AFRIMA Appoints Three New Jury Members Ahead of 2025 Awards in Lagos

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

The new jurors  Marwane Fachane (Morocco), Asma Lucy Ilado (Kenya), and Messie Mboukou (Congo Brazzaville)  will join the 14-member panel ahead of the 2025 adjudication process, scheduled to take place in Lagos, Nigeria, from 25 to 30 November 2025.

According to AFRIMA, the appointments are aimed at reinforcing the platform’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and regional representation in its evaluation of Africa’s top musical talents.

Meet the New Jury Members

Marwane Fachane, representing Northern Africa, is the Executive Director of the Hiba Foundation — a leading Moroccan institution supporting creatives in music, film, and culture. Fachane described his appointment as an honour and lauded AFRIMA as a key force for global visibility of African music.

“AFRIMA is a vital platform for showcasing African talent globally,” he said.
“There’s an urgent need for greater international support for the continent’s rapidly growing creative sector.”

Representing Central Africa, Messie Mboukou is a France-based music communications and events executive who has worked with various African artists and organised over 1,000 global events.

“Africa’s youth and culture are its greatest assets,” Mboukou stated, pledging his commitment to “a fair and impactful judging process.”

Asma Lucy Ilado of Kenya, a journalist and cultural development consultant, will represent Eastern Africa on the jury. She expressed excitement about her role and the opportunity to identify emerging talents.

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

Organisers React

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

“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,” Niyi said.

“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,” she added.

“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.”

Full AFRIMA Jury for 2025

The full list of jury members includes:

Olisa Adibua – Jury-in-Charge/Associate Producer

Vicensia Shule – African Union Representative

Emil Ngumbah (Cameroon) – Central Africa

Joett (Tanzania) – Eastern Africa

Hossam El Gamal (Egypt) – Northern Africa

Adam Tiran (South Africa) & Delani Makhalima (Zimbabwe) – Southern Africa

Guy Neza (Côte d’Ivoire) & Motolani Alake (Nigeria) – Western Africa

Hadja Kobele – North America Diaspora

Submission Deadline Nears

AFRIMA also issued a reminder to musicians, producers, choreographers, and record labels across Africa and the diaspora that the deadline for entry submission is 8 August 2025.

Participants are encouraged to submit their works via the official AFRIMA website for a chance to gain recognition on one of Africa’s most prestigious musical platforms.

CHANNELS