Winning the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has become a defining moment for Tanzanian music stars Juma Jux and Folex, as industry leaders across East Africa gathered in Dar es Salaam to examine how the continental platform is reshaping creative careers.
Fresh from their victories at the 9th AFRIMA held in Lagos, Nigeria, the award-winning duo described the honours as transformational. The engagement took place during a Media and Stakeholders’ Parley hosted by AFRIMA’s International Committee, bringing together artistes, regulators, music executives, and the media.
The meeting focused on how East Africa can better leverage AFRIMA’s growing influence to unlock global opportunities for its creative industry.
Speaking at the parley held at Urban by City Blue Hotel, Dar es Salaam, Juma Jux, winner of East African Artiste of the Year (Male), said the recognition had reshaped his professional journey.
“Winning AFRIMA changed a lot for me,” Jux said. “People who never reached out before now connect with me. Being seen across more than 84 countries brings new visibility and responsibility.”
He further stressed the importance of collaboration between creative platforms and public institutions. According to him, stronger partnerships will help artistes gain access to training, exposure, and industry knowledge.
“When governments work closely with platforms like AFRIMA, artistes benefit more,” he added.
Also sharing his experience, award-winning Tanzanian music director Folex, who won Best Music Video of the Year for Juma Jux’s Ololufemi, described the moment as life-changing.
“Being nominated alongside global names like Pink and TG Omori, then winning, showed that East Africans can compete at the highest level,” he said. “This award validates the work of music video directors in Tanzania and boosts confidence across the creative sector.”
Beyond recognition, Folex noted that the Lagos experience opened doors to new networks, learning opportunities, and international collaborations.
Highlighting AFRIMA’s broader mission, Associate Producer Victoria Nkong explained that the awards now serve as a development platform for African creatives.
“AFRIMA is designed to build a strong ecosystem for African music,” Nkong said. “Beyond trophies, we focus on talent promotion, industry growth, and pathways that move artistes from local recognition to global visibility.”
She added that engaging East African stakeholders remains critical to the awards’ long-term impact.
“Tanzania and East Africa have rich musical identities,” she said. “AFRIMA is committed to working closely with institutions here to ensure their talent is well represented globally.”
Representing government support, Selemani Mabisso, Acting Assistant Director of the Music Department at Tanzania’s National Arts Council (BASATA), reaffirmed the council’s readiness to collaborate.
“BASATA welcomes partnerships that strengthen Tanzania’s music industry,” Mabisso said. “We are ready to support initiatives that position our creatives competitively on the global stage.”
The 9th AFRIMA, held from January 7 to 11, 2026, was organised by the African Union Commission and the International Executive Committee of AFRIMA, with the Lagos State Government as the Official Host City.
The five-day celebration featured seven flagship events, including the Africa Music Business Summit, the AFRIMA Music Village at Ikeja City Mall—where over 30,000 fans were entertained by more than 25 top artistes and a grand finale at the Eko Convention Centre, broadcast to audiences in 84 countries worldwide.
