The Africa Choice Awards is set to bring together African stars, creatives, and industry leaders in Pretoria for its seventh edition under the theme "The Culture Reigns". The ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 1, at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria. This year's edition will focus on African creativity and cultural exchange. The event aims to go beyond the traditional awards ceremony and provide a platform for culture, business, and diplomacy to intersect.
The 2026 edition of the Africa Choice Awards will celebrate leading African and international talent. Personalities associated with the event include Femi Kuti, Mohamed Ramadan, and Connie Ferguson. The nominee list reflects the continental scope of the awards, with South African, Nigerian, Ghanaian, Kenyan, Ugandan, Mozambican, Zimbabwean, and Cameroonian talent represented across various categories. The event will also provide opportunities for African entrepreneurs, investors, creatives, tourism stakeholders, diplomatic missions, and other industry players to connect and explore collaborations.
The theme "The Culture Reigns" is supported by the platforms "Creative Next Generation" and "From Creation to Celebration". These platforms reflect the awards' focus on the people shaping Africa's creative landscape across music, film and television, fashion, art, media, design, and storytelling. The organisers aim to strengthen relationships between African communities, particularly at a time when conversations around xenophobia and the relationship between African countries continue to make headlines.
The message behind the 2026 edition is simple: "Africa, come meet Africa in South Africa." The event aims to use culture as a bridge for greater understanding while creating opportunities for collaboration in areas including entertainment, tourism, technology, fashion, media, and the wider creative economy. African music and entertainment remain central to the event, with a focus on celebrating African creativity and culture.
The Africa Choice Awards 2026 will feature a number of emerging and established African creatives. Some of the South African names featured include Mihlali Ndamase, Bonang Matheba, Nomzamo Mbatha, Thuso Mbedu, Siya Kolisi, Shudufhadzo Musida, Thando Thabethe, and DJ Sbu. The event will provide a platform for African creatives to showcase their work and connect with industry leaders and investors.
According to Puni Modiboa, managing director of Mmina Tshipi Integrated Marketing Communications and license holder of the Africa Choice Awards South Africa, the theme represents the wider influence of African culture. Modiboa stated that the awards are intended to become a meeting point where culture meets business and creativity meets investment, while encouraging Africans to build relationships beyond national borders.
The Africa Choice Awards will take place on November 1, 2026, at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria. The event aims to celebrate African creativity and culture while promoting greater understanding and collaboration between African communities. The awards will recognise achievements across entertainment and the creative industries, with a focus on the people shaping Africa's creative landscape.
Key points
- The Africa Choice Awards will celebrate African creativity and culture at its seventh edition in Pretoria on November 1, 2026.
- The event aims to provide a platform for culture, business, and diplomacy to intersect, with opportunities for African entrepreneurs, investors, and creatives to connect and explore collaborations.
- The theme "The Culture Reigns" reflects the awards' focus on the people shaping Africa's creative landscape across music, film and television, fashion, art, media, design, and storytelling.
