The African Union and the International Executive Committee of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, have announced that the 10th edition of the awards will take place in Lagos from May 18 to 23, 2027, with the grand awards ceremony scheduled for May 23.

The global calendar was unveiled on September 20, 2026, at the 10th AFRIMA Creative Industry Roundtable and Global Calendar Unveiling at the Sofitel in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California.

Also read: AFRIMA unveils 10th edition global calendar in Los Angeles

AFRIMA President and Executive Producer Mike Dada announced that the Call for Entries will open worldwide on October 11, 2026, and close on January 10, 2027.

The organisers said eligible creative works must have been produced and released between August 10, 2025 and January 10, 2027.

Following the close of entries, collation and pre-screening will take place from January 11 to 14, 2027. Adjudication is scheduled for January 15 to 22, with the global announcement of nominees set for January 29.

Public voting will then run from February 21 until May 21, ahead of the main events in Lagos.

The 10th edition will also feature an international build-up programme known as #Road2AFRIMA10Xperience, with activities planned for London, Windhoek, Cotonou, Nairobi, Accra, Paris, Warri and Port Harcourt.

In Lagos, the AFRIMA 10X Conference, Media Parley and Industry Night will take place on April 14. University activations and concerts are also planned between February and April before the main programme begins on May 18 with the AFRIMA Diamond Showcase.

“The journey will culminate in Lagos with the 10th AFRIMA Main Events from May 18 to 23, 2027, and the grand awards ceremony on May 23,” Dada announced.

The organisers said the 10th edition is intended to mark a decade of African musical excellence while drawing greater attention to the continent’s creative economy.

Dada argued that Africa’s growing cultural influence should translate into stronger commercial opportunities for artists and other creative professionals.

“African artistes are filling arenas around the world. African sounds are influencing global culture. But visibility alone is not enough,” he said.

“We must turn visibility into opportunity, opportunity into investment, and investment into sustainable creative industries. Africa must not only export culture; Africa must capture the capital and build wealth from its culture.”

Dada described the calendar as more than a schedule of events, calling it a roadmap for engagement, collaboration, investment and cultural exchange among artists, creatives, investors, policymakers, media organisations and industry leaders.

The Los Angeles unveiling followed earlier #Road2AFRIMA10Xperience engagements in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; and Rabat and Casablanca, Morocco.

The Los Angeles event attracted participants from Africa and the United States, including comedian Darryl Vega, actors Razz Adeoti, Bayo Akinfemi and Ozie Nzeribe, digital creator Laurence Brahm, artiste Seyi Brown, producer Septimius, The Africa Channel COO Narendra Reddy and Ghanaian DJ Sly King.

Renowned Nigerian choreographer, dance instructor and fitness coach Kaffy also attended and hosted the event.

Award-winning American artiste and producer Septimius The Great delivered the welcome remarks, emphasising the potential for deeper collaboration between African and American music industries.

“The connection between African artistes and American artistes is more important than ever,” he said.

Septimius added that stronger links between both markets could create opportunities for African music and culture to reach wider international audiences.

Reddy also called for stronger commercial structures around African creativity, arguing that are positioning AFRIMA 2027 as both a celebration of African music and a wider platform for discussions around investment, cultural exchange and the artists should receive meaningful financial returns from the work they produce.

“Creators must make real money from their work, not be used and discarded after their content generates value,” he said.

Reddy further called for collaboration among Africa’s 54 countries and stronger partnerships with international markets to attract investment and expand opportunities for African creatives.

Established in 2013 by the International Executive Committee of AFRIMA in partnership with the African Union, the awards have developed into a major platform for recognising and promoting African music and creative talent.

The organisers said AFRIMA’s broadcast currently reaches audiences in more than 84 countries, with millions of viewers worldwide.

Also read: AFRIMA unveils 10th edition global calendar in Los Angeles

With the 10th edition now scheduled for Lagos, the organisers are positioning AFRIMA 2027 as both a celebration of African music and a wider platform for discussions around investment, cultural exchange and the growth of the continent’s creative industries.