Nigeria to host AFRIMA 2025 in Lagos as African Union declares ‘Unstoppable Africa’ theme

The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) is set to return to Nigeria in grand fashion, with Lagos State officially named as host city for the prestigious continental event scheduled from November 25 to 30, 2025.

The announcement was made on Thursday, May 15, at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, by the African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the International Committee of AFRIMA.

With the 2025 edition themed “Unstoppable Africa,” the event promises a vibrant celebration of African music, culture, and talent on a global scale.

Lagos hailed as the perfect host

Angela Martins, the AUC’s Director for Social Development, Culture, and Sport, praised Lagos for its consistent excellence in hosting high-profile international events.

“Lagos has the right mix of modern facilities, strong media presence, security and transport systems, and good hospitality that make it ideal for hosting a major global event,” she said.

Lagos previously hosted several successful editions of AFRIMA and has long been regarded as a cultural and entertainment hub, not only in Nigeria but across the continent.

What to expect at AFRIMA 2025

This year’s AFRIMA is poised to be one of the largest in the event’s history, with:

• Over 1,600 nominees across diverse music categories

• More than 2,300 production crew members

• An estimated 60,000 visitors and delegates from within and outside Africa

• Global reach of 400 million viewers, through live broadcasts on 109 TV stations across 84 countries

Entry submissions for artists and stakeholders will open on May 27 and close on August 8, 2025.

A cultural and economic boost

Beyond the spotlight on African music and talent, AFRIMA 2025 is expected to deliver significant economic and tourism benefits to Lagos and Nigeria at large, attracting major international attention and reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership in Africa’s creative economy.

With Lagos gearing up for another historic hosting, music lovers, fans, and industry professionals are bracing for a week-long celebration of sound, style, and African excellence.