The 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2026 celebrated the pinnacle of African musical talent at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island. The night was defined by a stellar performance from 24-year-old superstar Rema, who solidified his status as a global icon by clinching three of the evening’s most coveted prizes.
Major Highlights
- Rema’s Triple Crown: The “Calm Down” hitmaker was the biggest winner of the night, taking home Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, and Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African RnB/Soul.
- Burna Boy’s Album Success: Following his recent tour momentum, Burna Boy secured the Album of the Year award for his project, No Sign of Weakness.
- Yemi Alade’s Cinematic Win: The “Mama Africa” star won Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary for her work on “You Are” from Iyanu: The Animated Series.
- Regional Diversity: The awards highlighted the continent’s breadth, with major wins for Tanzania’s Jux (East Africa) and the DRC’s Cindy Le Coeur (Central Africa).
Full List of Winners
Regional Categories
| Category | Winner | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Best Male Artiste in Central Africa | Singuila | The Congo |
| Best Female Artiste in Central Africa | Cindy Le Coeur | DRC |
| Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa | Jux | Tanzania |
| Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa | Denise | Madagascar |
| Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa | List provided, winner noted in context as Sherine for Female | Egypt |
| Best Female Artiste in Northern Africa | Sherine | Egypt |
| Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa | Yo Maps | Zambia |
| Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa | Nontokozo Mkhize | South Africa |
| Best Male Artiste in Western Africa | Rema | Nigeria |
| Best Female Artiste in Western Africa | Wendy Shay | Ghana |
Continental & Genre Categories
- Artiste of the Year: Rema (Nigeria)
- Album of the Year: Burna Boy – No Sign of Weakness (Nigeria)
- Song of the Year: Shallipopi – “Laho” (Nigeria)
- Best African Artiste (RnB/Soul): Rema – “Calm Down” (Nigeria)
- Best African Act (Reggae, Ragga & Dancehall): Takana Zion – “On My Eyes” (Guinea)
- Best Soundtrack (Movie/Series): Yemi Alade – “You Are” (Nigeria)
- Best African DJ: DJ Moh Green (Algeria)
- Songwriter of the Year: Bakhaw Dioum – “Choix” (Senegal)
- Producer of the Year: Element Eleéh & Mugisha Fred Robinson (Rwanda)
- Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary: Axel Merryl (Benin)
- Best African Video of the Year: Mbosso – “Ova” (Tanzania)
- African Fans’ Favourite: Chella (Nigeria)
- Best African Dance/Choreography: Weeha – “Dimama” (Ethiopia)
- Best African Artiste in African Jazz: Haddinqo (Ethiopia)
- Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music: Milo (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Best Female Artiste in African Inspirational Music: Morijah (Côte d’Ivoire)
Event Context
The 2026 AFRIMA awards served as a powerful reminder of how African music continues to bridge cultural divides and dominate the global stage. From the street-pop energy of Shallipopi to the soulful highlife of Wendy Shay, the ceremony showcased a genre-blurring landscape that reflects the vibrant heritage of the continent.
Source: Africa Publicity
Related Posts:
Ghana’s Wendy Shay Wins Best Female Artiste As Burna Boy, Rema Dominate 9th AFRIMA Awards
Mzbel Claims Biblical ‘Number of the Beast’ is Already Here via the Internet
Seun Kuti Blasts ‘Ignorant’ Wizkid Fans Over Fela Kuti Comparisons
