The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), in partnership with the African Union (AU), will officially open the entry portal for its 10th edition on October 11, 2026. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place from May 18–23, 2027, in Lagos, Nigeria, according to the International Executive Committee of AFRIMA.
The entry portal will remain open until January 10, 2027, inviting artistes, songwriters, producers, and other music professionals from across Africa and the Diaspora to submit their works for consideration. This call for entries follows the unveiling of the 10th AFRIMA global calendar event held in Los Angeles, United States, on September 20, 2026.
Eligibility and Submission Requirements
AFRIMA is accepting entries across 40 award categories, which include Regional and Continental categories covering Africa's five regions and diverse music genres. Eligible entrants include artistes, songwriters, music producers, video directors, DJs, dancers, choreographers, record labels, music executives, and unrecorded artistes of African origin living on the continent or in the Diaspora.
Only works produced or released between August 10, 2025, and January 10, 2027, will be eligible for consideration. Entries must be submitted digitally through the official AFRIMA website only; submissions sent to any AFRIMA email address or through other platforms will not be accepted.
Applicants must complete the online Entry Registration Form accurately and provide working links to their works. Audio and video submissions should be provided through downloadable or streamable links from platforms such as YouTube or SoundCloud. The submission form is available in English, French, Swahili, Arabic, and Portuguese, with a Spanish translation also accessible.
Record-Breaking Participation and Jury Encouragement
The call for entries follows a record-breaking 10,717 submissions received for the 9th edition, underscoring the growing participation of African music professionals in Africa's global music awards platform.
Speaking on the opening of the entry portal, AFRIMA International Jury member representing Eastern Africa, Lucy Ilado of Kenya, urged eligible music professionals to submit their works and take advantage of the platform's continental and global reach.
“As we open entries for the 10th edition of AFRIMA, I especially encourage upcoming artistes and music professionals to take advantage of this opportunity and submit their work. AFRIMA provides a platform for emerging voices to be discovered alongside established names from across Africa and the Diaspora,” Ilado said.
She added: “I also encourage entrants to take time to understand the different categories and submit their work in the category that best fits it. Beyond the quality of the work itself, it is important to ensure that entries are submitted correctly, with accurate information and working links, so they can be properly considered during the screening and adjudication process.”
Industry Growth and Global Reach
Adam Tiran, a member of the AFRIMA International Jury representing Southern Africa from South Africa, also commented on the entry opening.
“The African music industry is changing rapidly. We are seeing new sounds, new collaborations, and a new generation of artistes and music professionals finding their own space in the industry. AFRIMA gives these voices another opportunity to be heard and recognised,” Tiran said.
He continued: “I encourage music professionals from across the continent and the Diaspora to use this entry window to put forward the work they believe represents where African music is today and where it is going. AFRIMA should continue to be a platform that discovers new talent, recognises excellence, and brings the different regions of Africa closer together through music for greater global expansion and reach.”
Established in 2013 by the International Executive Committee of AFRIMA in partnership with the African Union, AFRIMA has grown into Africa's biggest, most prestigious, and longest-running music awards platform, dedicated to developing, celebrating, and promoting African music, culture, and creative talent globally. AFRIMA's broadcast reaches audiences in more than 84 countries, connecting millions of viewers worldwide.
