Côte d’Ivoire has formally signalled its readiness to host a future edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), as preparations intensify for the landmark 10th ceremony.
The Deputy Director General of the Ivorian Bureau of Copyright, Serge Akpatou, made the declaration during the AFRIMA Francophone stakeholders’ meeting held Tuesday in Abidjan, according to a statement released on Thursday.
The Abidjan gathering , the second stop in the build-up to the 10th edition of the All Africa Music Awards , brought together government officials, culture industry leaders, artistes and media executives. The meeting underscored Côte d’Ivoire’s ambition to position Abidjan as a major hub for AFRIMA activities in Francophone Africa.
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Speaking at the forum, Akpatou said the awards platform plays a strategic role in strengthening Africa’s creative ecosystem.
“AFRIMA adds real value to Africa’s creative ecosystem. It promotes our artistes, strengthens intellectual property awareness, and connects us to the rest of the world,” he said.
“Abidjan has the capacity and the cultural depth to host a future edition, and we sincerely hope that opportunity will come,” he added.
Representing the Ivorian Minister of Culture and Francophonie, Hein Sie described AFRIMA as a tool for cultural diplomacy and economic advancement.
“Events like AFRIMA are important for our continental visibility. They celebrate African excellence, create opportunities for our creatives, and reinforce our identity.
“Côte d’Ivoire is proud of its artistes who have done us proud on a massive platform like AFRIMA, and we are ready to support initiatives that position our country as a creative force,” he said.
An International Jury member, Messie Mboukou, who represents Central Africa on the AFRIMA International Jury, stressed the need for sustained engagement with Francophone stakeholders.
“This gathering is not only about celebration. It is about dialogue, transparency, and building stronger bridges between artistes, the media, cultural institutions, policy makers, and AFRIMA.
“As we approach the 10th edition, continuous collaboration with Francophone Africa is vital for us not to be left out in the AFRIMA movement,” he said.
Addressing concerns about the awards’ credibility, Mboukou noted that the adjudication process remains rigorous and independently audited by a globally reputable firm.
The event also featured the formal presentation of the 9th AFRIMA trophy for Best Female Artiste in African Inspirational to Morijah, who had missed the main ceremony due to medical reasons.
“This award represents years of sacrifice and dedication. I am grateful to AFRIMA and Africa for recognising my work on such a respected global African platform,” she said.
Other winners shared testimonials on the impact of the platform. Zagba of Team Paiya said, “We did not expect to win. Being announced as winners has boosted our confidence and shown that our music can reach beyond Côte d’Ivoire.”
Didi B added, “This is not my first international award, but AFRIMA opened a wider network for me. I met artists from different countries, collaborated on songs, and even shot a music video with Qing Madi. Even if you don’t win, just being nominated gives you exposure that money cannot buy.”
DJ Moh Green reflected on his persistence: “I was nominated at AFRIMA four times, across four editions, before winning. Nobody promised me anything. This victory shows that consistency and dedication pay off.”
Axel Merryl commended the AFRIMA Music Village concert in Lagos for expanding his audience reach, while Milo said performing on such a large stage inspired him to aim higher in his career.
With momentum building toward its 10th anniversary, AFRIMA’s engagement in Abidjan signals a growing push to deepen Francophone Africa’s footprint in the continental music awards landscape.
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