Tanzanian celebrities Juma Jux and Folex, who recently won the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in Lagos, Nigeria, described the platform as a major driver of global visibility for African creatives as industry stakeholders convened in Dar es Salaam to discuss the awards’ impact on the region’s music industry. Fresh from their victories at the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in Lagos, Nigeria, Tanzanian stars Juma Jux and Folex have described the platform as a major driver of global visibility for African creatives, as industry stakeholders met in Dar es Salaam to review the impact of the awards on the region’s music industry.
At a Media and Stakeholders’ Parley organised by AFRIMA’s International Committee, which brought together artists, regulators, music executives, and the media to examine opportunities created by the awards and how East Africa can better harness them, the award-winning artists shared their opinions.
Speaking at the event at the Urban by City Blue Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Juma Jux, the 9th AFRIMA’s East African Artiste of the Year (Male) winner, called the experience “career-defining”.
Jux remarked, “Winning AFRIMA changed a lot for me.” “People who had never communicated with me before now do so. Being on stage in front of more than 84 countries increases your visibility and sense of accountability.
Additionally, he advocated for more robust collaborations between Tanzanian government agencies and platforms such as AFRIMA. “Artists gain more from exposure, training, and knowledge sharing when institutions collaborate with platforms like AFRIMA,” he continued.
Speaking as well, Tanzanian music director Folex, who was awarded Best Music Video of the Year for his work on Juma Jux’s Ololufemi video, claimed the honour had transformed his life. He clarified that new networks and educational opportunities were made possible by the Lagos experience.
“Winning the award and being nominated with well-known international figures like Pink and TG Omori changed my life.” It demonstrated that East Africans are capable of competing and winning at the greatest level. “This award gives our creative industry more confidence and validates the work of Tanzanian music video directors,” he said.
According to Victoria Nkong, Associate Producer of AFRIMA, the awards have evolved from a showcase for talent to a powerful platform for the advancement of African artists.
According to Nkong, “AFRIMA is designed to build an ecosystem for African music.” “Beyond the awards, we prioritise industry development, talent promotion, and establishing avenues for African artists to transition from local to international recognition.”
The involvement in Tanzania, she continued, was crucial for strengthening cooperation with governmental organisations and business stakeholders.
East Africa and Tanzania have vibrant musical cultures. “To ensure that their music and talent are well represented on the global stage, AFRIMA is dedicated to working closely with institutions and creatives here,” she stated.
Selemani Mabisso, the National Arts Council of Tanzania’s Acting Assistant Director of the Music Department at BASATA, also spoke and reiterated the council’s readiness to collaborate with AFRIMA and other international organisations.
Mabisso stated, “BASATA is open to collaborations that will help grow and strengthen Tanzania’s music industry.” “We are prepared to back programmes that will put our creatives in a competitive position on the international scene.”
The African Union Commission and the International Executive Committee of AFRIMA, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government as the Official Host City, organised the 9th AFRIMA, which took place in Lagos, Nigeria, from January 7 to 11, 2026.
A Welcome Soiree, the Africa Music Business Summit, the AFRIMA Music Village at Ikeja City Mall, where over 25 top artists enthralled over 30,000 fans, and a grand finale at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, which was broadcast to audiences in 84 countries worldwide, were among the seven major events that took place during the five-day celebration of African music.
