Following the successful hosting of the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in Lagos, preparations for the symbolic 10th edition have gathered momentum, with the International Committee of AFRIMA — in partnership with the African Union Commission — taking its engagement campaign across key African cities.
The outreach train stopped in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, last month for a similar Media and Stakeholders’ Parley, where artistes, including award winners Juma Jux and Folex, alongside industry executives and government officials, met to assess the awards’ impact and promote stronger continental collaboration.
The focus now shifts to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where the International Committee will host another high-level Media and Stakeholders’ Parley on February 17, 2026, in the Ivorian capital. The event is expected to attract leading artistes, regulators, music executives and cultural stakeholders from across Francophone West Africa and beyond as AFRIMA consolidates engagement ahead of the 10th edition.
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Among those expected are 9th AFRIMA winners from Côte d’Ivoire, including Didi B, who won Best African Lyricist/Rapper; Milo, winner of Best Male African Inspirational Music; Team Paiya, recipient of Best African Duo, Group or Band; and Morijah, Best Female African Inspirational Music winner. Algerian star DJ Moh Green, winner of the Best African DJ Award, is also billed to attend.
The winners, alongside key stakeholders and members of the AFRIMA International Committee, are expected to share experiences, offer insights on the significance of continental award platforms, and highlight the need to strengthen institutions that promote Africa’s cultural identity.
Speaking ahead of the event, Guy Neza, an Ivorian and member of the AFRIMA International Jury, said the Abidjan parley forms part of the strategic build-up to the 10th edition. He noted that the engagement aims to deepen collaboration with government institutions and industry players across Francophone West Africa while providing direction on expanding AFRIMA’s global reach.
He added that the platform would also enlighten stakeholders and the public on AFRIMA’s transparent selection process — from entry submissions and nomination by a 13-member International Jury to final voting by the Academy of Voters and fans.
“This event is a powerful statement of AFRIMA’s commitment to amplifying the voice of Francophone Africa within the continental and global music industry. As a proud Ivorian and member of the AFRIMA International Jury, I view this gathering as a vital platform for collaboration, representation and visibility for our creative community,” he said.
“Francophone Africa has always been rich in rhythm, culture and innovation — from Côte d’Ivoire’s Coupé-Décalé to Senegal’s mbalax and the urban fusions emerging from the DRC, Mali and Cameroon. It is time the rest of the continent and the world experience this dynamism at full volume.”
The Abidjan event will feature live performances, industry conversations, and question-and-answer sessions with AFRIMA officials, past winners, nominees and other creatives.
