The All Africa Music Awards, also called Afrima, a major annual awards ceremony for players in the world of music, are being prepared. The ceremony, which marks the largest African musical and cultural event, with a budget of more than 3 billion CFA francs, is scheduled for December 8-11, 2022 in Dakar. Rehearsals are underway for a colorful show, ranging from red carpet, fashion and artist performances. You can’t miss it on ITV.
After Nigeria, which hosted the first three editions of these Awards during the period 2014 to 2016, before handing over to Ghana, organizer for four consecutive years from December 2018 to 2021, the organizing committee has extended its choice to Dakar, to host the next edition.
During their visit to Emedia this Wednesday, October 19, the Afrima team, led by the event’s associate producer, Victoria Nkong, announced that they had met with the Senegalese authorities, including the new Minister of Culture, Aliou Sow and Tourism, and Leisure, Mame Mbaye Niang.
In general, he explains that the goal is to unite Africa through music. Because during Afrima, the African capital, host of the event, receives more than 500 visitors including great African artists, diplomats, movie stars, among other personalities, “to sell our culture. The main challenge is to “show black excellence” (black excellence).
Therefore, it is about “showing the rest of the world what Africans can do and do well”. So, “we had to start in countries that already have the necessary logistics and technology. If we had chosen a country that does not have what it takes, especially at the beginning, we risk minimizing the event. And it is not this image that we wanted to sell to the world. We start where the necessary infrastructure is located. »
After 7 years of success, the organizers want to turn to Francophone Africa, to allow their countries to take advantage of the opportunities generated by the event. Among the attractions of the Senegalese capital is first of all the current presidency held by the Senegalese head of state, Macky Sall, at the head of the African Union (AU). So, “we know Senegal as the country of African music. Before they were leaders. Today, this is no longer what it used to be, but we are interested in Dakar being the first French-speaking country” to host the event, he justified. Finally, “it is the country of Teranga (hospitality)”.
Dakar will also serve as a forum to discuss issues facing the sector, including a major conference on the theme of “music business”. Previously, issues around copyright, digital and management will be discussed. “We have artists who make us dance and who are successful internationally, but when they are sick we organize donations for their care,” laments the Nigerian.
Along with the jury, the public also has its word to decide between the nominated artists, including 6 Senegalese: Viviane Ndour, Wally Seck, Sidy Diop, Dip Dundu Gis, Bass Thioung and Jeeba.