16 African artistes arrive Lagos ahead of 9th AFRIMA

Lagos State welcomed 16 leading African artistes on Wednesday as the city kicked off the ninth edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA). The week-long event, hosted by the Lagos State government, will run until Sunday, 11 January 2026.

A highlight of the festival is a high-profile concert on Friday, 9 January, featuring performances from some of Africa’s biggest music stars. 

The awards ceremony will close the event on Sunday with a spectacular live broadcast from Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, while Ikeja City hosts the concert.

Speaking at a briefing to mark the event, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said AFRIMA has become “one of the most influential platforms for recognising African musical excellence, promoting cross-cultural collaboration, and boosting Africa’s economy on the global stage.”

She praised the support of partners, including the British High Commission, noting that “partnerships like this reinforce the use of arts and culture as tools for diplomacy and international collaboration.”

Mrs Benson-Awoyinka added that the event would bring together artistes, producers, industry leaders, policymakers, and creative entrepreneurs from across Africa and beyond. She also highlighted the creative sector’s role in employment, tourism, youth empowerment, and promoting Africa globally.

President of AFRIMA, Mike Dada, said Lagos was selected by the African Union to host the awards due to its capacity to showcase African talent. 

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu generously accepted to host this edition on behalf of Lagos State,” Dada stated.

He explained that the platform also seeks to integrate young Africans, create peace, and generate economic benefits from music. 

“Many artistes gain fame but remain impoverished. AFRIMA aims to reverse that trend, ensuring revenues and opportunities stay within Africa,” he said.

Dada stressed that the festival highlights Africa’s creative potential, from music and fashion to digital arts, and aims to increase global visibility for African cities and culture. 

“We broadcast to 24 countries worldwide to promote African talent and destinations,” he added.

The AFRIMA Music Summit, running alongside the awards, will also address taxation, revenue, and investment opportunities in the African creative industry, ensuring that economic benefits from music and culture contribute to sustainable development.