The 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2026 delivered a night of major wins for Nigerian artistes, with Rema emerging as one of the biggest stars of the ceremony.

The 24-year-old singer won three top awards—Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, Artiste of the Year, and Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African RnB/Soul for his global hit “Calm Down.”

Afrobeats heavyweight Burna Boy also claimed a major honour, winning Album of the Year for “No Sign of Weakness.”

Singer and songwriter Yemi Alade secured the award for Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary for “You Are” from Iyanu: The Animated Series.

Fast-rising Nigerian star Shallipopi made a strong showing, winning Song of the Year for “Laho” and Best African Collaboration alongside Burna Boy. Veteran rapper Phyno clinched Best African Artiste in African Hip-Hop.

The awards ceremony, held at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together leading African artistes and industry figures, celebrating the continent’s musical diversity and cultural heritage.

Other notable winners included Jux of Tanzania, who won Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa, and Cindy Le Coeur of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who emerged Best Female Artiste in Central Africa.

AFRIMA 2026 marked the third time Lagos hosted the awards, following previous editions held in Ghana and Senegal.

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FULL LIST OF AFRIMA 2026 WINNERS (SELECTED CATEGORIES)

Best Male Artiste in Central Africa

Winner: Singuila (The Congo)

Best Female Artiste in Central Africa

Winner: Cindy Le Coeur (DRC)

Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa

Winner: Jux (Tanzania)

Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa

Winner: Denise (Madagascar)

Best Female Artiste in Northern Africa

Winner: Sherine (Egypt)

Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa

Winner: Yo Maps (Zambia)

Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa

Winner: Nontokozo Mkhize (South Africa)

Best Male Artiste in Western Africa

Winner: Rema (Nigeria)

Best Female Artiste in Western Africa

Winner: Wendy Shay (Ghana)

Best African Inspirational Music (Male)

Winner: Milo (Côte d’Ivoire)

Best African Inspirational Music (Female)

Winner: Morijah (Côte d’Ivoire)

Best African Jazz Artiste/Duo/Group

Winner: Haddinqo (Ethiopia)

Best Contemporary African Artiste

Winner: Axel Merryl (Benin)

Best Soundtrack in Movie, Series or Documentary

Winner: You Are – Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

Songwriter of the Year

Winner: Bakhaw Dioum – Choix (Senegal)

African Fans’ Favourite

Winner: Chella (Nigeria)

Best African DJ

Winner: DJ Moh Green (Algeria)

Producer of the Year

Winners: Element Eleéh & Mugisha Fred Robinson (Rwanda)

Album of the Year

Winner: No Sign of Weakness – Burna Boy (Nigeria)

Best African Video of the Year

Winner: Ova – Mbosso (Tanzania)

Song of the Year

Winner: Laho – Shallipopi (Nigeria)

Best African Collaboration

Winner: Shallipopi ft. Burna Boy – Laho

Most Promising Artiste of the Year

Winner: Qing Madi, Valorant (Nigeria)

Artiste of the Year

Winner: Rema (Nigeria)

Breakout Artiste of the Year

Winner: Ciza (South Africa)

Best African Lyricist Rapper

Winner: Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire)

Best African Hip-Hop Artiste

Winner: Phyno (Nigeria)

Best African RnB & Soul Artiste

Winner: Rema (Nigeria)

Best African Duo, Group or Band

Winner: Team Paiya (Côte d’Ivoire)