The African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), has officially announced Lagos, Nigeria, as the host city for AFRIMA 2025. The global celebration of African music and culture will be held from November 25 to 30, 2025, under the theme “Unstoppable Africa.”
The announcement was made during a high-level event held on Tuesday, May 13, at the AUC headquarters in Addis Ababa, where the 2025 AFRIMA calendar was also unveiled. The landmark decision marks Lagos’ continued recognition as a hub of creativity, innovation, and cultural excellence in Africa’s music industry.
Angela Martins, Director for Social Development, Culture and Sport at the AUC, commended Lagos for its consistent excellence in hosting major cultural events.
“Lagos truly reflects the spirit of African music – full of rhythm, creativity, and vibrant energy,” she said. “Its modern infrastructure, strong media presence, and hospitality ecosystem make it a perfect choice for AFRIMA 2025.”
Also present was Jannet Hadadi, a leading music distribution expert from Morocco, who co-announced the host city.
AFRIMA 2025 is expected to attract over 60,000 visitors and delegates, 1,600 nominees and teams, and 2,300 production crew members, with an estimated audience of 400 million viewers through live global broadcasts.
Key Dates and Activities
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Entry Submissions: May 27 – August 8, 2025, via www.afrima.org
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Adjudication Process: August 12 – 19
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Nominee Announcement (World Media Conference): August 27
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Public Voting Window: September 5 – November 28
#RoadToAFRIMA2025 Global Tour
The continental roadshow will begin in Morocco, moving through Tanzania, Paris, Côte d’Ivoire, and London, before returning to Delta State, Nigeria, and concluding in Namibia (Oct 31 – Nov 1).
Awards Week Highlights (Nov 25–30)
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Diamond Showcase: Nov 25–27
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Opening Soirée: Nov 26
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Africa Music Business Summit: Nov 27–28
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Music Icons’ Night: Nov 27
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Music Village/Festival, Host City Tour & Reception: Nov 28
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Nominees & Industry Party: Nov 29
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Main Awards Ceremony: Nov 30
AFRIMA 2025 will be broadcast live on 109 stations across 84 countries, spotlighting Africa’s rich musical tapestry and promoting cross-continental collaboration and visibility for African artists.
The 2025 AFRIMA Music Conference also featured in-depth panel sessions on the future of African music, industry monetization, intellectual property, digital innovation, and sustainable global partnerships.
As preparations begin, AFRIMA 2025 promises to be one of the largest and most impactful editions yet—further cementing Lagos’ place as a cultural powerhouse on the continent.
