All is now set for the 2023 All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA. The Senegalese government accepted to host the 8th edition of the entertainment event at a joint world media conference held recently in Dakar, Senegal. Present at the conference were government officials and other international dignitaries.

The awards ceremony will be held from January 12 to 15, 2023, in Dakar, Senegal, shifting the previous date up by four weeks as jointly announced by The International Committee of AFRIMA, The African union commission and The Republic of Senegal. This also means that the voting deadline for the nominees will now be moved to January 13, 2023. This will be the first time the main awards ceremony will be held in a francophone country after past editions.

The Head Culture Division, Social Affairs Division, African Union Commission (AUC), Angela Martins, said that the African Union is excited to have the awards held in a francophone region, “The AUC has been a strong partner and collaborator of the prestigious awards since its first edition in 2014. AFRIMA has grown to become the only continental platform that aims to promote and disseminate musical works and immeasurable talent of African Musicians from both young and old generations.

In his acceptance speech, Senegal’s Minister of Tourism and Air Transport, HE Mr. Alioune Sarr, represented by Phillipe Ba said, “Personally and on behalf of Senegalese government, welcome to Sénégal, the home of the champions of football. Now Sénégal is also positioning herself to become the champions of music because we are hosting the 8th AFRIMA. We are happy knowing that Sénégal becomes the third country and the first Francophone country to host this great event.”

The 8th AFRIMA in Senegal is officially tagged the Teranga edition which encompasses the good hospitality, warmth, generosity and sharing that is the core to Senegalese life. In addition to celebrating Africa in a magical way and promoting the values of Senegalese people globally through the AFRIMA platform, the youths, who are the central focus of the 8th edition will be exposed to opportunities in the creative economy and new music business models, monetization in music, intellectual property rights and licensing as well as collaborations with other global African music superstars that will be participating in 8th AFRIMA in Dakar,’’ explained AFRIMA’s President and Executive Producer, Mike Dada.

The event is scheduled to commence on Thursday January 12, 2023, with a courtesy visit to the President of the Host Country, while a host city tour, school visit and gift presentation (as part of AFRIMA’s CSR), as well as a welcome soiree will be held on the same day.

The 4-day event continues on Friday January 13, 2023, with the African Music Business Summit and the AFRIMA Urban Music Fest; while the main rehearsals and nominees exclusive party will be held on Saturday January 14, 2023; the event will climax on Sunday January 15, 2023, with the live awards ceremony broadcast by 104 TV Stations to over 84 countries around the world.