East Africa is celebrating after the official release of the AFRIMMA Awards 2026 nominations, with Tanzania emerging as the dominant force in this year’s Best Male East Africa and Best Female East Africa categories. The nominations highlight the country’s continued influence on the African music scene, as some of its biggest stars secure places among the continent’s finest artists.
Leading the charge in the highly competitive Best Male East Africa category are Tanzanian music heavyweights Diamond Platnumz, Juma Jux, Marioo, Barnaba, and Mbosso. Their inclusion reflects another remarkable year for Tanzania’s music industry, which continues to produce chart-topping hits and attract millions of fans across Africa and beyond.
The category also features a strong lineup of talented artists from across East Africa. Kenya is represented by celebrated singer Bien, while Uganda has two nominees, Eddy Kenzo and Joshua Baraka, both of whom have enjoyed successful years with hit songs and international recognition. Ethiopia is represented by Lij Michael, while Single Dee flies the flag for South Sudan, making the competition one of the most exciting in recent AFRIMMA history.
Tanzania’s dominance extends to the Best Female East Africa category as well. Award-winning singer Zuchu and multi-talented performer Abigail Chams have both earned nominations following outstanding performances and successful music releases over the past year.
They will compete against some of East Africa’s finest female artists, including Nikita Kering, Bridget Blue, and Njerae from Kenya, Winnie Nwagi from Uganda, Veronica Adane and Salemia from Ethiopia, as well as Ariel Wayz from Rwanda. The diverse list reflects the growing strength and creativity of female artists across the region.
The strong Tanzanian representation in both categories has generated excitement among fans, many of whom have taken to social media to celebrate the country’s continued success on the continental stage. Over the past decade, Tanzania has established itself as one of Africa’s leading music powerhouses, thanks to the global popularity of Bongo Flava and the international appeal of its artists.
Diamond Platnumz continues to be one of Africa’s most recognized musicians, consistently releasing chart-topping songs while expanding his influence beyond music through collaborations with international artists. Juma Jux has enjoyed another impressive year, while Marioo has continued to cement his place among East Africa’s biggest hitmakers. Barnaba and Mbosso have also maintained strong performances, earning recognition for their musical consistency and loyal fan bases.
On the women’s side, Zuchu remains one of Africa’s fastest-rising stars, with her unique sound and growing international audience helping her secure yet another major nomination. Abigail Chams has also impressed music lovers with her versatility as both a singer and songwriter, earning her place among East Africa’s elite female performers.
The AFRIMMA Awards (African Muzik Magazine Awards) celebrate excellence in African music by recognizing artists, producers, DJs, dancers, and entertainers from across the continent. The annual awards have become one of Africa’s most prestigious entertainment events, bringing together top talent and showcasing the diversity of African music on a global stage.
This year’s ceremony is scheduled to take place on September 12, 2026, at the Annette Strauss Square inside the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas, Texas, USA. The event is expected to attract some of Africa’s biggest music stars, industry executives, media personalities, and fans from around the world as winners across various categories are announced.
With Tanzania fielding more nominees than any other East African country in these major categories, expectations are high that the nation could once again dominate the awards. However, competition remains fierce, with outstanding artists from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and South Sudan all hoping to take home the coveted trophies.
As anticipation builds ahead of the awards night, fans across East Africa are already rallying behind their favorite artists, making this one of the most talked-about AFRIMMA editions in recent years.
Who do you think deserves to win the Best Male East Africa and Best Female East Africa awards? Share your predictions in the comments and join the conversation!
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