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AFRIMMA 2026: Davido Leads Nominees With Five Nods as Awards Return After Two-Year Hiatus
The African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) has unveiled the nominees for its 2026 edition, with Nigerian Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, emerging as the most nominated artiste.
The organisers announced the nominations on Wednesday, marking the awards' return after a two-year hiatus. The break was aimed at repositioning and revamping the event ahead of what is expected to be one of Africa's biggest music celebrations.
Naija Brain reports that Davido secured five nominations across some of the ceremony's most prestigious categories, further cementing his position as one of Africa's leading music stars.
Davido Tops AFRIMMA 2026 Nominations
Davido received nominations for Artist of the Year, Best Male West Africa, Crossing Boundaries With Music Award, and AFRIMMA Album of the Year for his critically acclaimed album, 5ive.
His collaboration with fellow Nigerian singer Omah Lay, With You, also earned nominations in the Best Collaboration and Song of the Year categories.
The nominations cap another successful year for the Afrobeats star, whose latest album and international collaborations have continued to expand the global reach of African music.
Burna Boy, Black Sherif, Diamond Platnumz, Tyla Shine
Trailing Davido are Nigerian Grammy winner Burna Boy, Ghanaian rapper Black Sherif, and Tanzanian music star Diamond Platnumz, who each received four nominations.
South African sensation Tyla emerged as the most nominated female artiste with three nominations, while Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems secured two.
The nominations reflect the continued growth and global influence of African music, with artistes from different regions of the continent recognised for their achievements over the past year.
Tyla's nominations follow another impressive year in her career after gaining worldwide recognition with her hit single Water, which became one of the few African songs to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The singer has continued to strengthen her international profile through successful releases and major award wins.
Tems also maintained her remarkable rise on the global stage, earning recognition for her distinctive sound and high-profile international collaborations, further establishing herself as one of Africa's leading female music exports.
Burna Boy, meanwhile, continues to enjoy global success, headlining major international festivals, dominating streaming platforms, and setting new milestones for African music worldwide.
AFRIMMA Founder Explains Two-Year Break
Explaining the awards' absence over the past two years, AFRIMMA founder Anderson Obiagwu said the organisers deliberately suspended the event to reposition it for a stronger comeback.
Announcing the nominees on his Instagram page on Wednesday, Obiagwu assured fans that the 2026 edition would be bigger and better than previous editions.
"For the last two years, AFRIMMA took a break to make it even bigger and create something sensational. AFRIMMA is coming back bigger and better this year. It's going to be epic, one of a kind," he said.
Below is the full list of the 2026 AFRIMMA nominations:
Best Male West Africa
Davido (Nigeria)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
BNXN (Nigeria)
Rema (Nigeria)
Asake (Nigeria)
Didi B (Ivory Coast)
Djodje (Cape Verde)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Ruger (Nigeria)
Dino Santiago (Cape Verde)
Best Female West Africa
Hadzi Vodushi (Ghana)
Tems (Nigeria)
Josey (Ivory Coast)
Viviane Chidid (Senegal)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Moliy (Ghana)
Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
Mariam Ba Lagare (Mali)
Teni (Nigeria)
Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
Best Male East Africa
Lij Michael (Ethiopia)
Marioo (Tanzania)
Eddy Kenzo (Uganda)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Juma Jux (Tanzania)
Bien (Kenya)
Mbosso (Tanzania)
Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
Single Dee (South Sudan)
Barnaba (Tanzania)
Best Female East Africa
Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
Veronica Adane (Ethiopia)
Bridget Blue (Kenya)
Zuchu (Tanzania)
Nikita Kering (Kenya)
Ariel Wayz (Rwanda)
Njerae (Kenya)
Winnie Nwagi (Uganda)
Salemia (Ethiopia)
Best Male Central Africa
Matias Damásio (Angola)
Dadju (DR Congo)
TayC (Cameroon)
Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)
Calema (São Tomé & Príncipe)
Gims (DR Congo)
Gerilson Israel (Angola)
Ko-C (Cameroon)
Best Female Central Africa
Anna Joyce (Angola)
Rebo (DR Congo)
Krys M (Cameroon)
Blanche Bailly (Cameroon)
Cindy Le Coeur (DR Congo)
Espoir La Tigresse (Gabon)
Jessy B (Republic of the Congo)
Emma’a (Gabon)
Best Male Southern Africa
Scott Maphuma (South Africa)
Nutty O (Zimbabwe)
Yo Maps (Zambia)
DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)
Zeze Kingston (Malawi)
Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
William Last KRM (Botswana)
Kabza De Small (South Africa)
Best Female Southern Africa
Mawhoo (South Africa)
Tamy Moyo (Zimbabwe)
Charma Gal (Botswana)
Babalwa M (South Africa)
Hanna (Zimbabwe)
Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
Bombshell Grenade (Zambia)
Makhadzi (South Africa)
Tyla (South Africa)
Best Male North Africa
Wegz (Egypt)
Stormy (Morocco)
Adviser (Mauritania)
Amr Diab (Egypt)
Marwan Moussa (Egypt)
ElGrandeToto (Morocco)
DJ Snake (Algeria)
Cheb Momo (Algeria)
Best Female North Africa
Marwa Loud (Morocco)
Chirine Lajmi (Tunisia)
Manal (Morocco)
Souhila Ben Lachhab (Algeria)
Sherine (Egypt)
Latifa (Tunisia)
Kenza Morsli (Algeria)
Zina Daoudia (Morocco)
Crossing Boundaries with Music Award
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Aya Nakamura (Mali)
Rema (Nigeria)
Davido (Nigeria)
Toby Nwigwe (Nigeria)
Flavour (Nigeria)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)
Odeal (Nigeria)
Best Newcomer
Lisandro Cuxi (Cape Verde)
Mavo (Nigeria)
Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
6uff (Nigeria)
Lava Lava (Tanzania)
Florito (Angola)
Toxic Lyrikali (Kenya)
Fola (Nigeria)
Artist of the Year
Asake (Nigeria)
Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Rema (Nigeria)
Tyla (South Africa)
Tems (Nigeria)
Davido (Nigeria)
Bien (Kenya)
Best Gospel
Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
Prosper Germoh (Cameroon)
Christina Shusho (Tanzania)
Miguel Buila (Angola)
Bidemi Olaoba (Nigeria)
Deborah Lukalu (DR Congo)
Joel Lwaga (Tanzania)
Moïse Mbiye (DR Congo)
Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye (Nigeria)
Best Female Rap Act
Rosa Ree (Tanzania)
Eno Barony (Ghana)
Bombshell Grenade (Zambia)
Freda Rhymz (Ghana)
Moozlie (South Africa)
Ssaru (Kenya)
Ami Yerewolo (Mali)
Candy Bleakz (Nigeria)
Best Male Rap Act
Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
Jeriq (Nigeria)
Ninho (DR Congo)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
A-Reece (South Africa)
6uff (Nigeria)
Blxckie (South Africa)
Yung Lunya (Tanzania)
Phyno (Nigeria)
Himra (Ivory Coast)
Best Collaboration
Bien & Alikiba Finale
BNXN & Sarz Back Outside
Davido & Omah Lay With You
Diamond Platnumz ft. Juma Jux Joy
Patoranking ft. Ruger Shake That
Fally Ipupa ft. Wizkid Jam
Jazzworx & Tukuthela Bengicela
Flavour ft. Baaba Maal Afroculture
Marvais Djo ft. Kano Choir Pile
Song of the Year
Davido ft. Omah Lay With You
BNXN & Sarz Back Outside
Bien & Alikiba Finale
Diamond Platnumz ft. Juma Jux Joy
Moliy ft. Shenseea & Skillibeng Shake It to the Max
Black Sherif So It Goes
Ciza Isaka (6AM)
Young Jonn Elumelu
DopeNation Kakalika
Marvais Djo ft. Kano Choir Pile
DJ Kedjevara Ça Fait Mal
Best Video Director
Hanscana (Tanzania)
Director Pink (Nigeria)
Elias Belkader (Algeria)
Mateo Da Silva (Cameroon)
TG Omori (Nigeria)
Babs Direction (Ghana)
Jake Zaral (Zimbabwe)
Dammy Twitch (Nigeria)
Best DJ Africa
DJ Spinall (Nigeria)
DJ Dollar (Senegal)
Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
DJ Obi (Nigeria)
DJ Tunez (Nigeria)
DJ Sly King (Ghana)
DJ Commissioner Wysei (Nigeria)
DJ Nelasta (Angola)
Major League DJs (South Africa)
DJ Kaywise (Nigeria)
DJ Dope Caesar (Nigeria)
DJ Moh (Kenya)
Best African DJ USA
DJ Kuncept (Nigeria)
DJ Akua (Ghana)
DJ Prince (Nigeria)
DJ Bode (Nigeria)
DJ Chelsea (Canada)
DJ Shinski (Kenya)
DJ Birame BB L’amour (Ivory Coast)
DJ Oreo (Nigeria)
Lex and Answer (Zimbabwe)
DJ Nani (Nigeria)
Music Producer of the Year
Masterkraft (Nigeria)
Andre Vibez (Nigeria)
207 (Uganda)
Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
Magicsticks (Nigeria)
MOG Beatz (Ghana)
Xduppy (South Africa)
London (Nigeria)
Best African Dancer
Masaka Dance Kids (Uganda)
Incredible Zigi (Ghana)
Poco Lee (Nigeria)
Ghetto Kids (Uganda)
Angel Nyigu (Tanzania)
Hope Ramafalo (South Africa)
Wet Bad Gang (Angola)
Dancegod Lloyd (Ghana)
Hooliboy (Ghana)
Best Male Reggae/Dancehall
Valiant (Jamaica)
Mr. Killa (Grenada)
Patoranking (Nigeria)
Shatta Wale (Ghana)
Skillibeng (Jamaica)
Vybz Kartel (Jamaica)
Popcaan (Jamaica)
Kranium (Jamaica)
Best Female Reggae/Dancehall
Shenseea (Jamaica)
Jada Kingdom (Jamaica)
Moliy (Ghana)
Spice (Jamaica)
Koffee (Jamaica)
Lila Iké (Jamaica)
Shaneil Muir (Jamaica)
Vanessa Bling (Jamaica)
Best African Group
Disco Misr (Egypt)
Calema (São Tomé & Príncipe)
Show Dem Camp (Nigeria)
Toofan (Togo)
DopeNation (Ghana)
Team Paiya (Ivory Coast)
Mi Casa (South Africa)
Bracket (Nigeria)
AFRIMMA Album of the Year
Black Sherif Top of The Morning Era
Omah Lay Clarity of Mind
Asake M$NEY
Tyla A-Pop
Burna Boy No Sign of Weakness
Lloyiso Never Thought I Could
Davido 5ive
Leigh-Anne – My Ego Told Me To
Himra SORRY I’M BAD
Best African USA Based Artist
Kwate (Nigeria)
Bills (Nigeria)
Mannywellz (Nigeria)
Moses Sumney (Ghana)
Libianca (Cameroon)
Palmwine Tappers Band (Nigeria)
Detty K (Ivory Coast)
J Pako (DR Congo)
Emma Nyra (Nigeria)
AFRIMMA Timeless Impact Award
Timaya (Nigeria)
Amr Diab (Egypt)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Nameless (Kenya)
Oskido (South Africa)
Kcee (Nigeria)
Slap Dee (Zambia)
Bebe Cool (Uganda)
Flavour (Nigeria)
Mafikizolo (South Africa)
African Athlete of the Year
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea)
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
Pascal Siakam (Cameroon)
Faith Kipyegon (Kenya)
Nnamdi Madubuike (Nigeria)
Best Influencer
Peller (Nigeria)
Carter Efe (Nigeria)
Khaby Lame (Senegal)
Nasty Black (Nigeria)
Lasizwe Dambuza (South Africa)
Ilyas El Maliki (Morocco)
Crazy Kennar (Kenya)
Sabinus (Nigeria)
Best Actor/Actress
Timini Egbuson (Nigeria)
Uzor Arukwe (Nigeria)
Bimbo Ademoye (Nigeria)
Uche Montana (Nigeria)
Elizabeth Michael “Lulu” (Tanzania)
Zander Adika (Kenya)
Pallance Dladla (South Africa)
Masali Baduza (South Africa)
Best Comedian
Basketmouth (Nigeria)
Bovi (Nigeria)
Warri Pikin (Nigeria)
Eric Omondi (Kenya)
Trevor Noah (South Africa)
Godfrey (Nigeria)
Patrick “Salvado” Idringi (Uganda)
Ty Ngachira (Kenya)
Best Hypeman/MC
Big Smart (Nigeria)
Shody (Nigeria)
Ogee The MC (Ghana)
MC Wild (Kenya)
Robot Boii (South Africa)
Balaa MC (Tanzania)
MC Mignon (DR Congo)
Do2dtun (Nigeria)
Community Impact Award
Ester Mathew Tonlagha Foundation (Nigeria)
Noella Foundation (Nigeria)
FAWE – Forum for African Women Educationalists (Kenya)
Educate! (Uganda)
IkamvaYouth (South Africa)
Street Child (Sierra Leone)
Tony Elumelu Foundation (Nigeria)