists to demonstrate that the continent’s music industry is becoming increasingly diverse, interconnected and globally ambitious.
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