Lagos takes hostship of AFRIMA 2025
Lagos takes hostship of AFRIMA 2025
In a city known for bustling cultural and commercial activities, Lagos is once again highly favoured to host Africa’s most prestigious music celebration, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).
Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared the state’s readiness to host the event.
He made this commitment when he received a delegation from the African Union and the AFRIMA International Committee in his office.
According to him, Lagos is qualified to get the hosting right because of its status as the creative and cultural capital of Africa.
Sanwo-Olu said hosting AFRIMA 2025 aligns with his administration’s vision to make the creative and tourism industry a major pillar of its development drive.
“I am impressed by the diversity and calibre of the members of the AFRIMA International Committee. Seeing representatives from countries like Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Morocco, and South-Africa is a strong affirmation that AFRIMA is a global pan-Africa initiative, it is a true continental platform,” Sanwo-Olu said as he welcomed the team.
Head of Culture and Acting Director for Social Development, Culture and Sport at the African Union Commission Ms. Angela Martins, commended the Governor for his continuous support of the arts and reaffirmed the AU’s long-standing partnership with AFRIMA.
“The African Union has been proud to partner with AFRIMA since 2014. Over the years, we’ve supported the awards to make sure they live up to their promise to celebrate and reward African talent and music and to promote our cultural values. Beyond entertainment, AFRIMA has become one of the tools through which we promote and communicate the African Union’s cultural policies and the wider vision of Agenda 2063, particularly in building the creative economy of the continet,” she said.
AFRIMA President and Executive Producer Mike Dada, thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for the state’s investment in the creative industry, stating that AFRIMA is positioned to create big opportunities for tourism, entertainment, jobs, and the economy for the host city.
Dada said: “Under your leadership, Lagos has made great progress in the creative industry. You’ve been a strong supporter and a true promoter of talent and fresh ideas. Whether it’s film, fashion, music, or technology, your efforts have helped make Lagos stand out as Africa’s creative capital. We at AFRIMA truly appreciate your support, and we believe Lagos is more than ready to host an unforgettable AFRIMA 2025.
“Since AFRIMA was birthed in 2014, and hosted in Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal, with road shows in over 22 countries around the world, we’ve remained committed to celebrating and uniting Africa through music. AFRIMA is not just about music, it also resonates with real human stories, we’ve seen dreams come through, talents discovered, and careers launched. More importantly, AFRIMA is helping to reshape the global narrative about Africa. We’re showing that Africa is not a continent of lack but a cultural powerhouse that supports development and economic growth.
“With over 1,600 nominees, and their teams, more than 1,100 production crew members expected in 2025 and over 400 million global broadcast audience, Lagos won’t just host an event; the impact of the one-week festival will be massive, opening more doors for tourism, hospitality, and new economic opportunities for business in the sector and beyond.”
Other members of the delegation received by Sanwo-Olu are: Director of Brand Communications at AFRIMA Ms. Matlou Tsotetsi from South Africa; Chief Experience Officer (CXO) from Nigeria Ms. Adenrele Niyi; an Australian-Kenyan and Regional Director for Eastern Africa Mr. Mike John Strano; and Mr. Francis Doku, Country Director for Ghana. Also in the delegation were Mr. Kenny Ogungbe from Nigeria, a member of the AFRIMA International Congress and Media Committee, Ms. Edwidge Goli from Cote d’Ivoire, who serves as Liaison and Partnership Advisory Executive, Francophone region; and Ms. Victoria Nkong from Nigeria, an AFRIMA Associate Producer.
The African Union and AFRIMA International Committee will on May 13 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia officially announce and present the certificate to the host of the 2025 AFRIMA.
