As anticipation builds for the 2025 edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), the organisers—working in collaboration with the African Union—have announced the appointment of three new members to its prestigious International Jury. The move is part of efforts to further enhance fairness, regional representation, and diversity in the award’s adjudication process.
The newly appointed jurors are Marwane Fachane from Morocco (Northern Africa), Asma Lucy Ilado from Kenya (Eastern Africa), and Messie Mboukou from Congo Brazzaville (Central Africa). They join an elite 14-member panel tasked with evaluating the continent’s finest musical talents for one of Africa’s most prominent music award events.
AFRIMA 2025 is scheduled to take place from 25 to 30 November in Lagos, Nigeria, and will be broadcast across over 84 countries worldwide.
According to the organisers, the addition of Fachane, Ilado, and Mboukou underscores AFRIMA’s dedication to an inclusive and transparent judging system, ahead of the entry submission deadline on 8 August 2025.
Marwane Fachane, Executive Director of Morocco’s Hiba Foundation, described his appointment as a privilege. “AFRIMA remains a vital platform to project African creativity globally. I hope more international institutions will invest in Africa’s booming creative economy,” he said.
Messie Mboukou, a seasoned France-based music communications and events executive, expressed excitement about the role. “Africa’s youth and cultural vibrancy are our greatest resources. I look forward to contributing to a credible, impactful judging process.”
Asma Lucy Ilado, a Kenyan journalist and cultural development consultant, praised AFRIMA’s legacy while honouring the late jurors Rab Bakari and Tabu Osusa. She called for increased investment in distribution, artist training, and copyright protection. “Platforms like AFRIMA connect Africa’s regions and strengthen the continent’s creative voice,” she said.
Welcoming the new members, AFRIMA’s Chief Experience Officer, Adenrele Niyi, said their inclusion would enrich the jury’s depth and regional insight.
“We are excited to have Lucy, Marwane, and Messie onboard. Their expertise across different regions will add fresh perspectives to the team. I look forward to seeing them in Lagos this August for the adjudication process—always a time of passion, debate, and discovery,” Niyi stated.
The full AFRIMA jury includes notable names such as Olisa Adibua (Jury-in-Charge), Emil Ngumbah (Cameroon), Joett (Tanzania), Hossam El Gamal (Egypt), Adam Tiran (South Africa), Delani Makhalima (Zimbabwe), Motolani Alake (Nigeria), Guy Neza (Côte d’Ivoire), and Hadja Kobele (North American diaspora), among others.
AFRIMA organisers also issued a reminder to artists, producers, and record labels across Africa and the diaspora: all entries must be submitted by 8 August 2025 via the official AFRIMA website. This is the final opportunity to be considered for recognition on Africa’s most prestigious music stage.
