Tanzanian singer Juma Jux has described his win at the 9th All Africa Music Awards AFRIMA in Lagos, Nigeria, as a major turning point in his career.
Jux spoke at a Media and Stakeholders’ Parley in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, organised by the AFRIMA International Committee to assess the impact of the awards on creatives in East Africa.
“Winning AFRIMA changed a lot for me,” Jux said. “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.”
At the 2026 ceremony in Lagos, Juma Jux won Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa. The event formed part of a week long celebration that included performances, industry sessions and networking activities involving artists and stakeholders from across the continent.
Jux said platforms like AFRIMA should work more closely with government agencies in Tanzania to help local artistes gain exposure, access training and build sustainable careers.
Also speaking at the event, Tanzanian music director Folex, who won Best Music Video of the Year for his work on Juma Jux’s Ololufemi video, said the award had opened new professional opportunities for him.
“Being nominated alongside international names like Pink and TG Omori and then winning the award was life changing for me,” he said. “It showed that East Africans can compete and win at the highest level.”
Victoria Nkong, Associate Producer of AFRIMA, said the awards were designed to support industry development, talent growth and global visibility for African music beyond the presentation of trophies.
The 9th AFRIMA ceremony in Lagos celebrated artistes from across Africa, with Nigerian singer Rema emerging as one of the biggest winners on the night.
Juma Jux is married to Nigerian media personality Priscilla Ojo, daughter of Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo.
