The African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) has unveiled the nominees for its 2026 edition, signaling the return of the awards after a two-year break.
The awards ceremony, which honours exceptional African artists, songs, performances, creative achievements and the global impact of African music, last took place in 2023.
AFRIMMA founder Anderson Obiagwu announced the nominees in an Instagram post on Wednesday, explaining that the hiatus was intended to enhance the event. He promised that this year’s edition would be “epic, better and one of a kind.”
Obiagwu also disclosed that the 2026 edition will feature AFRIMMA’s inaugural music festival in Dallas, Texas, alongside food and fashion exhibitions.
“For the last two years, AFRIMMA took a break to make it even bigger and create something sensational. AFRIMMA is coming back bigger and better this year. It’s going to be epic, one of a kind,” he said.
“This year, we’re adding a music festival, the biggest ever in Dallas. There will be several food vendors, fashion vendors, as well as some of the biggest dancers and musicians from different parts of Africa.”
Davido leads nominees with five nods
Among the nominees, Nigerian singer Davido emerged as the frontrunner with five nominations across major categories, including ‘Best Male West Africa,’ ‘Crossing Boundaries With Music Award,’ ‘Artist of the Year,’ and ‘AFRIMMA Album of the Year’.
His collaboration with Omah Lay — ‘With You’ — also earned nominations for ‘Best Collaboration and Song of the Year’.
He was followed by Burna Boy, Tanzanian singer Diamond Platnumz, and Ghanaian singer Black Sherif, who each received four nominations.
Among the female nominees, South Africa’s Tyla earned three nominations, while Tems received two.
Peller, Carter Efe, Nasty Black, and Sabinus will also compete in the ‘Best Influencer’ category, while Timini Egbuson, Uzor Arukwe, Bimbo Ademoye, and Uche Montana are among the nominees for ‘Best Actor’.
The awards ceremony and music festival will take place on September 12, 2026, at Annette Strauss Square in Dallas, Texas.
Here is the full list:
- Davido (Nigeria)
- Black Sherif (Ghana)
- BNXN (Nigeria)
- Rema (Nigeria)
- Asake (Nigeria)
- Didi B (Ivory Coast)
- Djodje (Cape Verde)
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Wizkid (Nigeria)
- Ruger (Nigeria)
- Dino Santiago (Cape Verde)
2. Best Female West Africa
- Hadzi Vodushi (Ghana)
- Tems (Nigeria)
- Josey (Ivory Coast)
- Viviane Chidid (Senegal)
- Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- Moliy (Ghana)
- Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
- Mariam Ba Lagare (Mali)
- Teni (Nigeria)
- Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
3. Best Male East Africa
- Lij Michael (Ethiopia)
- Marioo (Tanzania)
- Eddy Kenzo (Uganda)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Juma Jux (Tanzania)
- Bien (Kenya)
- Mbosso (Tanzania)
- Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
- Single Dee (South Sudan)
- Barnaba (Tanzania)
4. Best Female East Africa
- Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
- Veronica Adane (Ethiopia)
- Bridget Blue (Kenya)
- Zuchu (Tanzania)
- Nikita Kering (Kenya)
- Ariel Wayz (Rwanda)
- Njerae (Kenya)
- Winnie Nwagi (Uganda)
- Salemia (Ethiopia)
5. Best Male Central Africa
- Matias Damásio (Angola)
- Dadju (DR Congo)
- TayC (Cameroon)
- Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)
- Calema (São Tomé & Príncipe)
- Gims (DR Congo)
- Gerilson Israel (Angola)
- Ko-C (Cameroon)
6. Best Female Central Africa
- Anna Joyce (Angola)
- Rebo (DR Congo)
- Krys M (Cameroon)
- Blanche Bailly (Cameroon)
- Cindy Le Coeur (DR Congo)
- Espoir La Tigresse (Gabon)
- Jessy B (Republic of the Congo)
- Emma’a (Gabon)
7. Best Male Southern Africa
- Scott Maphuma (South Africa)
- Nutty O (Zimbabwe)
- Yo Maps (Zambia)
- DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)
- Zeze Kingston (Malawi)
- Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
- William Last KRM (Botswana)
- Kabza De Small (South Africa)
8. Best Female Southern Africa
- Mawhoo (South Africa)
- Tamy Moyo (Zimbabwe)
- Charma Gal (Botswana)
- Babalwa M (South Africa)
- Hanna (Zimbabwe)
- Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
- Bombshell Grenade (Zambia)
- Makhadzi (South Africa)
- Tyla (South Africa)
9. Best Male North Africa
- Wegz (Egypt)
- Stormy (Morocco)
- Adviser (Mauritania)
- Amr Diab (Egypt)
- Marwan Moussa (Egypt)
- ElGrandeToto (Morocco)
- DJ Snake (Algeria)
- Cheb Momo (Algeria)
10. Best Female North Africa
- Marwa Loud (Morocco)
- Chirine Lajmi (Tunisia)
- Manal (Morocco)
- Souhila Ben Lachhab (Algeria)
- Sherine (Egypt)
- Latifa (Tunisia)
- Kenza Morsli (Algeria)
- Zina Daoudia (Morocco)
11. Crossing Boundaries with Music Award
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Aya Nakamura (Mali)
- Rema (Nigeria)
- Davido (Nigeria)
- Toby Nwigwe (Nigeria)
- Flavour (Nigeria)
- Wizkid (Nigeria)
- Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)
- Odeal (Nigeria)
12. Best Newcomer
- Lisandro Cuxi (Cape Verde)
- Mavo (Nigeria)
- Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
- 6uff (Nigeria)
- Lava Lava (Tanzania)
- Florito (Angola)
- Toxic Lyrikali (Kenya)
- Fola (Nigeria)
13. Artist of the Year
- Asake (Nigeria)
- Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Rema (Nigeria)
- Tyla (South Africa)
- Tems (Nigeria)
- Davido (Nigeria)
- Bien (Kenya)
14. Best Gospel
- Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
- Prosper Germoh (Cameroon)
- Christina Shusho (Tanzania)
- Miguel Buila (Angola)
- Bidemi Olaoba (Nigeria)
- Deborah Lukalu (DR Congo)
- Joel Lwaga (Tanzania)
- Moïse Mbiye (DR Congo)
- Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye (Nigeria)
15. Best Female Rap Act
- Rosa Ree (Tanzania)
- Eno Barony (Ghana)
- Bombshell Grenade (Zambia)
- Freda Rhymz (Ghana)
- Moozlie (South Africa)
- Ssaru (Kenya)
- Ami Yerewolo (Mali)
- Candy Bleakz (Nigeria)
16. Best Male Rap Act
- Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
- Jeriq (Nigeria)
- Ninho (DR Congo)
- Black Sherif (Ghana)
- A-Reece (South Africa)
- 6uff (Nigeria)
- Blxckie (South Africa)
- Yung Lunya (Tanzania)
- Phyno (Nigeria)
- Himra (Ivory Coast)
17. Best Collaboration
- Bien & Alikiba — Finale
- BNXN & Sarz — Back Outside
- Davido & Omah Lay — With You
- Diamond Platnumz ft. Juma Jux — Joy
- Patoranking ft. Ruger — Shake That
- Fally Ipupa ft. Wizkid — Jam
- Jazzworx & Tukuthela — Bengicela
- Flavour ft. Baaba Maal — Afroculture
- Marvais Djo ft. Kano Choir — Pile
18. Song of the Year
- Davido ft. Omah Lay — With You
- BNXN & Sarz — Back Outside
- Bien & Alikiba — Finale
- Diamond Platnumz ft. Juma Jux — Joy
- Moliy ft. Shenseea & Skillibeng — Shake It to the Max
- Black Sherif — So It Goes
- Ciza — Isaka (6AM)
- Young Jonn — Elumelu
- DopeNation — Kakalika
- Marvais Djo ft. Kano Choir — Pile
- DJ Kedjevara — Ça Fait Mal
19. Best Video Director
- Hanscana (Tanzania)
- Director Pink (Nigeria)
- Elias Belkader (Algeria)
- Mateo Da Silva (Cameroon)
- TG Omori (Nigeria)
- Babs Direction (Ghana)
- Jake Zaral (Zimbabwe)
- Dammy Twitch (Nigeria)
20. Best DJ Africa
- DJ Spinall (Nigeria)
- DJ Dollar (Senegal)
- Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
- DJ Obi (Nigeria)
- DJ Tunez (Nigeria)
- DJ Sly King (Ghana)
- DJ Commissioner Wysei (Nigeria)
- DJ Nelasta (Angola)
- Major League DJs (South Africa)
- DJ Kaywise (Nigeria)
- DJ Dope Caesar (Nigeria)
- DJ Moh (Kenya)
21. Best African DJ USA
- DJ Kuncept (Nigeria)
- DJ Akua (Ghana)
- DJ Prince (Nigeria)
- DJ Bode (Nigeria)
- DJ Chelsea (Canada)
- DJ Shinski (Kenya)
- DJ Birame BB L’amour (Ivory Coast)
- DJ Oreo (Nigeria)
- Lex and Answer (Zimbabwe)
- DJ Nani (Nigeria)
22. Music Producer of the Year
- Masterkraft (Nigeria)
- Andre Vibez (Nigeria)
- 207 (Uganda)
- Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
- Magicsticks (Nigeria)
- MOG Beatz (Ghana)
- Xduppy (South Africa)
- London (Nigeria)
23. Best African Dancer
- Masaka Dance Kids (Uganda)
- Incredible Zigi (Ghana)
- Poco Lee (Nigeria)
- Ghetto Kids (Uganda)
- Angel Nyigu (Tanzania)
- Hope Ramafalo (South Africa)
- Wet Bad Gang (Angola)
- Dancegod Lloyd (Ghana)
- Hooliboy (Ghana)
24. Best Male Reggae/Dancehall
- Valiant (Jamaica)
- Mr. Killa (Grenada)
- Patoranking (Nigeria)
- Shatta Wale (Ghana)
- Skillibeng (Jamaica)
- Vybz Kartel (Jamaica)
- Popcaan (Jamaica)
- Kranium (Jamaica)
25. Best Female Reggae/Dancehall
- Shenseea (Jamaica)
- Jada Kingdom (Jamaica)
- Moliy (Ghana)
- Spice (Jamaica)
- Koffee (Jamaica)
- Lila Iké (Jamaica)
- Shaneil Muir (Jamaica)
- Vanessa Bling (Jamaica)
26. Best African Group
- Disco Misr (Egypt)
- Calema (São Tomé & Príncipe)
- Show Dem Camp (Nigeria)
- Toofan (Togo)
- DopeNation (Ghana)
- Team Paiya (Ivory Coast)
- Mi Casa (South Africa)
- Bracket (Nigeria)
27. AFRIMMA Album of the Year
- Black Sherif — Top of The Morning Era
- Omah Lay — Clarity of Mind
- Asake — M$NEY
- Tyla — A-Pop
- Burna Boy — No Sign of Weakness
- Lloyiso — Never Thought I Could
- Davido — 5ive
- Leigh-Anne — My Ego Told Me To
- Himra — SORRY I’M BAD
28. Best African USA Based Artist
- Kwate (Nigeria)
- Bills (Nigeria)
- Mannywellz (Nigeria)
- Moses Sumney (Ghana)
- Libianca (Cameroon)
- Palmwine Tappers Band (Nigeria)
- Detty K (Ivory Coast)
- J Pako (DR Congo)
- Emma Nyra (Nigeria)
29. AFRIMMA Timeless Impact Award
- Timaya (Nigeria)
- Amr Diab (Egypt)
- Sarkodie (Ghana)
- Nameless (Kenya)
- Oskido (South Africa)
- Kcee (Nigeria)
- Slap Dee (Zambia)
- Bebe Cool (Uganda)
- Flavour (Nigeria)
- Mafikizolo (South Africa)
30. African Athlete of the Year
- Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
- Serhou Guirassy (Guinea)
- Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
- Pascal Siakam (Cameroon)
- Faith Kipyegon (Kenya)
- Nnamdi Madubuike (Nigeria)
31. Best Influencer
- Peller (Nigeria)
- Carter Efe (Nigeria)
- Khaby Lame (Senegal)
- Nasty Black (Nigeria)
- Lasizwe Dambuza (South Africa)
- Ilyas El Maliki (Morocco)
- Crazy Kennar (Kenya)
- Sabinus (Nigeria)
32. Best Actor/Actress
- Timini Egbuson (Nigeria)
- Uzor Arukwe (Nigeria)
- Bimbo Ademoye (Nigeria)
- Uche Montana (Nigeria)
- Elizabeth Michael “Lulu” (Tanzania)
- Zander Adika (Kenya)
- Pallance Dladla (South Africa)
- Masali Baduza (South Africa)
33. Best Comedian
- Basketmouth (Nigeria)
- Bovi (Nigeria)
- Warri Pikin (Nigeria)
- Eric Omondi (Kenya)
- Trevor Noah (South Africa)
- Godfrey (Nigeria)
- Patrick “Salvado” Idringi (Uganda)
- Ty Ngachira (Kenya)
34. Best Hypeman/MC
- Big Smart (Nigeria)
- Shody (Nigeria)
- Ogee The MC (Ghana)
- MC Wild (Kenya)
- Robot Boii (South Africa)
- Balaa MC (Tanzania)
- MC Mignon (DR Congo)
- Do2dtun (Nigeria)
35. Community Impact Award
- Ester Mathew Tonlagha Foundation (Nigeria)
- Noella Foundation (Nigeria)
- FAWE – Forum for African Women Educationalists (Kenya)
- Educate! (Uganda)
- IkamvaYouth (South Africa)
- Street Child (Sierra Leone)
- Tony Elumelu Foundation (Nigeria)
