Tanzanian stars Juma Jux and Folex call AFRIMA awards ‘life-changing,’ boosting global visibility and opening career opportunities
Tanzanian music stars Juma Jux and Folex have described their victories at the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) as “life-changing,” highlighting the platform’s role in boosting African creatives’ global visibility.
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The remarks came during a Media and Stakeholders’ Parley in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where artistes, regulators, executives, and media representatives reviewed AFRIMA’s impact on the regional music industry.
Career-Defining Wins
Juma Jux, winner of East African Artiste of the Year (Male), said the Lagos experience had transformed his career.
“Winning AFRIMA changed a lot for me. People who never spoke to me before now reach out. Being on a stage watched in over 84 countries gives you a new level of visibility and responsibility,” he said.
He also called for stronger collaborations between platforms like AFRIMA and government agencies to enhance exposure, training, and knowledge-sharing for artistes.
Similarly, Folex, winner of Best Music Video of the Year for Juma Jux’s Ololufemi, emphasised the award’s impact on his career.
“Being nominated alongside international names like Pink and TG Omori and then winning the award was life-changing. It showed that East Africans can compete and win at the highest level,” he said, adding that the recognition brought confidence to Tanzania’s music video industry.
AFRIMA as a Development Platform
Victoria Nkong, AFRIMA Associate Producer, said the awards go beyond trophies, serving as a development platform for African music:
“AFRIMA builds an ecosystem for African music, promoting talent, supporting industry growth, and creating pathways from local recognition to global visibility.”
She stressed the importance of deepening collaboration with East African governments and creatives to ensure the region’s music is well represented globally.
Tanzanian Support
Selemani Mabisso, Acting Assistant Director at Tanzania’s BASATA, confirmed the council’s readiness to partner with AFRIMA:
“BASATA supports initiatives that position our creatives competitively on the global stage,” he said.
The 9th AFRIMA
Held from January 7–11, 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria, the awards were organised by the African Union Commission and AFRIMA’s International Executive Committee, in partnership with the Lagos State Government.
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The five-day celebration included seven major events, such as the Africa Music Business Summit, AFRIMA Music Village at Ikeja City Mall, and a grand finale at the Eko Convention Centre, broadcast to audiences in 84 countries worldwide.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
