The 5th edition of All Africa Music Awards in partnership with the African Union Commission has received 8,009 songs/videos on its online portal as entry of submission closed at 11:59pm on August 1, 2018.

This year’s submission sets a record as the highest number of entries from African artistes, music producers, songwriters, Disc Jockeys, video directors among others, since the inception of the most prestigious music event in Africa.

The progress and increase of 63 per cent against the 2017 edition of 4,816 entries is a positive marker that has elicited satisfaction from the African Union, the International Committee of AFRIMA as well as the Jury members of AFRIMA.

Out of the entries received this year, Eastern Africa tops with 45 per cent, followed by Western Africa with 34 per cent.

Southern, Central and Northern Africa had 13 per cent, 6 per cent and 2 per cent respectively.

Reacting to the development, the Acting Director of Social Affairs, African Union Commission, Machacha Shepande, congratulated Africa’s creative industry sector for participating in the 5th All Africa Music Awards Entry Submission campaign opened on May 25, 2018.

Shepande said: “The AU commends the creative sector of Africa for participating so well in the AFRIMA entry submission process which closed on 1st August 2018 and in ensuring that the music industry remains relevant for the sustainable growth of Africa’s economy which the African Union (AU) is championing through the cultural and creative agenda.

“The receipt in the All Africa Music Awards platform, this year, of over 8,000 of entries across the five regions of Africa shows clearly the growth and importance of this continent wide platform in the promotion and development of the cultural and creative industries on the continent more specifically the creative industry of music.

“The significant rise in the entries has also shown that African talents spread across the continent are awakening to the call to promote our cultural and creative industry

continentally as well as to the world at large.

“The continent’s creative industry can only grow when we give relevant support to our creative talent and craft.