The international 13-member jury of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has expressed satisfaction with the high number of submissions received just four weeks into the entry window for the 2025 edition.
Since the AFRIMA 2025 entry portal opened on Monday, May 27, music professionals and recording organizations across Africa and the diaspora have been submitting their works in droves. Entries have poured in from artists, songwriters, music producers, video directors, DJs, dancers, record labels, choreographers, and even emerging, unrecorded talents.
Delani Makhalima, a renowned Zimbabwean songwriter and music producer representing Southern Africa on the AFRIMA international jury, said the response has been overwhelming and a strong indicator of AFRIMA’s growing global impact.
“We are truly excited and encouraged by the massive turnout since we opened the portal,” he said. “It tells us that African creatives believe in what AFRIMA stands for. They see it as more than just an award—it’s a movement and a platform that gives their work international visibility, connects them to the global music industry, and validates their craft. The quick influx of entries within the first few days shows that African talents are ready and eager to shine. AFRIMA remains a trusted home where Africa’s voices are celebrated and projected to the world.”
The AFRIMA portal welcomes entries across a broad spectrum of categories, giving room for creatives of African origin, both on the continent and in the diaspora, to showcase their work.
Important Dates:
- Submission Deadline: August 8, 2025
- Nominees Announcement: August 24, 2025
- Public Voting: September 5 – November 28, 2025
- Main Awards Ceremony: November 30, 2025
This year’s grand event will be held in Lagos, Nigeria, as confirmed by the African Union, with the Awards Week taking place from November 25 to 30, 2025. The packed week will feature major events, including: The Diamond Showcase, Africa Music Business Summit, Nominees & Industry Night, AFRIMA Music Village. The Main Awards Ceremony (Sunday, November 30).
The Awards Ceremony will be broadcast live to audiences in 84 countries worldwide.
According to Makhalima, only works released between August 8, 2024, and August 8, 2025, will be eligible for entry. All submissions must be made exclusively through the official AFRIMA website at www.afrima.org, in accordance with the guidelines and rules outlined. Email entries will not be accepted.
Omar Essaidi, a jury member from Morocco representing Northern Africa, echoed the need for early submissions, emphasizing the tight schedule and AFRIMA’s commitment to process integrity.
“Since 2013, AFRIMA has partnered with the African Union (AU) to promote, celebrate, and reward African music and talent globally. We follow a structured, transparent process that includes screening, adjudication, voting, and auditing. Our timelines are fixed to maintain fairness and credibility, and our processes are audited by a globally renowned assurance firm.”
All entries will undergo pre-screening and adjudication by the AFRIMA 13-member jury, which consists of seasoned experts in music production, journalism, and music critique from across Africa and the diaspora. The main adjudication will take place from August 12 to 19, 2025.
For more information, visit www.afrima.org or follow @afrimawards on all major social media platforms.