It was a rousing reception for the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union Commission, AUC, as the awards project held its AFRIMA 2015 Stakeholders’ Conference for the northern region of Africa in Morocco on Thursday, July 23 at the Sofitel Hotel, Casablanca. On Friday, July 24.
The AFRIMA delegation also had extensive and successful deliberations with the government of Kingdom of Morocco in the capital city of Rabat as represented by Ministers of Foreign Affairs and cooperation, Mbarka Bouaida; Culture, Mohammed Amine Sbihi and Director, strategy and Cooperation, Ministry of Tourism, Tarik Sadik.
“The entry submission was between May 18 and July 20; however, this has been extended after we received overwhelming requests from music professionals across Africa. The International Committee has set Friday, July 31 for the closing date of submission. We hope the artistes and journalists will take advantage of this extension to be a part of the awards this year”.
There was enthusiastic response from the participants during the interactive session. The predominant question asked by the Moroccan artistes and journalists present bordered on the process by which Morocco could bid to host the awards ceremony after Nigeria.
“The bidding process is open to all African countries. Three countries have shown interest already and if we get an official notification of interest from the government of Morocco, before the bidding deadline of January 26, 2016, it will be more competitive”.
The conference closed on a high note with guests networking and indulging in Moroccan cocktail provided by Sofitel Hotel.