AFRIMA 2025 Adjudication Kicks Off as 13-Member Jury Meets in Lagos
The stage is set: the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2025 is entering a pivotal phase. On August 8, a diverse panel of 13 international jury members landed in Lagos to begin a concentrated, week-long adjudication process. Their mission? To sift through thousands of entries, from songs and albums to music videos, submitted by artists, songwriters, producers, video directors, DJs, dancers, choreographers, record labels, and even unsigned talents from across Africa and its diaspora.
This adjudication stage, which wraps up on August 16, will narrow down contenders and determine the official AFRIMA 2025 nominees.
The organizers have confirmed that no late entries will be accepted, as the submission deadline officially closed on August 8.
Under this year’s vibrant theme, “Unstoppable Africa,” AFRIMA continues to honor the continent’s rich musical heritage—spanning over 40 categories and spotlighting talent from every region and genre.
Hadja Kobele, representing the African diaspora in North America, spoke on behalf of the panel on their commitment to integrity. “Every submission, whether from a household name or a rising star, will be judged strictly on its own merit,” she said. “Our focus is on musical quality, originality, impact, and cultural relevance. This isn’t about popularity or politics, it’s about celebrating the art, the message, and the creators.”
She continued, “The continent is watching. Our goal is to ensure the most deserving talents receive recognition. It’s a celebration of African excellence—with no shortcuts and no sentimentality, just honest dedication to the music.”
Looking ahead, the nominees will be revealed on August 24, which will mark the beginning of the public and academy voting period.