Music legend 2Baba Idibia is among the top African stars and global music industry leaders expected to converge at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for a two-day event unveiling the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2025 calendar and host city.
The event, slated for May 13 to 14, 2025, is jointly organised by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Committee of AFRIMA.
Joining 2Baba as panelists at the AFRIMA 2025 music conference are South African star Makhadzi, Kenyan music sensation Nikita Kering, Ugandan award-winning artiste and music executive Eddy Kenzo, Ghanaian pop icon and 2018 AFRIMA Best Reggae/Ragga Artiste Stonebwoy, Ethiopian record label executive Bien Mekonnen, AFRIMA Regional Director and CEO of Yekwatu Mike Strano, and UK-based founder of Mamba Sounds Leo Fakhrul, among others.
Together, they will lead conversations on the future of African music and the continent’s creative economy under the theme Music Beyond Borders.
AFRIMA’s country director in Ethiopia Eyob Alemayehu said the highlight of the event will be the unveiling and official awarding of the winning host city for the 2025 edition.
“The excitement surrounding the hosting rights bid will hit its peak when the winning city is officially announced and awarded a certificate during the event,” he said.
Alemayehu also revealed that the official theme for AFRIMA 2025 – Africa’s biggest music event – will be announced during the programme, alongside activities representing the seven pillars of AFRIMA: Music Awards, Music Festival, AFRIMA Kreative Academy, Talent Discovery and Promotion, Africa Music Business Hub, Policy Debate and Advisory, and Advocacy.
According to him, day one will open with the music conference themed Music Beyond Borders, followed by the host city announcement and calendar unveiling.
The discussions will touch on key issues such as music industry policy, international collaborations and strategies for expanding Africa’s creative economy.
“It’s a fully loaded first day,” said Alemayehu.
“The Music Conference will kick off with the first panel session, ‘Borderless Beats: The Future of African Music in a Globalized World’, exploring how African sounds are resonating with global audiences.
“This will be followed by Panel Session 2, ‘Unlocking and Monetizing Africa’s Music Economy’, where top industry experts will discuss strategies to grow and sustain the continent’s creative sector.”
He added, “We are bringing some of these Africa’s most respected voices in music, and key industry leaders to Ethiopia because this is a crucial moment for the continent’s creative industry.
“Their insights and experiences are vital as we discuss and dissect the future of African music and explore strategies to grow a sustainable creative economy that speaks to both our heritage and our global aspirations.”
The day will conclude with the AFRIMA dinner and social networking event, an exclusive evening featuring AU and AFRIMA officials, artistes and industry stakeholders.
On the second day, delegates will explore Ethiopia’s rich cultural heritage through guided city tours, with visits to historical landmarks, museums and creative hubs.
“The unveiling of the AFRIMA 2025 Calendar and Host City is not just the beginning of another award season, it is a strong statement that Africa’s creative industry is moving forward,” Alemayehu said.
“This moment starts the journey to another exciting edition in 2025, where the continent and the diaspora will come together to celebrate our music and culture.”
