FULL LIST: Davido leads 2026 nominations as AFRIMMA returns after two-year hiatus

The African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) has
announced its nominees for the 2026 edition, marking the ceremony’s return
after a two-year hiatus.

 

The awards, which celebrate outstanding artists, songs,
performances, creative impact, and the global influence of African music, last
held an edition in 2023.

Anderson Obiagwu, founder of the awards, announced the nominees via Instagram on Wednesday.
He said the break was taken to improve the event and promised that this year’s
ceremony would be “epic, better and one of a kind.”

Obiagwu also revealed that the 2026 edition will feature
AFRIMMA’s first-ever music festival in Dallas, Texas, alongside food and
fashion vendors.

“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.

“This year, we’re adding a music festival, the biggest ever
in Dallas. There will be several food vendors, fashion vendors, as well as some
of the biggest dancers and musicians from different parts of Africa.”

Davido leads nominees with five nods

Among the nominees,
Nigerian singer Davido emerged as the frontrunner with five nominations across
major categories, including ‘Best Male West Africa,’ ‘Crossing Boundaries With
Music Award,’ ‘Artist of the Year,’ and ‘AFRIMMA Album of the Year’.

His collaboration with Omah Lay — ‘With You’ — also earned
nominations for ‘Best Collaboration and Song of the Year’.

He was followed by Burna Boy, Tanzanian singer Diamond
Platnumz, and Ghanaian singer Black Sherif, who each received four nominations.

Among the female nominees, South Africa’s Tyla earned three
nominations, while Tems received two.

Peller, Carter Efe, Nasty Black, and Sabinus will also
compete in the ‘Best Influencer’ category, while Timini Egbuson, Uzor Arukwe,
Bimbo Ademoye, and Uche Montana are among the nominees for ‘Best Actor’.

The awards ceremony and music festival will take place on
September 12, 2026, at Annette Strauss Square in Dallas, Texas.

Here is the full list:

1. 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)

2. 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)

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. 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)

6. 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)

7. 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)

8. 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)

9. Best Male North Africa

• Wegz
  (Egypt)
• Stormy
  (Morocco)
• Adviser
  (Mauritania)
• Amr
  Diab (Egypt)
• Marwan
  Moussa (Egypt)
• ElGrandeToto
  (Morocco)
• DJ
  Snake (Algeria)
• Cheb
  Momo (Algeria)

10. 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)

11. 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)

12. Best Newcomer

• Lisandro
  Cuxi (Cape Verde)
• Mavo
  (Nigeria)
• Abigail
  Chams (Tanzania)
• 6uff
  (Nigeria)
• Lava
  Lava (Tanzania)
• Florito
  (Angola)
• Toxic
  Lyrikali (Kenya)
• Fola
  (Nigeria)

13. 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)

14. 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)

15. 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)

16. 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)

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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)

20. 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)

21. 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)

22. 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)

23. 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)

24. Best Male Reggae/Dancehall

• Valiant
  (Jamaica)
• Mr.
  Killa (Grenada)
• Patoranking
  (Nigeria)
• Shatta
  Wale (Ghana)
• Skillibeng
  (Jamaica)
• Vybz
  Kartel (Jamaica)
• Popcaan
  (Jamaica)
• Kranium
  (Jamaica)

25. Best Female Reggae/Dancehall

• Shenseea
  (Jamaica)
• Jada
  Kingdom (Jamaica)
• Moliy
  (Ghana)
• Spice
  (Jamaica)
• Koffee
  (Jamaica)
• Lila
  Iké (Jamaica)
• Shaneil
  Muir (Jamaica)
• Vanessa
  Bling (Jamaica)

26. 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)

27. 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

28. 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)

29. 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)

30. 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)

31. 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)

32. 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)

33. 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)

34. 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)

35. 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)

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