As anticipation builds for the 2025 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), organisers—working in collaboration with the African Union—have announced the appointment of three new members to its prestigious International Jury.
The newly appointed jurors are Marwane Fachane from Morocco (Northern Africa), Asma Lucy Ilado from Kenya (Eastern Africa), and Messie Mboukou representing Congo Brazzaville (Central Africa). Their addition brings the total jury count to 14, ahead of the adjudication process for this year’s awards.
The 2025 edition of AFRIMA will be hosted in Lagos, Nigeria, from 25 to 30 November and will be broadcast to audiences in over 84 countries worldwide.
Fachane, Executive Director of Morocco’s Hiba Foundation, called his appointment an honour, describing AFRIMA as a key platform for elevating African talent on the global stage. He also stressed the importance of increased international backing for Africa’s creative industries.
Mboukou, a France-based music events executive and communications strategist, praised the continent’s youth and culture as its “greatest assets” and promised to ensure a fair and impactful judging process.
Ilado, a journalist and cultural consultant from Kenya, expressed excitement at discovering fresh talent from across the continent. She also honoured the legacy of late jurors Rab Bakari and Tabu Osusa, calling for deeper investment in music distribution, training, and rights protection.
AFRIMA Chief Experience Officer, Adenrele Niyi, warmly welcomed the new members.
“We are delighted to welcome Lucy, Marwane, and Messie to the AFRIMA International Jury,” she said. “Their expertise will bring fresh perspective and energy to this already dynamic team.”
Other jury members include Olisa Adibua (Jury-in-Charge), Vicensia Shule (African Union), Joett (Tanzania), Emil Ngumbah (Cameroon), Adam Tiran (South Africa), Delani Makhalima (Zimbabwe), Motolani Alake (Nigeria), and Guy Neza (Côte d’Ivoire), among others.
The organisers also reminded African artists, producers, and creatives that the deadline for submission of entries is 8 August 2025. Submissions can be uploaded via the official AFRIMA website.
