LAGOS-
All preparations are being concluded for the staging of the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), scheduled to take place from 7th to 11th January 2026 at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, reaffirming Nigeria’s status as a hub of Africa’s creative and entertainment economy.
AFRIMA is Africa’s foremost continental music award platform, established to celebrate African musical excellence, promote cultural exchange, and position African music as a powerful global industry. Since its inception, AFRIMA has evolved beyond awards night glamour into a strategic ecosystem that connects artistes, governments, investors, media, and creative industry stakeholders.
A major highlight of AFRIMA 2026 is the Africa Music Business Summit (AMBS), holding on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos, from 8:00am to 5:00pm (WAT). The summit will convene top industry leaders, global executives, policymakers, investors, and creatives to shape the future of Africa’s music business under the compelling theme: “Connect, Build, Own.”
The summit will be hosted by CNN International Correspondent, Larry Madowo, with a keynote address by the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, underscoring the growing international interest and strategic partnerships driving Africa’s creative economy.
Leading conversations at the summit are notable figures including Olisa Adibua, Juma Jux, Stonebwoy, ID Cabasa, executives from Universal Music Group, and other influential voices shaping Africa’s music and entertainment landscape.
Discussions will focus on critical growth drivers such as:
Ownership and intellectual property rights protection
Creative economy infrastructure and policy
Global media exposure and international market access
Financing, investment, and scalable business models
Clear pathways to global stardom for African artistes
As Africa’s music industry continues its rapid global ascent, AFRIMA 2026 positions Lagos as the meeting point where culture meets commerce, and where Africa takes decisive steps to not just create global sounds, but to own, monetise, and sustainably scale its music revolution.
From awards celebrations to high-level business dialogue, AFRIMA 2026 promises to be a defining moment for Africa’s creative future.
