Côte d’Ivoire has reaffirmed its readiness to host a future edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), as preparations accelerate toward the awards’ landmark 10th anniversary.
The announcement came on Tuesday during the AFRIMA Francophone stakeholders’ meeting in Abidjan, where Serge Akpatou, Deputy Director General of the Ivorian Bureau of Copyright, highlighted the country’s capacity to stage the continental music event.
A statement confirming the development was released on Thursday.
The Abidjan forum, the second engagement in the lead-up to AFRIMA’s milestone edition, brought together government officials, artistes, cultural industry leaders, and media executives.
The gathering underscored Côte d’Ivoire’s ambition to strengthen its role as a Francophone anchor for AFRIMA activities.
“AFRIMA adds real value to Africa’s creative ecosystem. It promotes our artistes, strengthens intellectual property awareness, and connects us to the rest of the world,” Akpatou said. “Abidjan has the capacity and cultural depth to host a future edition, and we sincerely hope that opportunity will come.”
Representing the Ivorian Minister of Culture and Francophonie, Hein Sie described AFRIMA as a tool for cultural diplomacy and economic growth.
“Events like AFRIMA are important for our continental visibility. They celebrate African excellence, create opportunities for our creatives, and reinforce our identity. Côte d’Ivoire is proud of its artistes who have excelled on a platform like AFRIMA, and we are ready to support initiatives that position our country as a creative force,” he added.
Messie Mboukou, a Central Africa representative on the AFRIMA International Jury, stressed the importance of continued engagement with Francophone stakeholders.
“This gathering is not only about celebration. It is about dialogue, transparency, and building stronger bridges between artistes, the media, cultural institutions, policymakers, and AFRIMA. Continuous collaboration with Francophone Africa is vital as we approach the 10th edition,” he said.
Addressing questions on the awards’ integrity, Mboukou confirmed that the adjudication process is structured, rigorous, and independently audited by a globally reputable firm.
The event also celebrated past winners. Morijah formally received her 9th AFRIMA trophy for Best Female Artiste in African Inspirational, having missed the main ceremony due to medical reasons.
“This award represents years of sacrifice and dedication. I am grateful to AFRIMA and Africa for recognising my work on such a respected global African platform,” she said.
Other artistes shared the impact of AFRIMA on their careers. Zagba of Team Paiya said, “Being announced as winners has boosted our confidence and shown that our music can reach beyond Côte d’Ivoire.”
Didi B highlighted the networking opportunities: “Even if you don’t win, just being nominated gives you exposure that money cannot buy. I met artists from different countries, collaborated on songs, and even shot a music video with Qing Madi.”
DJ Moh Green reflected on perseverance: “I was nominated four times across four editions before winning. This victory shows that consistency and dedication pay off.”
Axel Merryl praised the AFRIMA Music Village concert in Lagos for expanding his audience, while Milo said performing on such a large platform inspired him to “dream bigger” in his career.
