Rema has been named Artiste of the Year at the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), held on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. The ceremony drew attendance from artists, executives, policymakers, and cultural stakeholders from across Africa, reflecting the scale of the awards within the continent’s music ecosystem.
The 2026 ceremony was organised by the Executive Committee of AFRIMA in collaboration with the African Union, with the Lagos State Government serving as the official Host City for the ninth edition of Africa’s global music awards.
AFRIMA’s Role in African Music
Since its inception in 2014, AFRIMA has grown into one of the continent’s most prominent music award platforms. Beyond trophies, the event has consistently aimed to document African music’s evolution, encourage cross-border collaboration, and provide a stage where artists from different regions are recognised under a shared cultural umbrella. Each annual edition reflects musical trends while shifting the reach of African sound on a global scale.
For many artists, an AFRIMA nomination often signals recognition across borders rather than within a single market. It represents continental acknowledgment, especially for musicians whose work travels across language and regional boundaries. The awards also serve as a meeting point where Africa’s music industry aligns itself with global conversations while remaining rooted in local identity.
Rema’s Year and the Artiste of the Year Win
Rema’s Artiste of the Year win comes after a period marked by sustained global presence, touring, and consistent engagement across streaming platforms. Over the past year, his catalogue continued to perform strongly worldwide, while his sound remained influential within Afrobeats and beyond. The recognition at AFRIMA places him alongside a growing list of artists whose work has defined African music in their respective eras.
The award also reflects Rema’s ability to maintain relevance across different audiences, from core African listeners to international markets, reinforcing his position as one of the continent’s leading contemporary voices.
Wins Across Regions and Categories
Beyond the headline awards, the night reflected the breadth of talent across the continent. Ivorian rapper Didi B picked up Best African Lyricist or Rapper, marking a strong showing for Francophone hip-hop, while Ciza from South Africa claimed Breakout Artiste of the Year, signalling his growing presence beyond his home market.
Behind the scenes, Burna Boy took home the Album of the Year award for his latest work No Sign of Weakness. Element Eleéh and Mugisha Fred Robinson from Rwanda were recognised as Producers of the Year, while Senegal’s Bakhaw Dioum earned Songwriter of the Year for his work. Fan engagement also had its moment, with Nigeria’s Chella taking home African Fans’ Favourite. Nigeria’s Yemi Alade added to the night’s highlights with a win for Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary for You Are, from the animated series Iyanu, showing the continued crossover between African music and visual storytelling.
Regional categories further underlined AFRIMA’s continental spread. Singuila and Cindy Le Coeur emerged as Best Male and Female Artistes in Central Africa, while Denise was named Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa. In Northern Africa, Adviser from Mauritania and Egypt’s Sherine took the male and female honours respectively. Southern Africa saw Yo Maps and Nontokozo Mkhize top their categories, while Wendy Shay was recognised as Best Female Artiste in Western Africa.
A Continental Moment
Hosting the ninth edition in Lagos added another layer of significance, given the city’s role as a major hub for African music and culture. With government backing and industry participation, the event reaffirmed AFRIMA’s position as a platform where African music is both celebrated and documented for future generations.
Rather than signaling a turning point, the AFRIMA moment affirms what’s already clear: his reach, his impact, and the stature he holds across the African music landscape.
