Nigerian music heavyweights Rema and Burna Boy stole the spotlight at the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA 2026), held Sunday night in Lagos.
Rema emerged as the biggest winner of the night, carting home three major awards, including Artiste of the Year.
The Calm Down crooner won:
- Best Male Artiste in Western Africa
- Artiste of the Year
- Best African RnB/Soul Artiste (Duo or Group) for Calm Down
He edged out Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid and Asake in the highly competitive categories.
Burna Boy also made a strong statement, winning Album of the Year for No Sign of Weakness.
Other Nigerian winners included:
- Yemi Alade, who clinched Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary for You Are from Iyanu: The Animated Series
- Shallipopi, who won Song of the Year with Laho and also claimed Best African Collaboration alongside Burna Boy
- Phyno, crowned Best African Artiste in African Hip-Hop
- Chella, who won African Fans’ Favourite
Outside Nigeria, Tanzania’s Jux won Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa, while Cindy Le Coeur of DR Congo emerged Best Female Artiste in Central Africa.
The ceremony, held at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, featured performances from top African acts and celebrated the continent’s musical diversity.
Lagos hosted AFRIMA for the third time, after previous editions in Ghana and Senegal.
See full list of winners below.
Best Male Artiste in Central Africa
• Singuila (The Congo)
Best Female Artiste in Central Africa
• Cindy Le Coeur (DRC)
Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa
• Jux (Tanzania)
Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa
• Denise (Madagascar)
Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa
• Not awarded
Best Female Artiste in Northern Africa
• Sherine (Egypt)
Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa
• Yo Maps (Zambia)
Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa
• Nontokozo Mkhize (South Africa)
Best Male Artiste in Western Africa
• Rema (Nigeria)
Best Female Artiste in Western Africa
• Wendy Shay (Ghana)
CONTINENTAL CATEGORIES
Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music
• Milo (Côte d’Ivoire)
Best Female Artiste in African Inspirational Music
• Morijah (Côte d’Ivoire)
Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Jazz
• Haddinqo (Ethiopia)
Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary
• Axel Merryl (Benin)
Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary
• You Are – Yemi Alade (Iyanu: The Animated Series, Nigeria)
Songwriter of the Year
• Bakhaw Dioum – “Choix” (Senegal)
African Fans’ Favourite
• Chella (Nigeria)
Best African DJ
• DJ Moh Green (Algeria)
Producer of the Year
• Element Eleéh & Mugisha Fred Robinson (Rwanda)
Album of the Year
• No Sign of Weakness – Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Best African Video of the Year
• “Ova” – Mbosso (Tanzania)
Song of the Year
• “Laho” – Shallipopi (Nigeria)
Best African Dance/Choreography
• “Dimama” – Weeha (Ethiopia)
Best African Act Reggae, Ragga & Dancehall
• Takana Zion (Guinea)
Best African Collaboration
• “Laho” – Shallipopi ft. Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Most Promising Artiste of the Year
• Qing Madi (Nigeria)
Artiste of the Year
• Rema (Nigeria)
Breakout Artiste of the Year
• Ciza (South Africa)
Best African Lyricist Rapper
• Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire)
Best African Artiste in African Hip-Hop
• Phyno (Nigeria)
Best African Artiste in African RnB & Soul
• Rema (Nigeria)
Best African Duo, Group or Band
• Team Paiya (Côte d’Ivoire)
