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Organisers of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) have officially announced Nigerian rapper and actor Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, alongside Moroccan-Senegalese actress and TV personality Liliane Maroune, as the official hosts for the ninth edition of the continental music awards.
The announcement was made in a statement released on Monday, confirming that the highly anticipated event will hold in Lagos from January 7 to January 11, 2026. The ceremony is being organised by the International Executive Committee of AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union Commission, with strong support from the Lagos State Government.
With this appointment, Falz becomes only the second Nigerian to host AFRIMA since its inception, following music legend 2Baba, who co-presented the maiden edition in 2014. His selection is being seen as a nod to his versatility, cultural relevance, and strong connection with African youth across generations.
Over the years, AFRIMA has featured a diverse lineup of hosts drawn from different parts of Africa and the diaspora. Past presenters include 2Baba (Nigeria) and Maryse Acotie (Togo) in 2014; DNG (Kenya) and Aurélie Eliam (Côte d’Ivoire) in 2015; Ahmed Soultan (Morocco), Bonang Matheba (South Africa) and Ika De Jong (DRC) in 2016; Akon (Senegal/United States) and Sophy Aiida (Cameroon) in 2017; Michael Blackson (Ghana/USA), Pearl Thusi (South Africa) and Anita Erskine (Ghana) in 2018; Pearl Thusi and Eddie Kadi (DRC/UK) in 2019 and 2021; as well as Ahmed Sylla (France/Senegal), Sophy Aiida, and Pearl Thusi at the eighth edition held in January 2023.
Explaining the rationale behind the choice of this year’s hosts, Nde Ndifonka, AFRIMA’s Regional Director for Central Africa, highlighted the unique strengths both personalities bring to the global stage.
“FalzTheBahdGuy brings intelligence, strong ideas and a powerful African voice that connects with both young and old audiences,” Ndifonka said.
He added that Liliane Maroune represents a blend of elegance, modernity, and cross-cultural appeal.
“Liliane embodies elegance, diversity and the contemporary African woman with international influence. Together, they clearly show the strength and richness of African music and culture. They both understand Africa, speak for Africa and live the African experience in their own ways.”
The organisers also released details of activities lined up for the five-day celebration, which has been described as Africa’s biggest music awards gathering. Events will officially commence on Wednesday, January 7, with a Welcome Soirée for invited guests and nominees, scheduled to hold at the British Deputy High Commission House in Lagos.
On Thursday, January 8, attention will shift to the Africa Music Business Summit, which will take place at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites. The summit is expected to bring together policymakers, music executives, creatives, and stakeholders from across the continent to discuss trends, opportunities, and the future of Africa’s music industry.
The celebration continues on Friday, January 9, with the AFRIMA Music Village, set to hold at Ikeja City Mall, Alausa, where fans will engage directly with artistes through performances, exhibitions, and interactive experiences.
A Nominees and Industry Party is scheduled for Saturday, January 10, offering an exclusive networking platform for artistes, producers, and industry executives ahead of the grand finale.
The climax of the week-long event will be the Main Awards Ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, January 11, at the Eko Convention Centre. According to the organisers, the red carpet will commence at 3:00 pm (WAT), with the awards ceremony broadcast live to audiences in more than 84 countries worldwide.
With Falz and Liliane Maroune at the helm, expectations are high that the 9th AFRIMA will deliver a vibrant celebration of African creativity, culture, and global influence.
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