By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde
The anticipation is building in Africa and globally as the African Union Commission and the International Committee of AFRIMA prepare to announce the host city for the 2025 All Africa Music Awards.
The announcement is set to take place on May 13 at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Two prominent cities, Lagos, Nigeria, and Gauteng Province, South Africa, are vying for the honor of hosting this prestigious event. Both cities boast thriving music and cultural scenes, robust infrastructure, and a proven track record of successfully hosting large international events.
Lagos, known as the heartbeat of Afrobeats, has been the launching pad for numerous African music stars. The city has undergone significant transformations under its current leadership, with notable advancements in infrastructure, transportation, and the creative economy. Lagos has previously hosted AFRIMA with great success and possesses the necessary infrastructure, including world-class hotels and venues, to stage a top-notch event.
On the other hand, Gauteng Province, which includes Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria, and Soweto, is renowned for its rich musical heritage, having given birth to genres like Kwaito and Amapiano. The city has a proven ability to host large-scale events, including the FIFA World Cup and international music festivals. Both cities’ leaders are fully committed to hosting AFRIMA, believing it will boost their creative industries, attract tourists, create jobs, and inspire a new generation of African music stars.
According to Adenrele Niyi, AFRIMA’s Chief Experience Officer, “Hosting AFRIMA is not just about glamour or entertainment. It’s equally about creating real impact. The event brings thousands of visitors including artists, fans, policy makers, media professionals, and investors to the host city. That means full hotels, busy restaurants, more sales for local shops, and lots of business for transport services and event planners. More importantly, however, the over 400 million expected broadcast audience globally remain a key strength of the AFRIMA legacy.”
The host city will have the opportunity to showcase itself to a global audience of over 400 million people through broadcast and digital media. The event will also bring economic benefits, including increased business for local hotels, restaurants, and shops. Additionally, the host city will organize side events, such as the African Music Business Summit and the AFRIMA Music Village, which will leave a lasting impression on the host country.
Past hosts of AFRIMA, including Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal, have all experienced significant benefits from hosting the event. The 2023 event in Dakar was widely praised for its success and energy. Now, the world is waiting to see which city will be chosen to host AFRIMA 2025 and celebrate African music, talent, and creativity.
