By Oladele Eniola
Lagos, Jan. 8, 2026
The 2025 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) week commenced with a high-profile Welcome Soirée in Lagos on Wednesday evening, bringing together a constellation of African celebrities, diplomats, and creative industry stakeholders. The event, held at the Deputy British High Commission Residence in Ikoyi, served as the official curtain-raiser for a week dedicated to celebrating and strategically advancing the continent’s music.
The exclusive gathering was more than a glamorous pre-awards party; it was a strategic nexus for cultural exchange and professional networking. Attendees included a diverse mix of AFRIMA nominees, industry leaders, global partners, and creatives. Notable figures such as filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, actress Juliet Ibrahim, legendary Congolese musician Koffi Olomide, and Nigerian rapper Falz were among those present, highlighting the event’s cross-disciplinary appeal.
Beyond the Awards: AFRIMA’s Strategic Vision for Africa
In his address, AFRIMA President Mike Dada articulated a vision that extends far beyond handing out trophies. He positioned the platform as a critical instrument for cultural diplomacy and economic empowerment.
“Music is one of Africa’s most powerful means of expression and identity,” Dada stated. “Through AFRIMA, we are building bridges between nations, changing perceptions, and creating opportunities for African talents and professionals.”
This mission is increasingly vital in a global market where African sounds—from Afrobeats to Amapiano—are achieving unprecedented popularity, yet the continent’s artists and professionals often struggle to capture equitable value. Dada emphasized AFRIMA’s role in ensuring “African music continues to command respect, relevance and value on the global stage, while creating sustainable opportunities for the next generation.”
The Imperative of Collaboration in a Growing Ecosystem
A core theme of the evening was the critical need for unified action. Dada stressed that the sustained growth of Africa’s creative economy depends on strategic partnerships between the private sector, governments, and media.
“Strategic collaboration remains critical to creating enabling policies, expanding opportunities, and ensuring long-term value for creative talents across the continent,” he explained. This could involve advocating for more favorable intellectual property laws, building pan-African distribution networks, or developing infrastructure like world-class recording studios and performance venues. A united approach, he argued, is essential to transform isolated successes into a robust, continent-wide industry that can compete globally.
Setting the Tone for a Week of Impact
The Welcome Soirée, with its cultural ambience and informal interactions, effectively set a collaborative tone for the AFRIMA week agenda. Since its inception, AFRIMA has played a key role in promoting African music and culture globally, acting as a unifying force for the continent’s diverse creative expressions.
The 2025 edition, hosted in Lagos from January 7 to 11, promises a series of events including industry summits, talent showcases, and the main awards ceremony. These activities are designed not just to celebrate past achievements but to forge the partnerships and dialogues that will shape the future of African music.
(Source: NAN News. Edited by Folasade Adeniran)
