Rema beats Davido, Burna Boy, Tyla, DJ Maphorisa, Amr Diab, Shallipopi to win Artiste of the Year at 9th AFRIMA

* …as AU commends Lago Govt, Gov. Sanwo-Olu

By Godwin Okondo

NIGERIA’S Afrobeats star, Rema, stole the show at the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) after beating heavyweights Davido, Amr Diab of Egypt, Burna Boy, South African superstars, DJ Maphorisa and Tyla to win the prestigious Artiste of the Year award. The star-studded ceremony held at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos on Sunday, January 11, 2026, was organised by the Executive Committee of AFRIMA in conjunction with the African Union and the immense support of Lagos State Government, which served as the official Host City of Africa’s global music awards.

The well-attended event was a culmination of week-long activities which began with the Welcome Soiree hosted by the British High Commission on Wednesday, January 7, and followed by the Africa Music Business Summit on January 8. Ikeja City Mall, Alausa, was a beehive of activities on January 9, as more than 20,000 people thronged the venue for the AFRIMA Music Village before a highly successful Award ceremony on Sunday.

Speaking at the ceremony, Head of Culture Division at the African Union Commission, Angela Martins, said, “On behalf of the African Union Commission, I sincerely appreciate the Lagos State Government and, in particular, His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for the immense support given to the 9th AFRIMA. This partnership has demonstrated what is possible when government, continental institutions, and creative platforms collaborate. Our collaboration with AFRIMA has not only strengthened unity across Africa, but it has also elevated our culture, amplified African creativity and showcased Lagos as a true cultural capital of the continent.”

Rema’s victory in the top category crowned an exceptional year for the singer, and beyond the biggest prize of the night, he also won Best Male Artiste in Western Africa and Best African Artiste in African RnB & Soul. Tanzania’s Juma Jux, Nigeria’s fast-rising star Shallipopi, as well as established acts Burna Boy and Yemi Alade, also recorded notable wins.

Juma Jux was named Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa, beating other top names from the region. He further celebrated success in the technical categories, as Ololufe, his collaboration with Diamond Platnumz, won Best African Video of the Year.

Street-pop sensation Shallipopi continued his impressive rise with two important awards. His hit song Laho won Song of the Year, one of the night’s most competitive categories. The remix of the song, featuring Burna Boy, also earned him Best African Collaboration, highlighting the song’s widespread appeal across the continent.

Although he missed out on the top individual prize, Burna Boy still made a strong statement. His album, No Sign of Weakness, was named Album of the Year. Ivorian lyricist, Didi B, also made a strong statement on the night with the Best African Lyricist or Rapper Award, just as Ciza from South Africa walked away with the Breakout Artiste of the Year award.

Weeha

Other highlights included Rwanda’s Element Eleéh and Mugisha Fred Robinson winning Producer of the Year, Senegal’s Bakhaw Dioum taking Songwriter of the Year, and Nigeria’s Chella winning African Fans’ Favourite. Yemi Alade of Nigeria was also among the winners, taking home Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary for her song You Are from the animated series Iyanu.

Winners in other Regional categories are Singuila who won Best Male Artiste in Central Africa, while Cindy Le Coeur emerged as Best Female Artiste in Central Africa. Denise claimed Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa, while Adviser (Mauritania) and Sherine of Egypt won the male and female awards in Northern Africa.

In Southern Africa, Yo Maps and Nontokozo Mkhize topped the male and female categories, while Wendy Shay emerged as Best Female Artiste in Western Africa.

The regional category winners include Best Male Artist in Central Africa was won by Singuila (The Congo); Best Female Artiste in Central Africa was awarded to Cindy Le Coeur (DRC), Jux (Tanzania) won Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa, Denise (Madagascar) won Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa, Adviser (Mauritania) won Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa, Sherine (Egypt) won Best Female Artiste in Northern Africa, Yo Maps (Zambia) won Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa, Nontokozo Mkhize (South Africa) won Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa, Rema (Nigeria) won Best Male Artiste in Western Africa and Wendy Shay (Ghana) won Best Female Artiste in Western Africa.

The continental category winners include Milo (Côte d’Ivoire) who won Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music, Morijah (Côte d’Ivoire) won Best Female Artiste in African Inspirational Music, Haddinqo (Ethiopia) won Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Jazz, Manamba Kanté (Guinea) won Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Pop, Axel Merryl (Benin) won Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary, You Are (Iyanu: The Animated Series) – Yemi Alade (Nigeria) won Best Soundtrack in Movie, Series, or Documentary, Bakhaw Dioum – “Choix” (Mia Guissé ft. Wally B. Seck) (Senegal) won Songwriter of the Year, Chella (Nigeria) won African Fans’ Favourite, Element Eleéh & Mugisha Fred Robinson (Rwanda) won Producer of the Year, No Sign of Weakness – Burna Boy (Nigeria) won Album of the Year, “Ololufe” – Juma Jux & Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) won Best African Video of the Year, “Laho” – Shallipopi (Nigeria) won Song of the Year, Weeha – “Dimama” (Ethiopia) won Best African Dance/Choreography, Takana Zion – “On My Eyes” (Guinea) won Best African Act Reggae, Ragga & Dancehall, Izlan – “Amezyan” (Algeria) won Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Rock, Veronica Adane – “Kante Lela” (Ethiopia) won Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Traditional and Shallipopi ft. Burna Boy – “Laho” (Nigeria) won Best African Collaboration.

Other winners are Qing Madi, Valorant (Nigeria) who won the Most Promising Artiste of the Year, Rema (Nigeria) won Artiste of the Year, Ciza (South Africa) won Breakout Artiste of the Year, Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire) won Best African Lyricist Rapper, Phyno (Nigeria) won Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hiphop, Rema (Nigeria) won Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African RnB & Soul and Team Paiya (Côte d’Ivoire) won Best African Duo, Group or Band.