After Cote d’Ivoire, Algeria signals interest to host AFRIMA
By Godwin Okondo
ALGERIA has formally expressed interest in hosting a future edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), marking a significant potential expansion of the African Union Commission-backed Pan-African music platform into North Africa. The development followed a meeting in Abidjan between Algeria’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, His Excellency Mohamed Abdelaziz Bouguetaia and the 9th AFRIMA Best African DJ winner, DJ Moh Green. The award-winning DJ, accompanied by the Associate Producer, AFRIMA, Victoria Nkong, presented his AFRIMA trophy to the ambassador during the visit.
Algeria’s expression of interest came shortly after Côte d’Ivoire had earlier indicated its own readiness to host a future edition of the awards.
Commending the artiste’s continental achievement, Ambassador Bouguetaia said:
“DJ Moh Green has made Algeria proud. He has carried our flag high and demonstrated that Algerian music has a strong voice in Africa and beyond. AFRIMA’s reach across the continent and its influence on youth and cultural policy are impressive. Algeria is open to hosting AFRIMA in the future and ready to explore that possibility.”
In her response, Victoria Nkong described Algeria’s expression of interest as a reflection of AFRIMA’s growing continental relevance.
“AFRIMA was created to unite Africa through music and to project our creative industry as a global economic force. We have witnessed the transformative impact of hosting in countries like Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal. The growing interest from countries across the continent affirms that AFRIMA is not just an awards ceremony, but a Pan-African institution.”
DJ Moh Green described the meeting as emotional and historic for him as an Algerian artiste.
“For me, this is bigger than an award. Presenting my AFRIMA trophy to my country’s ambassador is a proud moment,” he said. “It shows that African music connects governments, creatives and young people. Seeing Algeria show interest in hosting AFRIMA proves that we believe in African music and in our place in the continental conversation.”
Associate Producer, All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, Victoria Nkong; Algeria’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, His Excellency Mohamed Abdelaziz Bouguetaia and 9th AFRIMA Best African DJ winner, DJ Moh Green at meeting with the Algeria’s Ambassador at his office… in Abidjan
With Algeria exploring the possibility of hosting, the move signals continued momentum for Africa’s premier music awards platform as it expands its footprint and strengthens cultural integration across the continent.
In partnership with the African Union since 2014, AFRIMA, the biggest and longest-running awards on the continent, is a cultural property built to unite Africa across geographical, linguistic and cultural lines while showcasing the continent’s creative ingenuity to the world from a position of strength and economic power.
Beyond celebrating musical excellence, AFRIMA serves as a driver of youth empowerment, creative industry growth, tourism and cultural diplomacy.
Previous host countries, including Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal, have demonstrated the awards’ capacity to generate measurable economic and cultural impact, and the platform’s value proposition as a tourism, media and economic catalyst is increasingly evident.
Each AFRIMA Awards Week attracts over 5,000 visitors to the host city, including nominees and past winners, international delegates, government officials, media professionals, global production crews, self-sponsored tourists, and fans. The week-long programme, featuring the Africa Music Business Summit (AMBS), the AFRIMA Music Village, industry networking sessions and parties and the flagship Main Awards ceremony, delivers significant visibility and economic activity to host destinations. The annual awards ceremony is broadcast live to audiences in over 84 countries across the world.
