Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria Join Race to Host 10th AFRIMA Awards

Algeria has initiated talks regarding the potential to host an upcoming edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), which could uniquely bring the African Union Commission-supported music initiative to North Africa for the first time. This indication of interest became clear during a discussion in Abidjan between Algeria’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, His Excellency Mohamed Abdelaziz Bouguetaia, and DJ Moh Green, the winner of AFRIMA’s 9th Best African DJ award.

The meeting was symbolic as the Algerian DJ presented his AFRIMA accolade to the ambassador, highlighting the increasing acknowledgment of Algerian music within the continental awards sphere.

Praising the artist's success, Ambassador Bouguetaia remarked that this recognition signifies Algeria’s growing footprint in Africa’s creative landscape.

“DJ Moh Green has elevated Algeria’s reputation. He has showcased our culture and proven that Algerian music holds significant importance in Africa and beyond. The influence of AFRIMA spans the continent and affects youth and cultural policy in notable ways. Algeria is willing to consider the hosting of AFRIMA in the future and is prepared to pursue that option.”

This development follows Côte d’Ivoire's recent expression of interest in hosting a future edition of the awards, illustrating the intensifying rivalry among African nations aspiring to host the continent’s leading music event.

Victoria Nkong, Associate Producer of AFRIMA, who joined DJ Moh Green at the meeting, remarked that the increasing interest from African governments highlights the platform’s growing impact in the cultural and creative industries across the continent.

“AFRIMA was established to unify Africa via music and to elevate our creative sector as a vital global economic player. We have seen the transformative benefits in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal. The rising interest from various nations shows that AFRIMA is much more than just an awards gala; it is a Pan-African entity.”

For DJ Moh Green, this occasion held significant national pride as well as personal importance.

“To me, this represents more than just an award. Handing my AFRIMA trophy to my country’s ambassador is a moment of immense pride,” he stated. “It demonstrates that African music fosters connections between governments, artists, and youth. Algeria’s interest in hosting AFRIMA reflects our belief in the value of African music and our role in the broader continental dialogue.”