The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) is set to host The Diamond Party and Prize Presentation on June 3, 2026 at Voyage Lagos Nigeria, as part of its broader commitment to sustainable talent development and the long-term growth of Africa’s creative and cultural industries.
The event will celebrate seven outstanding emerging African artists, a statement issued by AFRIMA to newsmen on Wednesday said.
Those to be celebrated are Ellacentric, Black Astro, Yamayeh Vibez, Mayowa Afolabi, DELLFIRE, El Nayaan, and Blinkz Baba.
They are collectively known as The AFRIMA Diamonds.
They were discovered through the AFRIMA Talent Discovery and Promotion Initiative, one of the institution’s strategic development pillars designed to identify, nurture, empower and elevate the next generation of African music stars.
The Diamond Party represents the culmination of a year-long talent discovery and development process that attracted entries from emerging artists across the continent.
Following a rigorous selection process conducted by AFRIMA’s International Jury, seven exceptional talents were selected and subsequently given the opportunity to perform at the AFRIMA Music Village during the 9th AFRIMA Awards held in Lagos, Nigeria.
The performances introduced the young artistes to an audience of over 10,000 music fans physically present at the venue, while also extending their reach to millions of viewers across global broadcast networks and digital streaming platforms within Africa and the diaspora.
Speaking ahead of the Diamond Party, Member of the International Jury of AFRIMA representing Northern Africa, Marwane Fachane, stated that AFRIMA’s developmental focus goes far beyond celebrating established stars, emphasising the organisation’s commitment to building sustainable pathways for emerging African creatives.
Fachane said: “AFRIMA is not only focused on rewarding excellence in African music; we are equally committed to creating structures and opportunities that support the future of the industry.
“Through the Talent Discovery and Promotion Initiative, we are intentionally investing in young African talents by providing visibility, mentorship, industry access and platforms that can accelerate their growth and global competitiveness.”
He noted that the initiative forms part of AFRIMA’s wider agenda to contribute meaningfully to the sustainable growth of Africa’s creative economy by connecting emerging artistes to critical stakeholders across the music value chain.
He added: “These young talents are being exposed to record label executives, producers, promoters, broadcasters and other key industry players who can guide their careers and open doors to greater opportunities.
“The objective is to ensure that African creatives are not only discovered, but also properly supported to thrive within the global music ecosystem.”
Fachane further described the Diamond Party as both a celebration of emerging excellence and a strategic launchpad for the selected talents.
He said: “The seven Diamonds have already demonstrated immense potential on the AFRIMA stage before thousands of fans and millions of viewers globally.
“This event formally introduces them to wider opportunities within the African and international music industry while reinforcing AFRIMA’s commitment to talent development and cultural advancement.”
As part of their reward and continuous professional development, the seven finalists have also been accepted to participate in the Showbiz 101 Workshop and Music Creation Camp organised by bridgeAFRIC, scheduled to hold in Lagos, Nigeria from June 23 to 30, 2026.
Speaking on the opportunity extended to the AFRIMA Diamonds, the President of bridgeAFRIC, Victoria Nkong, described the initiative as an important investment in the future of Africa’s creative industry.
Nkong said: “At bridgeAFRIC, we strongly believe that Africa’s creative future depends on how intentionally we invest in emerging talents today.
