Organisers of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) have announced the addition of three new jury members from Morocco, Kenya and Congo Brazzaville ahead of the awards ceremony in November.
The new jurors are Marwane Fachane, executive director of the Hiba Foundation in Morocco; Messie Mboukou, a France-based music executive and consultant from Congo Brazzaville; and Asma Lucy Ilado, a journalist and cultural development expert from Kenya.
In a statement on Tuesday, the organisers said the inclusion of the new members is in line with AFRIMA’s mission to maintain a judging process that is professional, fair and reflective of Africa’s cultural diversity.
“This platform is key to celebrating African talent and showing the world what our continent can offer,” Fachane said.
Mboukou said his experience organising over 1,000 events across the world will benefit the awards process.
“I believe Africa’s greatest wealth is in its youth and culture. If we support young talent and work together, the future will be even brighter,” he said.
Ilado, who joins the East African bloc of the jury, paid tribute to former jurors Tabu Osusa and Rab Bakari, adding, “African music is full of energy and promise but more investment is needed in areas like distribution, training, and rights protection.”
Chief experience officer of AFRIMA, Adenrele Niyi, described the new jurors as respected professionals with solid regional experience.
“We are delighted to welcome Lucy, Marwane, and Messie to the AFRIMA International Jury… Each of them is a respected music professional with solid experience in their respective regions. Their inclusion this year adds a refreshing layer of perspective to our already diverse and highly skilled Jury,” she said.
“Personally, I look forward to receiving the lovely lady and the fine gentlemen in Lagos this August, as they join the rest of the Jury for the crucial task ahead,” she added.
The new jurors join existing members from across Africa and the diaspora including Nigeria’s Olisa Adibua, African Union’s Vicensia Shule, Emil Ngumbah (Cameroon), Joett (Tanzania), Hossam El Gamal (Egypt), Adam Tiran (South Africa), Delani Makhalima (Zimbabwe), Guy Neza (Côte d’Ivoire), Motolani Alake (Nigeria), and Hadja Kobele (Diaspora/North America).
AFRIMA also reminded artistes, producers and record labels that submission of entries for the 2025 edition will close on August 8. Eligible entries must have been released between August 9, 2023 and August 8, 2025, and should be submitted via the official AFRIMA website.
Founded by Nigerian media executive Mike Dada, AFRIMA was established in partnership with the African Union to celebrate and promote excellence in African music, while showcasing the continent’s rich cultural heritage to a global audience.
The 2025 AFRIMA ceremony will be held in Lagos, Nigeria, from November 25 to 30, and will be broadcast to more than 84 countries worldwide.
