Algeria signals interest in hosting AFRIMA as awards expand across Africa

Algeria has formally expressed interest in hosting a future edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), marking a potential expansion of the African Union Commission-backed pan-African music platform into North Africa.

The development followed a meeting in Abidjan between Algeria’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, His Excellency Mohamed Abdelaziz Bouguetaia, and the 9th AFRIMA Best African DJ winner, DJ Moh Green. The award-winning DJ, accompanied by AFRIMA Associate Producer Victoria Nkong, presented his AFRIMA trophy to the ambassador during the visit.

Algeria’s expression of interest comes shortly after Côte d’Ivoire also indicated its readiness to host a future edition of the awards, underlining growing competition among African nations to stage the continent’s flagship music event.

Commending the artiste’s continental achievement, Ambassador Bouguetaia said:

“DJ Moh Green has made Algeria proud. He has carried our flag high and demonstrated that Algerian music has a strong voice in Africa and beyond. AFRIMA’s reach across the continent and its influence on youth and cultural policy are impressive. Algeria is open to hosting AFRIMA in the future and ready to explore that possibility.”

In her response, Victoria Nkong described Algeria’s expression of interest as evidence of AFRIMA’s rising continental relevance and institutional strength.

“AFRIMA was created to unite Africa through music and to project our creative industry as a global economic force. We have witnessed the transformative impact of hosting in countries like Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal. The growing interest from countries across the continent affirms that AFRIMA is not just an awards ceremony, but a Pan-African institution.”

DJ Moh Green described the meeting as both emotional and historic from his perspective as an Algerian artiste.

“For me, this is bigger than an award. Presenting my AFRIMA trophy to my country’s ambassador is a proud moment,” he said. “It shows that African music connects governments, creatives and young people. Seeing Algeria show interest in hosting AFRIMA proves that we believe in African music and in our place in the continental conversation.”

With Algeria now exploring the possibility of hosting, the move signals continued momentum for one of Africa’s premier music awards platforms as it broadens its footprint and deepens cultural integration across the continent.

In partnership with the African Union since 2014, AFRIMA has grown into one of the continent’s most prominent and enduring cultural platforms. Designed to unite Africa across geographical, linguistic and cultural lines, the awards showcase African creative talent to a global audience while promoting the continent’s cultural and economic influence.

Beyond recognising musical excellence, AFRIMA plays a strategic role in youth empowerment, creative industry development, tourism and cultural diplomacy. Previous host countries, including Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal, have demonstrated the awards’ capacity to generate measurable economic and cultural impact, strengthening its reputation as a tourism, media and economic catalyst.

Each AFRIMA Awards Week attracts more than 5,000 visitors to the host city, including nominees, past winners, international delegates, government officials, media professionals, global production teams, tourists and fans. The week-long programme features the Africa Music Business Summit, the AFRIMA Music Village, industry networking sessions and the flagship Main Awards ceremony, delivering substantial visibility and commercial activity to host destinations. The annual ceremony is broadcast live to audiences in more than 84 countries worldwide.