The African music scene is nothing short of a force to be reckoned with. From the afrobeats of Nigeria to the Amapiano genre of South Africa, the continent is brimming with musical talents that have taken the world by storm. And what better way to honor these talented musicians than with music awards shows?
Yes, you heard that right, the African music industry has its own version of the Oscars, where an award or prize is given for skill or distinction in music. These events bring together the biggest namеs in African music as well as emerging artists looking to makе a name for themselves on the continent's biggest stage
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the best music awards shows in Africa. So, grab your popcorn and get ready to explore the best music award shows in Africa
All Africa Music Awards
The All Africa Music Awards, also known as AFRIMA, is an annual event that celebrates and recognizes the musical talents and creativity of artists throughout the African continent while promoting African cultural heritage. The awards were established in 2014 by the International Committee of AFRIMA, in collaboration with the African Union (AU). The committee is made up of five regions, including Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western, and Central Africa, each with its own set of regional and country directors
AFRIMA awards are determined by public votes and a jury panel of African culture, media, and music industry professionals who have extensive experience in the industry. The event aims to showcase and promote African music and culture, and it has grown in popularity over the years. With its focus on recognizing talent and creativity from all regions of Africa, the AFRIMA Awards have become one of the most prestigious music awards shows on the continent
The AFRIMA was hosted by Nigeria in the year 2014-2017 and again in the year 2019-2021, it was hosted in Ghana in 2018 and in 2022 by Senegal
Award categories
The AFRIMA awards have a total of 37 prize categories, which include region-based awards covering the five regions in Africa and continental awards that recognize the achievements of African artists across the continent
Continental Awards
Artiste of the Year
African Fans' Favorite
Album of the Year
Best African Collaboration
Best African Contemporary
Best African Electro
Best African Group/Duo/Band
Best African Hip Hop
Best African Jazz
Best African Pop
Best African Reggae/Ragga/Dancehall
Best African RnB/Soul
Best African Rock
Best African Traditional
Best Female Inspirational
Best Male Inspirational
Best African DJ
Best African Lyricist/Rapper
Best African Act in Diaspora
Best African Dance/Choreography
AFRIMA Legend Award
Most Promising Artiste of the Year
Producer of the Year
Revelation of the African Continent
Song of the Year
Songwriter of the Year
Video of the Year
All Africa Music Awards 2022
 The 2022 AFRIMA award saw the likes of Burna Boy who took home two of the night's most coveted awards: Best Act in Africa and Best Album of the Year
It was not just Burna Boy who was recognized as several other Nigerian artists also walked away with awards. Wizkid won the Best Act in West Africa award, while Davido won Best Male Act in African Inspirational Music. Adekunle Gold also awards for Best Act Group in African contemporary music and Best Act, Duo or Group in African Pop, featuring Davido
The Best Female Act in West Africa award went to Guinean singer Manamba Kanye, showcasing the diverse talents from across the continent. That said, the AFRIMA awards still remain one of the best awards in Africa and continue to showcase and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Africa
MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA)
MTV Africa Music Awards, or MAMAs, was established by MTV Networks Africa (now Viacom International Media Networks Africa) in 2008 to celebrate contemporary music in Africa. The show's creators, Alex Okosi, Jandre Louw, and Dudu Qubu, aimed to recognize the most popular African artists, and the show has since become a prominent platform for showcasing the continent's musical talents
The first MAMAs took place in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2008, with subsequent editions held in other African cities such as Lagos, Nairobi, Durban, and Johannesburg. After a three-year hiatus, the awards show returned for editions in Durban, South Africa, in 2014 and 2015, and Johannesburg, South Africa, hosted the award in 2016
 The MAMAs was supposed to take place in Kampala, Uganda, in 2021 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and since then has not been rescheduled
 Despite its ongoing break, the MTV Africa Music Awards have had a significant impact on contemporary African music and have honored the accomplishments of African musicians, high achievers, and notable individuals such as 2Face Idibia, AKA, Anselmo Ralph, Big Nuz, Cassper Nyovest, Clarence Peters, Cabo Snoop, Davido, D'Banj, Diamond Platnumz, Flavour, and Gangs of Ballet
Award categories
The MTV Africa Music Awards recognize and honor outstanding achievements in the vibrant and diverse music scene across Africa with categories such as:
Artist of the Year
Best Male
Best Female
Best New Act
Best Group
Best Live Act
Best Francophone
Best Lusophone
Best Pop/Alternative
Best Hip Hop
Best International
Legend Award
Best Collaboration in association with Absolut
Video of the Year
Song of the Year
Artist of the Year
Personality of the Year
MTV Base Africa Re-Imagined Award
MTV Africa Music Awards 2016
The 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards was a celebration of the finest musical talent on the continent. South African rapper Cassper Nyovest took home the Best Live Act award, while Angolan musician C4 Pedro was honored with the Best Lusophone award
Legendary South African jazz musician Hugh Masekela was posthumously awarded the Legend Award, a fitting tribute to a man who had dedicated his life to promoting African music and culture around the world
Nigerian singer Yemi Alade was crowned Best Female, while Ivorian artist Serge Beynaud took home the Best Francophone award. Kenyan group Sauti Sol won Best Group, while South African duo Kyle Deutsch and Shekhinah were recognized with the Best Pop & Alternative award
 Canadian rapper Drake was named Best International Act, while Nigerian superstar Wizkid took home the coveted Best Male Act award. Zimbabwean musician Jah Prayzah won the Listeners Choice award, and Congolese artist Youssoupha's "Niguer Ma Vie" was named Video of the Year
The Best Collaboration award went to South African and Nigerian artists DJ Maphorisa, Wizkid, and DJ Bucks, while South African athlete Caster Semenya was named Personality of the Year
South African rapper Emtee won the Best Hip Hop award, and Nigerian singer Tekno was named Best New Act. The Song of the Year award went to Nigerian artists Patoranking and Wande Coal, and finally Wizkid took home the Artist of the Year award
In conclusion, although there are several music award shows in Africa, the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) and the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) are highly regarded music awards shows in Africa that have played a key role in promoting African music and culture on the continent and beyond