Lagos has welcomed 1,216 artistes, delegates and members of the production team for the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards AFRIMA.
The figure was announced at the Welcome Soirée for nominees and guests held at the Residence of the British Deputy High Commissioner, which marked the official start of AFRIMA Week.
Speaking at the event, AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, Mike Dada, said the turnout reflects the growing influence of African music and how the awards, in partnership with the African Union Commission, are supporting creative economies across the continent.
He said, “This year’s AFRIMA has once again demonstrated the immense power and global pull of African music. As we speak, a total of 1,216 artistes, delegates, and members of our production team have arrived in Lagos. This number includes 732 artistes and managers, 301 delegates from across Africa and the diaspora, and 183 technical production professionals working tirelessly behind the scenes. You can imagine how that number can impact our economy, how much benefit Lagos’ tourism capacity demonstrates. It is huge for us and we are happy to work with the Lagos State Government and other partners to bring this benefit to our economy and our city.”
Dada said AFRIMA recognises music as a force that drives integration, inclusion, peace and economic growth within the creative industry.
“For us, AFRIMA is about connecting people. We do not see colour. What we see is talent, whether you are white, black, blue, or green. What matters to us is the humanity that exists in all of us. That shared humanity is what has informed our partnerships and our purpose,” he added.
He thanked the Lagos State Government and AFRIMA partners, including First Bank, Guinness, Glenfiddich and the Swedish Government, and appreciated the UK Government for hosting the event.
British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter said African music continues to strengthen ties between the UK, Nigeria and the continent, noting that Afrobeats is “now dominating the charts in the UK and across the globe.”
Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson Awoyinka, said the state remains committed to building an environment where creatives can grow and compete globally.
