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If nominations were a concert, Ghana would be headlining.
The 2026 African Music Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) nominations have landed, and Team Ghana has every reason to celebrate. From chart-topping musicians to producers, dancers, DJs and music video directors, Ghanaian creatives have secured an impressive showing across some of the continent’s biggest categories.
Leading the charge is Black Sherif, who clearly didn’t come to make up the numbers. The award-winning artiste emerged as one of Ghana’s most nominated acts, earning recognition in Best Male West Africa, Best Male Rap Act, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for So It Goes, and AFRIMMA Album of the Year for his critically acclaimed project IRONBOY.
In short, Blacko will have a very busy awards night if the trophies decide to travel with him.
Moliy also continues her remarkable rise beyond Ghana’s borders. The singer picked up nominations for Best Female West Africa, Best Female Reggae/Dancehall, and Song of the Year for her global smash Shake It to the Max, featuring Jamaican stars Shenseea and Skillibeng. The song has already crossed oceans, and now it is making waves on one of Africa’s biggest awards stages.
Flying the flag for Ghana’s female music scene is rising star Enam, who joins Moliy in the race for Best Female West Africa, proving that Ghana’s women are no longer knocking on the industry’s door. They are confidently walking through it.
Ghana’s dancehall kingdom also has a familiar representative. Shatta Wale earned a nomination for Best Male Reggae/Dancehall, reinforcing his status as one of Africa’s most enduring voices in the genre.
The rap queens were not left out either. Eno Barony and Freda Rhymz secured nominations for Best Female Rap Act, while Black Sherif doubles his workload with another appearance in the Best Male Rap Act category.
Behind every hit record is a creative army, and Ghana’s behind-the-scenes talent is getting its flowers too. Renowned producer MOG Beatz received a nomination for Music Producer of the Year, while dance sensations Incredible Zigi, Dancegod Lloyd and Hooliboy all booked places in the Best African Dancer category.
The DJs also made sure the turntables kept spinning. DJ Sly King earned a nomination for Best DJ Africa, while DJ Akua will compete for Best African DJ USA Based. Acclaimed visual storyteller Babs Direction also flew Ghana’s flag with a nomination for Best Video Director.
Then came the veteran who needed no introduction.
Sarkodie received a nomination for the prestigious AFRIMMA Timeless Impact Award, a category reserved for artistes whose influence has shaped African music far beyond chart positions and streaming numbers. It is less about today’s hit and more about a career that has stood the test of time.
Meanwhile, award-winning duo DopeNation will represent Ghana in the Best African Group category, continuing their quest to prove that two heads really can produce twice the hits.
The nominations once again highlight Ghana’s growing influence on the African music scene. Established superstars, rising talents and creative powerhouses are all sharing the spotlight, reminding the continent that Ghana isn’t just participating in African music’s success story. It is helping write the soundtrack.
With competition expected from some of Africa’s biggest names, the race for AFRIMMA glory promises plenty of excitement. One thing, however, is already beyond debate. Ghana has shown up, and it has shown up in style.
Full List of AFRIMMA 2026 Nominees
1. Best Male West Africa
- Davido (Nigeria)
- Black Sherif (Ghana)
- BNXN (Nigeria)
- Rema (Nigeria)
- Asake (Nigeria)
- Didi B (Ivory Coast)
- Djodje (Cape Verde)
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Wizkid (Nigeria)
- Ruger (Nigeria)
- Dino Santiago (Cape Verde)
2. Best Female West Africa
- Enam (Ghana)
- Tems (Nigeria)
- Josey (Ivory Coast)
- Viviane Chidid (Senegal)
- Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- Moliy (Ghana)
- Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
- Mariam Ba Lagare (Mali)
- Teni (Nigeria)
- Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
3. Best Male East Africa
- Lij Michael (Ethiopia)
- Marioo (Tanzania)
- Eddy Kenzo (Uganda)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Juma Jux (Tanzania)
- Bien (Kenya)
- Mbosso (Tanzania)
- Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
- Single Dee (South Sudan)
- Barnaba (Tanzania)
4. Best Female East Africa
- Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
- Veronica Adane (Ethiopia)
- Bridget Blue (Kenya)
- Zuchu (Tanzania)
- Nikita Kering (Kenya)
- Ariel Wayz (Rwanda)
- Njerae (Kenya)
- Winnie Nwagi (Uganda)
- Salemia (Ethiopia)
5. Best Male Central Africa
- Matias Damásio (Angola)
- Dadju (DR Congo)
- TayC (Cameroon)
- Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)
- Calema (São Tomé & Príncipe)
- Gims (DR Congo)
- Gerilson Israel (Angola)
- Ko-C (Cameroon)
6. Best Female Central Africa
- Anna Joyce (Angola)
- Rebo (DR Congo)
- Krys M (Cameroon)
- Blanche Bailly (Cameroon)
- Cindy Le Coeur (DR Congo)
- Espoir La Tigresse (Gabon)
- Jessy B (Republic of the Congo)
- Emma’a (Gabon)
7. Best Male Southern Africa
- Scott Maphuma
- Nutty O
- Yo Maps
- DJ Maphorisa
- Zeze Kingston
- Cassper Nyovest
- William Last KRM
- Kabza De Small
8. Best Female Southern Africa
- Mawhoo
- Tamy Moyo
- Charma Gal
- Babalwa M
- Hanna
- Uncle Waffles
- Bombshell Grenade
- Makhadzi
- Tyla
9. Best Male North Africa
- Wegz
- Stormy
- Adviser
- Amr Diab
- Marwan Moussa
- ElGrandeToto
- DJ Snake
- Cheb Momo
10. Best Female North Africa
- Marwa Loud
- Chirine Lajmi
- Manal
- Souhila Ben Lachhab
- Sherine
- Latifa
- Kenza Morsli
- Zina Daoudia
11. Crossing Boundaries with Music Award
- Burna Boy
- Aya Nakamura
- Rema
- Davido
- Toby Nwigwe
- Flavour
- Wizkid
- Fally Ipupa
- Odeal
12. Best Newcomer
- Lisandro Cuxi
- Mavo
- Abigail Chams
- 6uff
- Lava Lava
- Florito
- Toxic Lyrikali
- Fola
13. Artist of the Year
- Asake
- Fally Ipupa
- Diamond Platnumz
- Burna Boy
- Rema
- Tyla
- Tems
- Davido
- Bien
14. Best Gospel
- Mercy Chinwo
- Prosper Germoh
- Christina Shusho
- Miguel Buila
- Bidemi Olaoba
- Deborah Lukalu
- Joel Lwaga
- Moïse Mbiye
- Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye
15. Best Female Rap Act
- Rosa Ree
- Eno Barony
- Bombshell Grenade
- Freda Rhymz
- Moozlie
- Ssaru
- Ami Yerewolo
- Candy Bleakz
16. Best Male Rap Act
- Odumodublvck
- Jeriq
- Ninho
- Black Sherif
- A-Reece
- 6uff
- Blxckie
- Yung Lunya
- Phyno
- Himra
17. Best Collaboration
- Bien & Alikiba — Finale
- BNXN & Sarz — Back Outside
- Davido & Omah Lay — With You
- Diamond Platnumz ft. Juma Jux — Joy
- Patoranking ft. Ruger — Shake That
- Fally Ipupa ft. Wizkid — Jam
- Jazzworx & Tukuthela — Bengicela
- Flavour ft. Baaba Maal — Afroculture
- Marvais Djo ft. Kano Choir — Pile
18. Song of the Year
- Davido ft. Omah Lay — With You
- BNXN & Sarz — Back Outside
- Bien & Alikiba — Finale
- Diamond Platnumz ft. Juma Jux — Joy
- Moliy ft. Shenseea & Skillibeng — Shake It to the Max
- Black Sherif — So It Goes
- Ciza — Isaka (6AM)
- Young Jonn — Elumelu
- DopeNation — Kakalika
- Marvais Djo ft. Kano Choir — Pile
- DJ Kedjevara — Ça Fait Mal
19. Best Video Director
- Hanscana
- Director Pink
- Elias Belkader
- Mateo Da Silva
- TG Omori
- Babs Direction
- Jake Zaral
- Dammy Twitch
20. Best DJ Africa
DJ Spinall, DJ Dollar, Uncle Waffles, DJ Obi, DJ Tunez, DJ Sly King, DJ Commissioner Wysei, DJ Nelasta, Major League DJs, DJ Kaywise, DJ Dope Caesar and DJ Moh.
21. Best African DJ USA Based
DJ Kuncept, DJ Akua, DJ Prince, DJ Bode, DJ Chelsea, DJ Shinski, DJ Birame BB L’amour, DJ Oreo, Lex and Answer and DJ Nani.
22. Music Producer of the Year
Masterkraft, Andre Vibez, 207, Dlala Thukzin, Magicsticks, MOG Beatz, Xduppy and London.
23. Best African Dancer
Masaka Dance Kids, Incredible Zigi, Poco Lee, Ghetto Kids, Angel Nyigu, Hope Ramafalo, Wet Bad Gang, Dancegod Lloyd and Hooliboy.
24. Best Male Reggae/Dancehall
Valiant, Mr. Killa, Patoranking, Shatta Wale, Skillibeng, Vybz Kartel, Popcaan and Kranium.
25. Best Female Reggae/Dancehall
Shenseea, Jada Kingdom, Moliy, Spice, Koffee, Lila Iké, Shaneil Muir and Vanessa Bling.
26. Best African Group
Disco Misr, Calema, Show Dem Camp, Toofan, DopeNation, Team Paiya, Mi Casa and Bracket.
27. AFRIMMA Album of the Year
- Black Sherif — IRONBOY
- Omah Lay — Clarity of Mind
- Asake — M$NEY
- Tyla — A-Pop
- Burna Boy — No Sign of Weakness
- Lloyiso — Never Thought I Could
- Davido — 5ive
- Leigh-Anne — My Ego Told Me To
- Himra — SORRY I’M BAD
28. Best African USA Based Artist
Kwate, Bills, Mannywellz, Moses Sumney, Libianca, Palmwine Tappers Band, Detty K, J Pako and Emma Nyra.
29. AFRIMMA Timeless Impact Award
Timaya, Amr Diab, Sarkodie, Nameless, Oskido, Kcee, Slap Dee, Bebe Cool, Flavour and Mafikizolo.
30. African Athlete of the Year
- Victor Osimhen
- Serhou Guirassy
- Ademola Lookman
- Achraf Hakimi
- Pascal Siakam
- Faith Kipyegon
- Nnamdi Madubuike
