The Lagos State Government has announced its hosting of the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).
The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka disclosed this at a press conference on Wednesday 7th January, held at the Alausa Press Centre, Ikeja-Lagos, while the creative industry stakeholders and international partners reaffirmed their commitment to leveraging music and culture for economic growth, youth empowerment and continental integration.
Mrs Awoyinka described AFRIMA as a flagship African platform that continues to elevate the continent’s creative voice on the global stage.
Benson-Awoyinka noted that AFRIMA has grown into one of Africa’s most influential cultural events, celebrating musical excellence while fostering collaboration, innovation and economic opportunities across borders.
“AFRIMA is not just an awards ceremony; it is a powerful platform for showcasing Africa’s strength, diversity and global competitiveness in the creative industry,” she said.
She stressed that Lagos State remains firmly committed to positioning culture as a driver of development, employment creation and tourism growth, adding that the creative sector now plays a significant role in shaping Africa’s global image.
While she highlighted the broader impact of the creative industry, the Commissioner said music and the arts are increasingly contributing to job creation, tourism inflow, youth empowerment and global visibility for Africa.
“This edition of AFRIMA will bring together artists, producers, policymakers and creative entrepreneurs from across Africa and beyond, reinforcing the relevance of the creative sector as a catalyst for economic transformation,” Benson-Awoyinka stated.
She further explained that Lagos State is deliberately investing in culture and tourism to strengthen its status as Africa’s creative capital, while creating an enabling environment for artists and investors.
According to her, the AFRIMA platform also aligns with Lagos State’s vision of using culture to promote continental integration, social inclusion and poverty reduction, especially among young people.
The Commissioner expressed appreciation to strategic partners, particularly the British High Commission, for their sustained collaboration in promoting cultural exchange and creative diplomacy.
“These partnerships reinforce our shared vision of using arts and culture as tools for international engagement, innovation and economic growth,” she said.
She also revealed that the State is working to ensure affordable access to AFRIMA’s music summit and award events for young people in Lagos, as part of efforts to democratise creative opportunities.
In the same vein, Mr. Mike Dada, AFRIMA Producer, commended Lagos State for supporting creative festivals and initiatives that project African culture through music, art and storytelling.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
While highlighting AFRIMA’s achievements, Mr. Dada also pointed to challenges facing Africa’s creative industry, including visa restrictions, travel limitations and logistics hurdles, which sometimes affect cross-border collaboration.
He disclosed plans to use art installations, sculptures and storytelling projects to educate and inspire young people across Lagos and Nigeria, while promoting African heritage.
Mr. Olisa Adibua, Co-Producer of AFRIMA, also thanked the Lagos State Government and the media for their consistent support, noting that AFRIMA’s success over the years has been driven by strong public-private collaboration.
He described AFRIMA as a “winning African story” that continues to unite the continent through music, while opening doors for African artists on the global stage.
Mrs. Benson-Awoyinka used the occasion to congratulate all AFRIMA nominees and participants, praising their discipline, creativity and impact.
“AFRIMA remains a platform that not only celebrates excellence but amplifies African voices and stories to the world,” she said.
She called for sustained media partnership and positive coverage to ensure a successful and impactful AFRIMA 2026, while reaffirming Lagos State’s readiness to host Africa and the world.
The 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) is expected to attract thousands of artists, industry professionals and visitors to Lagos, further reinforcing the city’s position as a leading hub for music, entertainment and cultural tourism in Africa.
