Davido and Tems shine on AFRIMMA winners list

Davido and Tems shine on AFRIMMA winners list

Nigerian music stars delivered an impressive showing at the 2026 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA), with Davido and Tems among the headline winners at a ceremony that celebrated talent from across Africa and its diaspora.

Held on September 12 in Dallas, Texas, the awards recognised achievements across 41 categories, bringing together artists, entertainers and creative professionals from different parts of the continent. While Nigeria recorded several notable victories, the results also highlighted the diversity and collective strength of African entertainment.

Davido and Tems lead Nigeria’s strong showing

Davido secured one of the ceremony’s biggest honours, winning Album of the Year for his fifth studio album, 5ive. Tems was named Best Female West Africa, while Ruger won Best Male West Africa.

Other Nigerian winners included Phyno, who received Best Male Rap Act; Fola, who won Best Newcomer; and Mercy Chinwo, recognised in the Best Gospel category.

DJ Tunez took Best DJ Africa, Patoranking won Best Male Reggae/Dancehall, and producer London received Music Producer of the Year. Other Nigerian recipients included Victony, Director Pink, Nasty Blaq, Uche Montana, Real Warri Pikin and footballer Victor Osimhen.

The range of winners demonstrates Nigeria’s influence across several areas of entertainment, from music and production to comedy, digital culture and sports.

BNXN and Sarz claim a major victory

One of the ceremony’s notable talking points was BNXN and Sarz winning Song of the Year for Back Outside.

The victory came in a competitive category that also featured Davido and Omah Lay’s With You, alongside works by artists from other African countries. The result gave BNXN and Sarz a major win and highlighted the contribution of collaboration between artists and producers to the continent’s evolving music industry.

Davido’s Album of the Year recognition and the Song of the Year victory for BNXN and Sarz gave Nigeria two major music honours, although the significance of the night extended well beyond these achievements.

A celebration beyond Nigeria

AFRIMMA 2026 was not a Nigerian-only victory. Congolese star Fally Ipupa won Artist of the Year and the Crossing Boundaries with Music Award. Tanzanian performers Diamond Platnumz and Juma Jux won Best Collaboration, while South African singer Tyla received Best Female Southern Africa.

Ghanaian group Dope Nation also won Best African Group, while artists from other regions received recognition in their respective categories.

These results reinforce what AFRIMMA represents: a platform where African creativity can be recognised across national, linguistic and cultural boundaries. Nigeria’s achievements deserve celebration, but so do the victories of artists carrying the sounds and stories of their own countries to wider audiences.

One continent, many victories

For fans, award ceremonies provide an opportunity to celebrate their favourite artists, discover new voices and recognise the people shaping the music they enjoy. They also create a record of achievement that can encourage emerging talent and strengthen the visibility of African entertainment internationally.

More importantly, the results remind us that African progress does not have to be measured by one country’s success against another. Davido and Tems can inspire pride in Nigeria, just as Fally Ipupa, Diamond Platnumz, Juma Jux and Tyla represent important achievements for their respective countries.

Different nations may have different sounds, languages and cultural identities, but they share a common heritage and a growing global presence.

The trophies may have individual winners, but the wider victory belongs to African creativity. Through resilience, talent and continued collaboration, African artists are building opportunities that reach beyond borders. When one part of the continent rises, it helps show what is possible for the rest.

AFRIMMA 2026 was therefore more than a list of winners. It was a celebration of individual excellence and a reminder of what Africa can achieve when its creative voices are recognised together.