WIFT South Africa becomes part of a sisterhood of more than 50 chapters worldwide, united in their mission to reshape industries and champion women’s creative contributions.
By Emmanuel ‘Waziri’ Okoro
Women in Film and TV South Africa (WIFT South Africa) has officially launched, marking a major step in empowering women across the country’s film, television, and creative sectors.Â
The organisation joins the Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI) network, which spans more than 60 chapters across six continents, all working towards a common goal of achieving gender balance in the industry.
The South African chapter is led by writer and director, Athi Petela, who serves as its first president. She is supported by a founding leadership team that includes Actor Spaces Co-Founder, Felicia Naiwa Sithebe (Programmes Lead), Hayani Africa Managing Director, Tumelo Moema (Head of Communications), and business consultant and entrepreneur, Andile Mqwebu (Outreach Lead).Â
Together, they are building a platform designed to foster opportunity, drive inclusivity, and create sustainable careers for women in the creative industries.
“Our mission is to build bridges across the continent and beyond,†Petela said. “It is about creating pathways for women to thrive, telling stories that reflect our diverse realities, and ensuring women are not just part of the conversation but at the forefront of shaping the future of film and television.â€
The chapter’s launch comes as Petela prepares to represent South Africa at the Women in Film and TV Conference, a flagship event of the Africa Creative Market. The conference, themed “Creative Bridge: Empowering Talent, Accessing Ecosystems, Unlocking Marketsâ€, takes place on 16 September 2025 at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, Nigeria.
She will appear alongside influential WIFT leaders from across the continent, including:
Njoki Muhoho, President, WIFT Kenya
Joke Silva, President, Forum for Women in Film and TV Africa (FWIFT Nigeria)
Fatou Jupiter Toure, President, WIFT Senegal
Juliet Ibrahim, President, WIFT Ghana
Tatapong Bayela, Vice President, WIFT Cameroon
The session will be moderated by Inya Lawal, President of WIFT Africa. While WIFT South Africa will host its official launch event in November at the Africa Rising International Film Festival, its presence at the Africa Creative Market signals the start of a strategic programme aimed at empowering women through mentorship, training, and leadership development; advocating for equity and representation across the creative value chain; unlocking markets to help women creators access funding, platforms, and audiences, and more.
By joining WIFT International’s global network, WIFT South Africa becomes part of a sisterhood of more than 50 chapters worldwide, united in their mission to reshape industries and champion women’s creative contributions.
Hilda Baci, who first gained global recognition in 2023 with her marathon cook-a-thon, once again showcased Nigerian cuisine on the international stage.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
Nigerian celebrity chef, Hilda Baci, has set a new Guinness World Record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, weighing 8,780 kilogrammes.
The achievement, accomplished in partnership with food brand Gino, took place on Friday, September 12, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, and drew a massive crowd of supporters, celebrities, and food enthusiasts. Among those in attendance were dancer Kaffy, filmmaker Funke Akindele, singer Spyro, and digital influencers Enioluwa and Folagade Banks, alongside other high-profile guests.
Hilda Baci
Guinness World Records confirmed the feat on Monday through a post on X (formerly Twitter): “New record: Largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice – 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz) achieved by Hilda Baci and Gino in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeriaâ€.
Largest Serving of Nigerian Jollof Rice
Hilda Baci, who first gained global recognition in 2023 with her marathon cook-a-thon, once again showcased Nigerian cuisine on the international stage. Celebrating the achievement on social media, Hilda Baci wrote, “This moment isn’t just mine, it belongs to Gino and to all of us. We made history together for Nigeria, for Africa, and for everyone who believes in the power of food to bring us closer. This win is yours tooâ€.
With this accomplishment, Hilda Baci further strengthens her reputation as one of Nigeria’s most prominent chefs and cultural ambassadors, spotlighting the global appeal of Nigerian food culture.
Trailing 2–0 at halftime, the Super Falcons mounted an incredible second-half comeback to claim the WAFCON title.
By Tuka LeturaÂ
Nigeria are champions of the 2024 African Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON), clinching their 10th title in what will go down as one of the most dramatic finals in the tournament’s history.
Trailing 2–0 at half-time, the Super Falcons mounted an incredible second-half comeback. Morocco had taken the lead just 12 minutes in through a penalty converted by Ghizlane Chebbak, before Sanaâ Mssoudy added a second 12 minutes later to put the hosts in control.
Super Falcons have claimed their 10th WAFCON title after a historic comeback against the host nation, Morocco.
But Nigeria responded with resilience and brilliance after the break. Goals from Ijeoma Esther Okoronkwo and Folashade Ijamilusi brought the Super Falcons level, with the team converting a penalty and surviving a penalty scare of their own. Then, just minutes before stoppage time, Jennifer Onyinyechi Echegini struck the decisive winner, sealing a remarkable 3–2 victory.
Rasheedat Ajibade wins WAFCON Player of the Tournament
Chiamaka Nnadozie, the Super Falcons’ brilliant shot-stopper and Brighton & Hove Albion’s newest signing from Paris FC, was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament. Meanwhile, team captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, whose influence was felt throughout the tournament, deservedly claimed the Player of the Tournament award. Morocco captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, picked up the Golden Boot, while South Africa were honoured with the Fair Play Award; fitting recognition of their discipline and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.
Chiamaka Nnadozie wins WAFCON Golden Glove
With this triumph, the Super Falcons have fulfilled the expectations they carried into the tournament, completing what was dubbed “Mission X†by claiming their 10th WAFCON title. In doing so, they have now won all 10 finals they’ve appeared in.
This year’s spotlight is on prose fiction, and the competition attracted a record-breaking 252 entries, surpassing both the 2024 tally of 163 and the previous prose fiction record of 202 entries set in 2021.
By Evidence Egwuono AdjarhoÂ
Often regarded as the most prestigious literary prize in Africa, and among the most lucrative in the world with its $100,000 cash award, the Nigeria Prize for Literature announced its 11-title longlist for the 2025 edition on July 23rd. Sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited, the prize is notable not only for its monetary value but for its rotating focus among four genres: prose fiction, drama, poetry, and children’s literature. This year’s spotlight is on prose fiction, and the competition attracted a record-breaking 252 entries, surpassing both the 2024 tally of 163 and the previous prose fiction record of 202 entries set in 2021.
Nigeria Prize for Literature 2025 longlist
In remarks earlier in the year, Chairperson of the Advisory Board, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, expressed optimism about the submissions: “We are optimistic that the calibre and volume of entries submitted this year will significantly elevate the quality of the competition.â€
The 2025 Longlist for Prose Fiction:
An Unusual Grief by Yewande Omotoso
Fine Dreams by Linda Masi
Leave My Bones in Saskatoon by Michael Afenfia
New York, My Village by Uwem Akpan
Petrichor: The Scent of a New Beginning by Ayo Oyeku
Following the announcement, acclaimed novelist, Chigozie Obioma, who made the list with The Road to the Country, took to his X page to share his excitement: “Grateful. Writing is hard, so this recognition means a lot!â€
Also noteworthy is the inclusion of two previous winners: Chika Unigwe, who won the prose fiction category in 2012 with On Black Sisters’ Street, and Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, who took home the prize in 2016 for Season of Crimson Blossoms.Â
Their appearance has stirred debate online, with some readers and critics raising concerns about the fairness of the selection process, arguing that including former winners might limit opportunities for new and emerging voices.
Nigeria Prize for Literature 2025
In another X post, prominent literary critic, Ikhide Ikheloa, remarked: “As in previous years, the longlist showcases the drift and lack of strategic vision of the prize. What is its purpose? How does it help to promote literature in Nigeria?†His comments reflect the sentiments of others who question the prize’s structural framework and broader impact on the literary ecosystem.
Yet, amid the critiques, there is no denying the strength of the 2025 longlist. With its rich variety of themes, styles, and voices, this year’s selection is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in the prize’s history. While each of the listed writers has shown remarkable literary prowess, only one will eventually emerge as the winner.
The next stage of the prize will see the Advisory Board announce a shortlist of three finalists later this year and the winner will be unveiled at a public ceremony scheduled for October.
As anticipation builds, readers, critics, and publishers alike will be watching closely to see who claims the top honour in what is shaping up to be a historic year for the Nigerian prize for Literature. Who will take home Africa’s most coveted literary prize? The wait begins.
The list is based on streams outside Nigeria and spotlights the country’s continued influence as a global music powerhouse.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
Spotify has released its Nigerian Global Impact List for the first half of 2025, highlighting the top 30 Nigerian songs, and songs featuring Nigerian artistes, that have made the biggest splash beyond the country’s borders. The list is based on streams outside Nigeria and spotlights the country’s continued influence as a global music powerhouse.
Afro-Pop star, Rema, leads the chart with “Baby (Is it a Crime)â€, his lush soulful hit that cleverly samples Sade Adu. The track, which sparked buzz even before its release, now holds over 60 million streams, making it the most globally streamed Nigerian song of 2025 so far. He also appears at No. 14 with his follow-up single “Bout Uâ€.
Davido earns the most entries on the list with nine entries including his smash hit, “With You†featuring Omah Lay, off his album Five, at No. 3, and “Be There Still†at No. 10. Burna Boy follows with five entries, with his highest-charting track, “TaTaTa†featuring Travis Scott, from his latest album Sign of Weakness, debuting at No. 5.
Nigeria’s Spotify 2025 Global Impact List
Street-Pop star Shallipopi, lands a major global breakout with “Laho†at No. 2, while the remix featuring Burna Boy comes in at No. 9. The list also highlights Nigeria’s genre diversity, with Gospel artiste Lawrence Oyor charting at No. 28 with “Favourâ€, the only Gospel song to make the cut.Â
Rising acts Chella, Hima, and Minz also made first-time appearances. “This year’s Global Impact List is a testament to the vast range and international appeal of Nigerian musicâ€, said Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa.
As the year progresses, and with major projects still anticipated in the second half, this mid-year snapshot from Spotify offers a compelling look at what Nigerian audiences are listening to, and where the culture is headed nexta.
Among the big winners of the 2025 DFM Awards was the Michael James-directed South African film, The Second Coming, which took home the National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa (NFVF) Best Fiction Award.
By Vivian Nneka Nwajiaku
The 16th edition of the Durban FilmMart (DFM) has come to a fruitful end with the 2025 DFM Awards presented to winning participants for their outstanding films and projects. This year’s programme ran from 18th to 21st July, 2025 in Durban, South Africa and featured fiction, documentary, episodic, and animation projects in development.
Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI), described the talent showcased in this year’s programme and film projects as exemplifying the strength of African cinema.
“We are delighted to have hosted such a dynamic array of filmmakers from across the African continent. They entrusted us with their projects and ideas, and generously shared their time, expertise, and passion through enriching conversations, creating a truly African event,†said Reddy, who added that “The memories made, networks expanded, and partnerships forged have significantly contributed to DFM’s enduring legacy and impact.â€
Among the big winners of the 2025 DFM Awards was the Michael James-directed South African film, The Second Coming, which took home the National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa (NFVF) Best Fiction Award, as well as the Red Sea Film Fund Award, and the Inkaba Award reserved for bold new work seeking financing and co-production support.
DFM Award winners and DFM team
Also recognised for top awards were Tunisia’s The Salt of the South, directed by Rami Jarboui, which received the NFVF Best Non-Fiction Award and the EURODOC Award; and Crocodile Dance, a South African and Nigerian production co-directed by Shofela Coker and Nadia Darries, winning the NFVF Best Animation Award.
Cape Verde’s Plastic Atlantis, a documentary directed by Samira Vera-Cruz, received six accolades, including the Climate Story Labs Award, the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund’s New Voices Award, and the prestigious Women Make Movies Award for the Best Pitch by a Woman Filmmaker.
Other notable winners include Zimbabwe’s Golden, directed by Rumbi Katedza, which received the Red Sea Film Fund, the CANAL+ Development Grant, and a place at DOK.fest München Award; and Algeria’s Climbing the Mountains, directed by Sabrina Chebbi, a recipient of the Red Sea Film Fund and Al Jazeera Co-Production Award, in addition to a participation grant for the Hot Docs-Blue Ice Docs.
The Durban FilmMart is Africa’s premier co-production and film finance market and a platform for African filmmakers looking to access international markets, build networks, and secure funding. Held under the theme “Bridges Not Borders: Stories That Unite,†this year’s edition drew a large crowd of 1,364 filmmakers and film professionals from 63 countries to Durban for four days of panel discussions, pitching sessions, networking, and project showcases.
See the full list of the 2025 DFM Award winners below.
The series brings Zikoko’s popular editorial verticals to screen through three intimate stories about the realities of Nigerian womanhood.
By Joseph Jonathan
Big Cabal Media is set to launch Zikoko Life, a new anthology film series that draws from its flagship editorial franchises — Naira Life, Sex Life, and Love Life — to explore themes of agency, relationships, and desire through the lens of Nigerian women.
Created by Anita E. Eboigbe for Big Cabal Media and produced by Blessing Uzzi for Bluhouse Studios, Zikoko Life marks the company’s first foray into narrative film. Built around three standalone shorts, the project brings together an array of Nollywood talent and rising voices to tell stories that confront ideas around body autonomy, power, and desire.
In What’s Left of Us, directors Victor Daniel and Olamide Adio turn their gaze to the slow unravelling of a marriage. Starring Caleb Richards (Beyond the Veil) and Tolu Asanu, the story follows Mariam, a woman who, after deciding not to have more children, watches the fabric of her domestic life begin to fall apart.
Still from What’s Left of Us
Inspired by the emotional cadences of films like Marriage Story (2019) and Revolutionary Road (2008), the short positions reproductive choice as both a personal boundary and a battleground within marriage. “It’s about what happens when a woman says no, even in marriage,” Daniel says, drawing attention to the way economic disparity can double as a tool of coercion in Nigerian homes.
My Body, directed by and starring Uzoamaka Power (Mami Wata), explores the silences and expectations surrounding sex within religious and newly wedded spaces. A couple bound by love but burdened by scriptural conditioning, grapples with their inability to consummate their marriage. The film probes the emotional weight of shame, obligation, and ignorance that often clouds conversations about sex, especially for women. “Too often, people reduce sex to duty,” Power notes. “My Body is a chance to reimagine intimacy through understanding and choice.” Power stars alongside Andrew Yaw Buting (Water & Garri)
My Body
In Something Sweet, written and directed by Dika Ofoma, a middle-aged woman experiences a late bloom. Her life, previously structured and quiet, is disrupted when she begins a relationship with a younger man.
What starts as a fling unfolds into a larger meditation on age, desire, and the right to pleasure. “This is about reminding women, especially older women, that attraction, longing, and joy don’t have a deadline,” Ofoma explains. The film also stars Kanyinsola Erogbogbo, Oladozie Chiedoziem, Ogranya (Freedom Way), and Michelle Dede (With Difficulty Comes Ease).
Something Sweet
Taken together, the three films offer a textured portrayal of womanhood — less about empowerment clichés, and more about the messy, often contradictory work of self-definition in a culture that demands performance and sacrifice.
“These aren’t just films”, says producer Blessing Uzzi. “They’re emotional time capsules. Each one is rooted in the everyday experiences Zikoko has documented over the years, but reimagined with a cinematic lens”.
Zikoko Life premieres July 12 on Zikoko’s official YouTube channel.
Angélique Kidjo joins a 35‑strong roster that includes Grammy winners Miley Cyrus, Josh Groban, Bone Thugs‑N‑Harmony, Lyle Lovett, The Clark Sisters, and Intocable, as well as actors, Timothée Chalamet and Demi Moore.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
Grammy-winning music legend, Angélique Kidjo, has been announced as part of the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s Class of 2026, making her the first African artiste to receive a star on the famed boulevard.
Kidjo joins a 35‑strong roster that includes Grammy winners Miley Cyrus, Josh Groban, Bone Thugs‑N‑Harmony, Lyle Lovett, The Clark Sisters, and Intocable, as well as actors Timothée Chalamet and Demi Moore.
Angélique Kidjo
The honourees span six categories: recordings, motion pictures, television, live theatre/live performance, sports entertainment, and radio, and were revealed during a press conference at Ovation Hollywood on Wednesday, July 2.
The selection committee of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce chose the inductees from “hundreds” of nominations at its 20 June meeting, with the board of directors ratifying the list on 25 June. “These talented individuals have made significant contributions to the world of entertainment, and we are thrilled to honour them with this well‑deserved recognition”, said Peter Roth, former CEO of Warner Bros. Television and chair of the Walk of Fame committee.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
While dates have yet to be scheduled, recipients have two years from the date of selection to schedule star ceremonies before they expire. Angélique Kidjo’s recognition marks a monumental moment for African representation in global pop culture. Her storied career, which spans continents and genres, remains a beacon of creative excellence and cultural pride for Africa and the diaspora at large.
Mothers of Chibok, a US, Australian and Nigerian production directed by Nigerian filmmaker, Joel Kachi Benson, took home the Encounters Al Jazeera Award for Best African Feature Documentary.
By Vivian Nneka Nwajiaku
The winners of the 27th edition of Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival have been announced, following the conclusion of the festival on Sunday, 29th June 2025.
Mothers of Chibok(2024), a US, Australian and Nigerian production directed by Nigerian filmmaker, Joel ‘Kachi Benson, took home the Encounters Al Jazeera Award for Best African Feature Documentary. Only three days before, Benson received the Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary Emmy at the 46th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards, for his 2024 Disney original documentary, Madu.
Mothers of Chibok
Mothers of Chibok is the sequel to Benson’s 2019 documentary short, Daughters of Chibok, which won “Best Virtual Reality Story” at the 2019 Venice International Film Festival. The sequel follows a group of mothers in Chibok as they deal with loss and the struggle to educate their children in the wake of the 2014 Chibok Schoolgirls Kidnapping.
And She Didn’t Die(2025), a South African and UK production directed by South African filmmaker, Kethiwe Ngcobo, was recognised as the runner-up for Best African Feature Documentary and also won the Ronelle Loots Award for Best Edited South African Feature.
Ngcobo’s documentary is a tribute to the filmmaker’s mother, Lauretta Ngcobo, who was a renowned author, political activist, and parliamentarian. And She Didn’t Die chronicles the activist’s journey from a rural storyteller to a revolutionary, political exile, and celebrated feminist writer.
In the international documentary category, Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk(2025), a production of France and Palestine by Iranian director, Sepideh Farsi, won the Encounters Al Jazeera Award for Best International Feature Documentary.
Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk
Farsi’s film documents life under bombardment in Gaza through the perspective of the 25-year-old Palestinian journalist, Fatima Hassouna, who was unfortunately killed by an Israeli missile strike that targeted her family’s residence in April 2025 shortly before the film’s screening in the independent ACID sidebar of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
Union (2024), a US documentary by American director, Stephen Maing and Canadian director, Brett Story, was declared runner-up in the Best International Feature Documentary category. Union had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival andfollows a group of Amazon workers in Staten Island as they take on the powerful Amazon in the fight to unionise.
Union
In the shorts category, The Rock Speaks (2024), a South African and UK documentary directed by Francois Knoetze, Amy Louise Wilson and Joe-Yves Salankang Sa-Ngol, was awarded the Ster-Kinekor Encounters Youth Experience Award for Best African Short Documentary, with Guardian of the Well (2025), a Chadian film by directors Bentley Brown and Tahir Ben Mahamat Zene as runner-up.
The Rock Speaks is a hybrid AI documentary which navigates the trans-global technological production supply chain, from the perspective of a piece of cobalt, while Guardian of the Well explores the climate emergency through conversations that take place around a well in a local community.
Jessie Ayles’ Never Come Fetch Me(2024), a South African and UK collaboration about a young boy’s life on the streets of Cape Town’s ganglands, won the Ronelle Loots Award for Best Edited South African Short.
Never Come Fetch Me
Miki Redelinghuys, whose 2024 documentary, Mother City, won the Best African Documentary Award at the 2024 Africa International Film Festival, was awarded the Liezel Vermeulen Award for Service to the Documentary Sector.
Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival is Africa’s premier documentary film festival. The festival, which was held in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa, featured a diverse slate of documentaries, celebrating the best in documentary filmmaking from Africa and beyond.
BluHouse Studios has announced the theatrical release of its acclaimed thriller drama, Freedom Way, set for nationwide release on 18th July, 2025.
By Vivian Nneka Nwajiaku
Nollywood’s BluHouse Studios has announced the theatrical release of its acclaimed thriller drama, Freedom Way, set for nationwide release across Nigeria on 18th July, 2025, with a captivating promotional video shared on social media.
The theatrical release comes almost a year after the film’s world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and several months after screening at the 2024 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in November 2024, where it won the Jury Award.
Directed by Afolabi Olalekan in his debut feature, and produced by writer and BluHouse founder, Blessing Uzzi, Freedom Way recently opened the 32nd edition of the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF), as Afrocritikreported in May, following its celebrated win of Best Movie and Best Writing (Movie) at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award 2025.
With an ensemble cast featuring Femi Jacobs, Debo “Mr Macaroni” Adedayo, Jesse Suntele, Jable “Ogranya” Osai, Mike Afolarin, Taye Arimoro, Teniola Aladese, Bimbo Akintola and Meg Otanwa, Freedom Way follows nine individuals navigating a chaotic day in Lagos, from tech entrepreneurs struggling to keep their startup alive despite sabotage from a powerful competitor, to law enforcement officers on opposite sides of a crumbling system.
Freedom Way
Freedom Way offers an unflinching look at the Nigerian reality, tackling several problems that plague Nigeria, from bad governance, institutionalised corruption, and police brutality, to economic and political instability.
As Freedom Way heads to Nigerian cinemas, its theatrical debut marks an important homecoming for a film that has resonated with audiences across international festivals, giving local audiences the chance to witness one of Nollywood’s most successful thrillers of the past year.
The Academy noted that Zombie meets the Hall of Fame’s requirement for recordings that are “At least 25 years old and exhibit lasting qualitative or historical significance”.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has posthumously earned a place in the 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame, with his seminal 1976 album, Zombie, recognised by the Recording Academy for its enduring cultural and historical impact.
The announcement was made earlier this week, with the Academy noting that the conscious album meets the Hall of Fame’s requirement for recordings that are “At least 25 years old and exhibit lasting qualitative or historical significance”. The album now joins an esteemed collection that includes works by Jay-Z, Santana, and Cat Stevens.
Grammy Hall of Fame 2025
Fela’s eldest son, Femi Anikulapo-Kuti, shared the news on his official X page on Wednesday. “Our father’s legacy lives on. We are honoured to accept this Grammy Hall of Fame award on behalf of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. His music continues to inspire and unite people across the world”, he wrote.
Released during a tense period in Nigeria’s military regime, Zombie delivered an unflinching critique of military oppression and unquestioning obedience. Its impact was immediate and far-reaching, provoking a violent state-led attack on Fela’s Kalakuta Republic in 1977, a raid that resulted in the destruction of property and brutal assaults on his family and community.
Fela Anikulapo Kuti
Despite the state’s attempt to stifle his voice, Fela’s message endured. Nearly three decades after his passing, Zombie remains a potent work of resistance, echoing in the music of African superstars such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido, and referenced by global acts like Alicia Keys and Coldplay.
With this latest recognition, Fela’s towering influence on music and politics — both in Africa and across the globe — is once again cemented in history.
This expanded partnership follows TECNO’s successful involvement in the 2023 edition of the tournament, where it served as the exclusive smartphone sponsor.
By Emmanuel ‘Waziri’ Okoro
Smartphone giant, TECNO, has announced a significant deepening of its partnership with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), becoming the Official Global Partner of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025, and Kenya–Uganda–Tanzania 2027.
This expanded partnership follows TECNO’s successful involvement in the 2023 edition of the tournament, where it served as the exclusive smartphone sponsor. The renewed collaboration underscores TECNO’s commitment to bringing its bold “Stop at Nothing” spirit to millions of African football fans over the coming years.
As Official Global Partner, Official Smartphone, and Exclusive Partner in the Smartphone category, TECNO is set to amplify its brand presence and deepen its engagement with young audiences across the continent.
Benjamin Jiang, Vice President of Transsion Holdings, expressed the brand’s enthusiasm: “This renewed partnership is a testament to the deep trust and shared success we’ve built with CAF. In our previous collaboration, we witnessed how football ignited passion and inspired dreams, and how AI-powered smart technologies became powerful tools to connect and empower millions across Africa. That’s why this partnership goes beyond the game—it stands as a symbol of ambition and a platform where young people can shine, united by an unstoppable spirit of progress. It reflects our shared vision of harnessing AI-driven innovation to shape a brighter future for Africa”.
TECNO and CAF Partnership
In line with its social impact agenda, TECNO will also continue its “Dream on the Field Renovation Campaign” in cooperation with CAF. Launched in 2024, the initiative aims to enhance youth engagement by renovating football fields in underserved communities, providing improved access to quality sporting facilities, and nurturing talent at the grassroots level.
CAF General Secretary, Véron Mosengo-Omba, welcomed the continued collaboration: “TECNO’s long standing support for football in Africa has had a meaningful impact on the development of the sport. As the highest-profile football tournament on the continent, the Africa Cup of Nations symbolises passion and the achievement of life-long dreams, resonating with young people’s hope for the future and spirit of exploration. Deepening this partnership will help to ensure that AFCON 2025 and 2027 reach new heights of excitement to delight football fans”.
The partnership marks a milestone in TECNO’s ongoing effort to connect with the younger generation and empower them to realise new possibilities. It further solidifies the brand’s standing as a technology leader across Africa, known for its advanced imaging technology, strong product performance, and cutting-edge design.
Tems will share the stage with Puerto Rican hitmaker, J Balvin, and American Pop star, Doja Cat, in a performance curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer and songwriter, Tems, has been announced as one of the headline performers for the first halftime show at the FIFA Club World Cup. The historic event will take place on July 19, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, during the tournament’s final match, marking FIFA’s bold attempt to mirror the high-energy spectacle of America’s Super Bowl halftime shows.
Tems
Tems will share the stage with Puerto Rican hitmaker, J Balvin, and American Pop star, Doja Cat, in a performance curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay. The announcement comes just days after Tems was honoured with the Diamond Award at Billboard’s inaugural Global Power Players event in London, a recognition that further cements her international acclaim.
Her growing influence is also extending into sports. Earlier this year, Tems made headlines as the first African woman and artiste to acquire ownership in a Major League Soccer team, joining the investor group behind San Diego FC.
FIFA Club World Cup Halftime Show headliners
As Afrobeats continues to surge globally, its fusion with mainstream culture — from fashion to film to sports — reflects the genre’s growing resonance beyond the continent. Tems’ forthcoming performance at the Club World Cup final adds to this momentum and signals FIFA’s recognition of Africa’s cultural currency on the world stage.
77: The Festac Conspiracy, the highly anticipated sequel to Izu Ojukwu’s acclaimed period drama, ’76, is set to make an exclusive preview at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in France this May.
By Vivian Nneka Nwajiaku
77: The Festac Conspiracy, the highly anticipated sequel to Izu Ojukwu’s acclaimed period drama, ’76, is set to make an exclusive preview at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in France this May. The sequel was selected for this honour by the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), marking a landmark moment for the production.
Directed byOjukwu and produced by Adonis Production, 77 reimagines the historic events of the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture which took place in Lagos in 1977, known widely as FESTAC ’77. The film blends fact and fiction to explore the politics, ambitions, and cultural pride that surrounded one of the most significant Pan-African events of the 20th century.
Acclaimed Nollywood actor, Ramsey Nouah, who starred as Captain Joseph Dewa in ’76 will reprise his role in the sequel, with several other members of the cast returning to continue from where the first film left off.
Still from 77: The Festac Conspiracy
Speaking on the film’s significance and the Cannes preview, Executive Producer, Adonijah Owiriwa, remarked, “This film is a reclamation of Africa’s rich history. The project was about revisiting a defining moment in African unity and cultural assertion, bringing to life a tale of the ambitions, conflicts, and triumphs that shaped our storytelling.
“Through cinema, we are not only preserving our past but ensuring that the world engages with our stories on our terms. The Cannes showcase is a pivotal step in shifting the global perception of African cinema, proving that our stories are as grand, complex, and worthy of global platforms as any other.”
Executive Producer, Prince Tonye Princewill, adds, “77 is a reflection of the strides we have made in both production quality and storytelling. As an executive producer, I’ve seen firsthand how we have evolved from a growing industry to a force that competes globally in terms of scale, ambition, and technical expertise.
“African stories are no longer confined to a niche audience; they are reaching global markets, and this film is an example of that. It embodies the high production values we’ve worked tirelessly to grow and this is a landmark moment, not only for the ’77 film, but for the race as a whole; showing the world that African cinema is a powerhouse of creativity.”
The film’s Cannes preview underscores growing international interest in Nigerian stories, coming on the back of other Nigerian historical films selected to participate at Cannes this year. In April, it was announced that Akinola Davies Jr.’sMy Father’s Shadow, a historical drama set against the backdrop of the 1993 Presidential Elections, would premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes, while James Omokwe’s Osamede, a retelling of the 1897 Benin Invasion, would premiere at the Cannes Film Market.
77: The Festac Conspiracy
FilmOne Entertainment, the West African distribution company with distribution rights for 77: The Festac Conspiracy, expects that the film will be a landmark in Africa’s journey towards global prominence. In the words of Kene Okwuosa, Group CEO of FilmHouse Group, “The Festac ’77 film is a significant contribution to African storytelling in reshaping global narratives. The selection for Cannes is indeed a great endorsement for the future of Africa in global box office.
“For too long, African stories have been sidelined or misrepresented in global media, and this film signifies a turning point and an opportunity for the world to witness the richness and depth of our culture, history, and creative storytelling. This moment, at one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, marks the beginning of a new era in which we get to lead conversations on the global stage, redefining what it means to tell and distribute authentically African stories.”
77: The Festac Conspiracy is slated for release sometime in 2025. Details about the film are available here.
The 2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards ceremony brought together artistes, industry stakeholders, and fans to celebrate excellence in Ghanaian music.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
Ghanaian music artistes: King Promise, Stonebwoy, Kweku Smoke, OlivetheBoy, and others, emerged as major winners at the 26th edition of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre.
This year’s ceremony brought together artistes, industry stakeholders, and fans to celebrate excellence in Ghanaian music. Following a vibrant red carpet segment, the spotlight shifted to a thrilling night of award presentations and performances.
King Promise led the night with multiple wins, including the coveted Artiste of the Year, Best Afro-Pop Song for “Paris”, and Best Album/EP of the Year for his critically acclaimed project, True To Self, cementing his status as one of Ghana’s most influential Afro-Pop stars.
Kweku Smoke also had a remarkable night, clinching three awards for Best Rap Performance, Best Hip-Hop Song (both for Holy Ghost), and Best Hiplife/Hip-Hop Artiste, in a powerful showing that cemented his place in Ghana’s rap music scene.
Telecel Ghana Music Awards 2025
OlivetheBoy also earned notable recognition, winning Best Afrobeats Song with his breakout single “Asylum”, a track that has enjoyed massive airplay and chart success. In the African Song of the Year category, the viral hit “TSHWALABAM” by Titom featuring S.N.E, Yuppe, and Burna Boy clinched the award.
Organised under the auspices of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the TGMA has, over 25 years, evolved into a prestigious festival that honours artistic brilliance and contributes to Ghana’s cultural diplomacy.
The event also underscored the TGMA’s commitment to celebrating diverse sounds, empowering emerging talents, and showcasing Ghana’s impact on the global music map.
Here’s the full list of winners announced at the 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards:
Artiste of the Year
King Promise – Winner
Stonebwoy
Black Sherif
Kweku Smoke
Joe Mettle
King Paluta
Team Eternity
Best Afro-Pop Song
King Promise – “Paris” – Winner
Kwesi Arthur – “Fefe NE Fe”
Stonebwoy – “Jejereje”
Black Sherif – “January 9”
Smallgod Ft Black Sherif – “Fallen Angel”
Arathejay Ft Black Sherif – “Jesus Christ 2”
Collaboration of the Year
Kidi Ft Black Sherif – “Lomo Lomo” – Winner
Beeztrap Kotm & Oseikrom Osikani – “Fly Girl”
King Promise Ft Sarkodie & Olivetheboy – “Favourite Story”
Rap Fada Ft King Paluta – “Obo Bi Ye Bad”
Sarkodie Ft Beeztrap Kotm – “Amen”
Joe Mettle Ft Sandra Boakye Duah – “Give Me Oil”
Record of the Year
Ayisi – “Can I Live” – Winner
Kofi Kinaata – “Auntie AMA”
Smallgod Ft Black Sherif – “Fallen Angel”
Kwabena Kwabena – “Fakye Me”
Kweku Smoke – “Holy Ghost”
Best Traditional Gospel Song
Empress Gifty – “Watch Me” – Winner
Mog Music – “Wo Ye”
Piesie – “Ateene”
Diana Hamilton – “The Doing of the Lord”
Mavis Asante – “Victory”
Queendalyn Ft Judikay – “Omewoya”
Best Urban Contemporary Gospel Song
“Defe Defe” – Team Eternity Ghana – Winner
“Call” – Scott Evans
“Give Me Oil” – Joe Mettle Ft Sandra Boakye Duah
“Owanwani” – Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta
“Cast Your Burden” – Kobby Salm Ft s.o.n Music
“Dry Bones” – Ohemaa Mercy Ft Kofi Owusu Peprah
Best Gospel Artiste
Joe Mettle – Winner
Piesie Esther
Empress Gifty
Diana Hamilton
Team Eternity Ghana
MOG Music
Best Reggae/Dancehall Song
Stonebwoy – “Psalm 23” – Winner
Amerado Ft Samini – “Ankonam Remix”
Ras Kuuku – “Road of Evil”
Samini – “Chemistry”
Jupitar – “I Keep Winning”
Moliy & Silent Addy – “Shake It to the Ma”
Best Reggae/Dancehall Artiste
Stonebwoy – Winner
Jupitar
Samini
Ras Kuuku
Epixode
Rocky Dawuni
Telecel Most Popular Song
King Paluta – “Aseda” – Winner
Olivetheboy – “Asylum”
Kidi Ft Black Sherif – “Lomo Lomo”
Lasmid – “Puul”
Black Sherif – “January 9”
King Promise – “Paris”
Team Eternity – “Defe Defe”
Stonebwoy – “Jejereje”
Songwriter of the Year
Kofi Kinaata – “Saman” – Winner
Ayisi – “Can I Live”
Okyeame Kwame – “No Competition”
Olivetheboy – “Asylum”
Team Eternity Ghana – “Defe Defe”
Highlife Song of the Year
King Paluta – “Aseda” – Winner
Kuami Eugene – “Canopy”
Fameye – “Very Soon”
Amerado – “Abronoma”
Rap Fada Ft King Paluta – “Odo Bi Ye Bad”
Kofi Kinaata – “Effiakuma Broken Heart”
Hiplife Song of the Year
Tulenkey Ft Beeztrap Kotm – “Bad Feeling” – Winner
Eno Barony Ft King Paluta – “Soja Go Soja Come”
Black Sherif – “Rebel Music”
Okyeame Kwame Ft Kuami Eugene – “No Competition”
Sarkodie – “No Sir”
Lyrical Joe Ft Kuami Eugene – “Enter”
Best Male Vocal Performance
Joe Mettle – “Oba Awon Oba” — Winner
Kofi Nuel – “Do Not Fear”
Emmanueel Juddah – “Aseda”
Mog Music – “Ahuoden Fofro”
Ayisi – “Can I Live”
Best Female Vocal Performance
Esther Goodwyll – “I Choose to Praise” — Winner
Naana Asiedu – “Defe Defe”
Lordina the Soprano – “Simply Trusting Everyday”
Titi Owusu – “Nobody”
Mima Afrika – “On Fire”
Best Rap Performance
Kweku Smoke – “Holy Ghost” — Winner
Eno Barony – “No Manual”
Okyeame Kwame – “No Competition”
Sarkodie – “Brag”
Lyrical Joe – “5th August 8”
Flowking Stone – “King Is Back”
Best Hip Hop Song
Kweku Smoke – “Holy Ghost” – Winner
Joey B – “Princess”
Kwaw Kese Ft Kofi Mole – “Awoyo Sofo”
Black Sherif – “Kilos Milos”
Sarkodie Ft Beeztrap Kotm – “Amen”
Beeztrap Kotm & Oseikrom Osikani – “Fly Girl”
Best Afrobeats Song
Olivetheboy – “Asylum” – Winner
Lasmid – “Puul”
Kidi Ft Black Sherif – “Lomo Lomo”
Mr Drew – “Sneaky”
King Promise – “Favourite Story”
Beeztrap Kotm – “Yesu”
Best Hiplife/Hip Hop Artiste
Kweku Smoke – Winner
Amerado
Beeztrap KOTM
Black Sherif
King Paluta
Sarkodie
Medikal
Best New Artiste
Beeztrap KOTM – Winner
Lali x Lola
AratheJay
Rap Fada
Team Eternity
Kwesi Amewuga
Best Album/EP of the Year
King Promise – True To Self – Winner
Kweku Smoke – Kweku Jesus
King Paluta – Give Time Some Time
Stonebwoy – Up and Running
Kofi Kinaata – Kofi OO Kofi
Team Eternity Ghana – Testimony
Best Highlife Artiste
Fameye – Winner
Kofi Kinaata
Kuami Eugene
Sista Afia
Kwabena Kwabena
Best Afrobeats/Afro-PopArtiste
King Promise – Winner
Kidi
Camidoh
OliveTheBoy
Mr Drew
Lasmid
International Collaboration of the Year
Diana Hamilton Ft Mercy Chinwo – “The Doing of the Lord” – Winner
Joe Mettle Ft Sunmisola Agbebi – “Oba Awon Oba”
Stonebwoy Ft Odumodublvck – “Ekelebe”
King Promise Ft Shalipopi – “Continental”
Stonebwoy Ft Spice – “Jiggle and Whine”
Gambo Ft Edem & Jim Jones – “Drip Rmx”
Best Music Video
Stonebwoy – “Jejereje” (Directed by Banini) – Winner
Smallgod – “Fallen Angel” (Directed by Babs Direction)
Kofi Kinaata – “Auntie AMA” (Directed by Awudu Musa)
King Promise – “Continental” (Directed by Meekah Jagun)
Mzvee – “Peace of Mind” (Directed by Rex)
King Promise – “Keep It Sexy” (Directed by Rex)
African Song of the Year
Titom Ft s.n.e, Yuppe, Burna Boy – “Tshwala Bami” – Winner
Rema – “Ozeba”
Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow & Tebogo G Mashego Ft Sje Konka, Focalistic, DJ Maphorisa, Scotts Maphuma & Cowboii – “Biri Marung”
The American Music Awards is scheduled to take place on May 26, 2025, in Las Vegas and will be hosted by global pop icon, Jennifer Lopez.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
African stars: Wizkid, Rema, Tems, Tyla, and Asake have earned nominations for the prestigious 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs), further spotlighting the continent’s surging influence on the global music stage. The award is scheduled to take place on May 26, 2025, in Las Vegas and will be hosted by global Pop icon, Jennifer Lopez.
In the ‘Favourite Afrobeats Artistes’ category, five heavyweights artistes from Africa — Asake, Rema, Tems, Tyla, and Wizkid — will go head-to-head in a celebration of African rhythm, innovation, and cross-continental appeal. Notably, this category was first introduced in 2022, with Wizkid making history as its inaugural winner.
Tyla also scored an additional nod in the ‘Favourite Female R&B Artiste’ category, where she stands alongside Kehlani, Muni Long, Summer Walker, and SZA, a clear reflection of her rising stature within both the Afrobeats and R&B ecosystems.
American Music Awards
Established in 1974 by Dick Clark Productions, the American Music Awards honors outstanding achievements across genres like Pop, Rap, R&B, Afrobeats, Country, Latin, and K-Pop. Nominees are determined by key fan interactions, including streaming, sales, airplay, and touring, while winners are ultimately chosen through fan voting.
With multiple African acts earning nominations this year, the 2025 AMAs reaffirm the global resonance of Afrobeats and the star power emerging from the continent.
Check out the complete list of all the nominees here.
Freedom Way and Clarence Peters’ Inside Life took home the biggest awards of the night, despite winning only two awards each, while Lisabi: The Uprising and Seven Doors, the most nominated projects, were the most awarded with only three awards each.
By Vivian Nneka Nwajiaku
It was a night of single wins and the occasional double or triple win at the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs), which returned for its eleventh edition in Lagos on Saturday, 10th May.
A debut feature by director Afolabi Olalekan, produced by Blessing Uzzi, Freedom Way won the coveted Best Movie in addition to Best Writing in a Movie, while Clarence Peters’ Inside Life won Best Scripted Series and one acting category (Best Supporting Actor).
Freedom Way
Tanzanian series, Wa Milele? was awarded Best Unscripted Series but lost its second nomination for Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa) to Kenya’s Makosa Di Tangu which was one of two wins for Abel Mutua Musyoka—Best Writing in a TV Series for Untying Kantai and Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa) for Makosa Di Tangu.
Lisabi: The Uprising earned the most nominations of all films represented at the awards, ten in total including Best Movie, but left with the awards for Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa), Best Art Director, and Best MakeUp, with Hakeem Effect beating his own makeup work in two other projects (Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectreand Seven Doors) for which he was nominated in the same category.
Seven Doors, the most nominated project overall, with eleven nods including Best Scripted Series, won the two lead acting categories as well as Best Score/Music.
Awam Amkpa was named Best Director for The Man Died, the film’s only win out of two nominations, the other being Best Art Director which it lost to Lisabi: The Uprising.
In the acting categories, Femi Adebayo and Chioma Chukwuka were named Best Lead Actor and Best Lead Actress respectively for their performances in Seven Doors. Gabriel Afolayan won Best Supporting Actor for Clarence Peters’ Inside Life while Mercy Aigbe won Best Supporting Actress for Farmer’s Bride, the film’s only award of the night.
Inside Life
Despite receiving eight nods, Skeleton Coast failed to clinch any award; neither did The Weekend, which won the awards for Best Film, Achievement in Cinematography, and Achievement in Screenplay at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) late in 2024. Mai Martaba, Nigeria’s submission to the Oscars in 2024, also left with no award.
Other than Freedom Way, Clarence Peters’ Inside Life, Lisabi: The Uprising, and Seven Doors, other successful contenders in major categories left with one award each. Suspiciontook home Best Sound, Christmas in Lagos Best Costume Design, and Inkabi Best Editing. The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagosand Untying Kantai won their only nominations, Best Cinematography and Best Writing in a Series, respectively.
AMVCA
Finally, in the AMVCA flagship categories, Iyo Prosper Adokiye was named Best Digital Content Creator for We Listen We Don’t Judge (Bible Edition), director Kayode Kasum was named
AMVCA 2025 Trailblazer, and both Nkem Owoh and Sani Mu’azu were awarded the Industry Merit Award.
Below is the full list of nominations.
Best Movie
Lisabi: The Uprising (Adedimeji Lateef and Adebimpe Oyebade Adedimeji)
Skeleton Coast (Rogers Ofime, Panashe Daringo and Charles Okpaleke)
Suspicion (Tosin Igho)
Inkabi (Princess Mhlongo)
House of Ga’a (Bolanle Austen-Peters and Joseph Umoibom)
Freedom Way (Blessing Uzzi)(WINNER)
Christmas in Lagos (Jadesola Osiberu)
Farmer’s Bride (Kene Okwuosa, Craig Shurn and Ladun Awobokun)
Best Series (Scripted)
Clarence Peters’ Inside Life (Clarence Peters) (WINNER)
Seven Doors (Femi Adebayo)
Princess on a Hill (Chuka Ejorh, Shayo Oke Sobo, Tolu Ajayi, and Abiola Sobo)
Cheta’M (James Omokwe)
Roses & Ivy (Biodun Stephen)
Best Series (Unscripted)
Style Magnate (Abisola Omolade)
Skillers (The Builders Show) (Bright Jaja, Uche Ikejimba, and Cross Okonkwo)
Ebuka Turns Up Africa (Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Erika Klopper, Ziyanda Ngcaba, and Olamide Ayodeji Adedeji)
Wa Milele? (Forever)(Kefa Igilo and Jerryson Onasaa) (WINNER)
Uzoamaka Tries Palmwine (Chinekwu Osakwe and Kennedy Ezumah)
Connexion
