As preparations intensify for the 2025 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), the organisers, in partnership with the African Union, have announced the appointment of three new members to its International Jury.

The 2025 edition of AFRIMA is set to take place in Lagos, Nigeria, from 25 to 30 November and will be broadcast in over 84 countries worldwide.

According to the organisers, the addition of new jury members comes ahead of the adjudication process, with the entry submission deadline set for 8 August.

Joining the 14-member jury are Marwane Fachane from Morocco (Northern Africa), Asma Lucy Ilado from Kenya (Eastern Africa), and Messie Mboukou representing Congo Brazzaville (Central Africa).

The awards body said the new appointments highlight its commitment to fair, inclusive judging and will help spotlight top musical talent across Africa.

Fachane, representing Morocco, is the Executive Director of the Hiba Foundation, a leading cultural institution supporting young creatives in music, film, and the arts.

He described his appointment as an honour, noting that AFRIMA is a vital platform for showcasing African talent globally. Fachane also emphasised the need for greater international support for the continent’s rapidly growing creative sector.

Mboukou, representing Congo Brazzaville, is a France-based music communications and events executive who has worked with numerous African artists and organised over 1,000 events worldwide.

He described Africa’s youth and culture as “its greatest assets” and pledged to contribute to “a fair and impactful judging process.”

Kenya’s Ilado, a journalist and cultural development consultant, expressed excitement about discovering emerging talents across the continent.

She paid tribute to late AFRIMA jurors Rab Bakari and Tabu Osusa, and called for increased investment in areas such as distribution, production, training, and rights protection. Ilado said platforms like AFRIMA “play a crucial role in uniting regions and strengthening Africa’s music industry.”

Welcoming the new additions, AFRIMA’s Chief Experience Officer (CXO), Adenrele Niyi, expressed confidence in their contributions.

She said, “We are delighted to welcome Lucy, Marwane, and Messie to the AFRIMA International Jury. We’ve already started on a warm and respectful note, and I’m optimistic about the energy and depth they’ll bring to the team.

“Each of them is a respected music professional with solid experience in their respective regions, and their inclusion this year adds a refreshing layer of perspective to our already diverse and highly skilled jury.

“Personally, I look forward to receiving the lovely lady and the fine gentlemen in Lagos, Nigeria, this August as we gather for the 2025 AFRIMA Adjudication Process. It’s always a special time—rigorous, engaging, and deeply inspiring—and I’m confident they will feel right at home.”

Other members of the AFRIMA jury include Olisa Adibua, Jury-in-Charge and Associate Producer; Vicensia Shule representing the African Union; Emil Ngumbah (Cameroon) for Central Africa; Joett (Tanzania) for Eastern Africa; Hossam El Gamal (Egypt) for Northern Africa; Adam Tiran (South Africa) and Delani Makhalima (Zimbabwe) for Southern Africa; Guy Neza (Côte d’Ivoire) and Motolani Alake (Nigeria) for Western Africa; and Hadja Kobele representing the North America diaspora.

Meanwhile, the organisers, in their statement, reminded musicians, producers, choreographers, and record labels that the deadline for entry submissions is 8 August 2025.

It urged interested participants across Africa and the diaspora to upload their music entries via the official AFRIMA website for a chance to be recognised on the prestigious AFRIMA stage.