As part of its Yuletide activities, FirstBank sponsored the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), concluding its DecemberIssaVybe campaign.

The week-long event, held in Lagos from January 7 to 11, 2026, brought together artistes, delegates and music industry stakeholders from at least 48 African countries, reaffirming AFRIMA’s status as Africa’s leading music awards platform. Artists from West, East, North, Central and Southern Africa, as well as the diaspora, were recognised across several categories, reflecting the diversity of African music.

As part of the programme, the AFRIMA Music Business Summit attracted key industry players, including the Chief Executive Officer of Universal Music South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, Sipho Dlamini, and Karima Damir of Universal Music Morocco. Other participants included Francis Doku, Mustapha Ettouil, Georg Heritlitz and Olisa Adibua, alongside prominent artistes such as Koffi Olomide, ID Cabassa, Innoss’B, Juma Jux, Stonebwoy and Didi B.


The celebrations continued on January 9 with the AFRIMA Music Village at Ikeja City Mall, which drew a large crowd of music lovers. Performances at the event featured Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti, as well as Wande Coal, Diamond Platnumz, Yemi Alade, Stonebwoy, Innoss’B, Kcee, 9ice, Obesere, Jeriq, Skales, Moliy, Mavo and Ayuba.

The main awards ceremony was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites Convention Centre. Activities began with a red-carpet session at 3:30pm, hosted by social media influencer Enioluwa, while the main ceremony commenced at 7pm. Nigerian rapper FalzTheBahdGuy and French-Senegalese actress and media personality Liliane Maroune hosted the event. The ceremony also featured performances by Mr P, Seyi Vibez, Bright Chimezie and Fuse ODG, as well as tributes to late African music legends.

Speaking at the event, the Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, Olayinka Ijabiyi, said the bank’s sponsorship of AFRIMA reflects its long-standing commitment to promoting African arts, culture and entertainment. He said the DecemberIssaVybe campaign was designed to deepen customer engagement through music while supporting creatives across the continent.


The awards recognised excellence across multiple categories. Burna Boy won Album of the Year for No Sign of Weakness, while Rema emerged Artiste of the Year. Chella clinched African Fans’ Favourite, Folex won Best African Video of the Year, and Qing Madi was named Most Promising Artiste of the Year. Other winners included Phyno, Takana Zion, Didi B, Moh Green, Team Paiya, Veronica Adane, Morijah and Milo.

The 9th AFRIMA celebrated African musical excellence while promoting unity, cultural pride and the growing global influence of the continent’s creative industry.

Here is a full list of winners


Album of the Year: Burna Boy – “No Sign of Weakness” (Winner, Nigeria)

Artiste of the Year: Rema (Winner, Nigeria)

African Fans’ Favourite: Chella (Winner, Nigeria)


Best African Video of the Year: Folex (Winner, Tanzania)

Song of the Year: “Laho” by Shalipoppi (Winner, Nigeria)

Most Promising Artiste of the Year: Qing Madi (Winner, Nigeria)


Producer of the Year: Element Eleéh & Mugisha Fred Robinson (Winner, Rwanda)

Songwriter of the Year: Bakhaw Dioum for “Choix” (Mia Guissé ft. Wally B. Seck) (Winner, Senegal)

Best African Artiste in African Contemporary: Axel Merryl (Winner, Benin)


Best African Artiste in Reggae, Ragga, Dancehall: Takana Zion (Winner, Guinea)

Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hip Hop: Phyno (Winner, Nigeria)

Best African Artiste Duo or Group in African Jazz: Haddinqo (Winner, Ethiopia)


-Best African Artiste Duo or Group in African Pop: Manamba Kante (Winner, Guinea)

Best African Artiste Duo or Group in African RnB/Soul: Rema for “Baby Is It A Crime” (Winner, Nigeria)

Best African Artiste Duo or Group in African Rock: Izlan (Winner, Algeria)


Best African Collaboration:Shallipopi feat. Burna Boy (Winner)

Best African Dance/Choreography:Weeha for “Dimama” (Winner, Ethiopia)

Best African DJ: Moh Green (Winner, Algeria)


Best African Duo Group/Band: Team Paiya (Winner, Côte d’Ivoire)

Best African Lyricist/Rapper: Didi B (Winner, Côte d’Ivoire)

Best African Duo or Group in African Traditional: Veronica Adane (Winner, Ethiopia)


Best Female Artiste in African Inspirational Music: Morijah (Winner, Côte d’Ivoire)

Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music: Milo (Winner, Côte d’Ivoire)