The African Union (AU) and the International Executive Committee of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) have announced the 10th edition of the awards, set for Lagos, Nigeria, from May 18 to 23, 2027, with the grand ceremony on May 23. The event, part of a global calendar unveiled in Los Angeles, aims to strengthen Africa’s creative economy through cultural exchange and investment. The announcement was made at the 10th AFRIMA Creative Industry Roundtable and Global Calendar Unveiling in Beverly Hills, California, on October 11, 2026, the day the Call for Entries opens.
AFRIMA President and Executive Producer Mike Dada confirmed the timeline for submissions, which will run from October 11, 2026, to January 10, 2027. Pre-screening of entries will occur from January 11–14, followed by adjudication from January 15–22, with nominees announced on January 29. Public voting will take place from February 21 to May 21, 2027. Eligible works must have been released between August 10, 2025, and January 10, 2027, ensuring a focus on recent African musical output.
The global build-up includes the #Road2AFRIMA10Xperience, a series of events in cities such as London, Windhoek, Cotonou, Nairobi, Accra, Paris, Warri, and Port Harcourt. In Lagos, the AFRIMA 10X Conference, Media Parley, and Industry Night are scheduled for April 14, 2027, alongside university activations and concerts from February to April. The main events will begin with the AFRIMA Diamond Showcase on May 18, leading to the awards ceremony on May 23.
Dada emphasized the 10th edition’s significance as a milestone celebrating a decade of African musical excellence. He stated, “African artistes are filling arenas globally. But visibility alone is not enough. We must turn visibility into opportunity, opportunity into investment, and investment into sustainable creative industries.” The event, he added, serves as a “roadmap for engagement, collaboration, investment, and cultural exchange,” uniting artists, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders.
The Los Angeles unveiling followed earlier #Road2AFRIMA10Xperience engagements in Dar es Salaam, Abidjan, and Rabat. Attendees included comedians, actors, producers, and cultural figures such as Darryl Vega, Razz Adeoti, and choreographer Kaffy. American producer Septimius The Great, who delivered welcome remarks, highlighted the importance of bridging African and American creative communities. “When we build the bridge between Africa and America, we create opportunities for global reach,” he said.
Narendra Reddy, COO of The Africa Channel, called for a sustainable African creative economy where creators receive fair commercial value. “Africa’s 54 nations must collaborate to open markets, attract investment, and elevate African music globally,” he stated. The event also featured discussions on policy reforms to improve citizens’ lives and the role of the creative sector in economic development.
Established in 2013 by AFRIMA and the AU, the awards have grown into Africa’s most prestigious music platform, broadcast in over 84 countries. The 10th edition underscores AFRIMA’s role in promoting African culture and fostering partnerships to transform artistic talent into economic capital. The event’s global calendar reflects a strategic effort to position Africa as a central force in the international creative landscape.
The 10th AFRIMA Awards will not only celebrate musical achievements but also serve as a catalyst for investment and collaboration, reinforcing Africa’s cultural and economic influence on the world stage.
AFRIMA’s global calendar and events aim to create pathways for African creativity, ensuring the continent’s artistic contributions are recognized, valued, and sustained.
The Los Angeles unveiling marked a pivotal step in the build-up to the 2027 event, with stakeholders from across Africa and the diaspora emphasizing the need for systemic support to realize the continent’s creative potential.
As the countdown begins, the 10th AFRIMA Awards promise to be a landmark moment for African music, culture, and economic development, with Lagos set to host the global celebration of African talent.