The President/Executive Producer, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Mr. Mike Dada has explained reasons the 8th edition of the awards will take place in Senegal.

According to Dada, aside promoting the values of Senegalese people through the AFRIMA platform, the youths will be exposed to different opportunities inherent in the awards.

“The 8th AFRIMA in Senegal is officially tagged: ‘The Teranga Edition’, which encompasses the hospitality, warmth, generosity and sharing that are 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,” he stated

Earlier scheduled for next month, AFRIMA, which will now take place from January 12-15, 2023, would be the first time it’s holding in a francophone country. Expressing gratitude to the Senegalese government for accepting to host AFRIMA, Head, Culture and Social Affairs Division.

African Union Commission (AUC), Angela Martins, said the event will take place at a time the President of Senegal will be rounding off his chairmanship of the African Union.

“As you are aware, Senegal is known for its huge investment in arts, culture and heritage. The hosting of AFRIMA is thus a step in the right direction to bring back the beautiful city of Dakar to the map as one of the capital cities of music in Africa and the world,” she said.

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

“I can tell you that our ministry (Tourism) and the Senegalese government will partner and collaborate with you for a great success of AFRIMA in Senegal, because our President, Macky Sall is not only the president of the African Union but also wishes to position himself as the president of all African lovers of culture, which AFRIMA exudes.” he stated.

On his part, Senegal’s Minister of Culture and Communication, Aliou Sow, represented by Ousmane Barro Dione, Director General de La Compaignie Nationale de Theatre, Daniel Sorano, said, “We are honoured to welcome this huge event to this country, for the benefit of the young people in Senegal and the image of the country.”

AFRIMA’s Country Director in Senegal, Matar Diop said, “I thank the President and the government of Senegal for supporting this project that will change the creative industry and the tourism landscape of Senegal for good. We look forward to welcoming Africa and the world to Dakar, Senegal on January 12 to 15, 2023 with Nanga Def Africa!”

As the whole world gears towards the 8th edition of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, African music lovers are encouraged to keep voting intensively for their desired winners, using the voting portal live at www.afrima.org.

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 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.