Lagos Hosts 1,216 Participants for 9th AFRIMA, Celebrating African Music’s Growing Global Influence
Lagos, Nigeria, has once again transformed into a vibrant hub as 1,216 artistes, delegates, and members of the production team assemble in the city for the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).x
The impressive figure was revealed during the Welcome Soirée for nominees and guests held at the residence of the British Deputy High Commissioner, marking the official commencement of AFRIMA Week.
During the event, AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, Mike Dada, highlighted the significance of the gathering, stating that the large turnout underscores the expanding strength of African music. He emphasized how AFRIMA, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, leverages this platform to boost the creative economies of African nations.
He remarked, “This year’s AFRIMA has once again demonstrated the immense power and global pull of African music. As we speak, a total of 1,216 artistes, delegates, and members of our production team have arrived in Lagos. This number includes 732 artistes and managers, 301 delegates from across Africa and the diaspora, and 183 technical production professionals working tirelessly behind the scenes. You can imagine how that number can impact our economy, how much benefit Lagos’ tourism capacity demonstrates. It is huge for us and we are happy to work with the Lagos State Government and other partners to bring this benefit to our economy and our city.”
Dada further emphasized the role of music as a catalyst for good, promoting integration, inclusion, peace, and economic growth across Africa and beyond.
“First, music is a powerful tool for integration and inclusion. Second, it is a catalyst for peace, both across our continent and globally. And of course, music is a driver of economic growth within the creative industry.
For us, AFRIMA is about connecting people. We do not see colour. What we see is talent, whether you are white, black, blue, or green. What matters to us is the humanity that exists in all of us. That shared humanity is what has informed our partnerships and our purpose,” he added.
Dada expressed gratitude towards the Lagos State Government and AFRIMA partners, including First Bank, Guinness, Glenfiddich, and the Swedish Government. He also acknowledged the UK Government for hosting the event, emphasizing, “We do not take this partnership for granted.”
In his remarks, British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter praised the growing cultural ties between the UK, Nigeria, and Africa through music. He noted the rising global success of African artistes, highlighting that Afrobeats now dominate charts in the UK and worldwide. Baxter affirmed the UK’s commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships in the creative industries.
Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, stated, “Lagos is Africa’s cultural capital, a city where creativity lives loudly, where ideas scale rapidly, and where talent finds opportunity. Through the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, we remain unwavering in our commitment to building an enabling ecosystem where creatives can thrive, collaborate, and compete successfully on the world stage.”