Davido’s 5IVE Wins Album of the Year at 2026 AFRIMMA

Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido has added another prestigious honour to his career after his acclaimed album 5IVE was named Album of the Year at the 2026 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA). The victory came as AFRIMMA returned to Dallas, Texas, celebrating the finest talents in African music after a two-year hiatus.

The awards ceremony, held on 12 September at Annette Strauss Square in Dallas, brought together artists, producers, entertainers and fans from across Africa and the diaspora. Davido emerged as one of the night’s standout winners, with the official AFRIMMA results confirming 5IVE as the continent’s best album of the year.

A defining chapter in Davido’s career

Released in April 2025, 5IVE marked Davido’s fifth studio album and showcased a more reflective side of the singer while retaining the vibrant Afrobeats sound that has made him one of Africa’s biggest musical exports. The project featured collaborations with international and African stars including Chris Brown, Victoria Monét, Becky G, Omah Lay and Victony, blending Afrobeats with R&B, pop and Latin influences.

The album’s commercial success was matched by critical acclaim, with many praising its themes of personal growth, resilience and artistic evolution. Its AFRIMMA triumph further cements 5IVE as one of the defining African albums of the past year.

Fierce competition across Africa

Davido’s victory came in one of the ceremony’s most competitive categories, ahead of albums from leading artists across the continent, including Burna Boy, Amr Diab, Didi B, DJ Maphorisa & XDuppy, El Grande Toto, Himra, Kelvin Momo and Tinariwen.

The win was particularly significant as Davido entered the awards as one of the most nominated artists, reinforcing his continued dominance on the African music scene.

Nigeria shines at AFRIMMA

Beyond Davido’s success, Nigerian artists enjoyed another impressive showing at the 2026 AFRIMMA Awards. Tems won Best Female West Africa, Ruger claimed Best Male West Africa, while BNXN & Sarz took home Song of the Year. Congolese music icon Fally Ipupa was named Artist of the Year, highlighting the increasingly diverse reach of African music across regions and languages.

AFRIMMA has grown into one of the continent’s leading music platforms, recognising excellence across more than 40 categories while celebrating African culture, fashion and entertainment on a global stage. This year’s edition combined its traditional awards ceremony with an expanded music festival, reflecting the global influence of Afrobeats and African popular culture.

For Davido, the Album of the Year trophy represents more than another award, it is a testament to his consistency in pushing African music onto the world stage. As Afrobeats continues its remarkable international rise, 5IVE stands as another landmark project proving that Nigerian music remains at the forefront of the continent’s creative revolution.