August 08, (THEWILL) — The countdown begins as the International Jury for the 2025 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) arrives in Lagos to begin the week-long review process.
From August 8 to 16, the panel will examine thousands of submissions from artists, producers, and creatives across Africa and the diaspora, and the official nominees’ list will be announced on August 24 after this process.
AFRIMA organisers have confirmed that no late entries will be accepted as the deadline for submission remains Friday, August 8.
This year’s edition, themed “Unstoppable Africa,” continues its partnership with the African Union, the Nigerian government, and Lagos State, celebrating musical excellence across more than 40 categories, showcasing talent from all regions and genres.
Hadja Kobele, representing the African Diaspora (North America), emphasised the jury’s commitment to a fair selection process.
“We take this job very seriously. Each entry submitted, whether it comes from a household name or an emerging voice, will be assessed strictly on merit. Our criteria are clear: musical quality, originality, impact, and cultural relevance. AFRIMA isn’t about industry politics or social media popularity; it’s about honouring the music, the message, and the creators behind it.” Kobele stated
“The whole continent is watching, and we have to ensure that only the most deserving talents and works are nominated. This is a celebration of African excellence, and we are committed to making sure that the process remains fair, credible, and free of bias. No shortcuts, no sentiment, just pure, honest work in service of African music.” She continued
The 13-member jury, comprising industry leaders from across the continent, expands with three notable additions this year: Marwane Fachane from Morocco (North Africa), Lucy Ilado from Kenya (East Africa), and Messie Mboukou from Congo Brazzaville (Central Africa) – each bringing fresh perspectives to the selection process.
Public voting will open on September 5 through the official AFRIMA website, with PricewaterhouseCoopers auditing all results for transparency.
The awards ceremony, set for November 30 in Lagos, will feature a week of events including the Africa Music Business Summit and Music Village Concert. The show will be broadcast live in over 84 countries worldwide.
With preparations in full swing, AFRIMA 2025 promises to deliver another spectacular celebration of Africa’s vibrant music scene.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
