WINDHOEK, Namibia: The Namibia Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) have opened submissions for their 2026/27 edition, giving Namibian artists and music industry professionals another opportunity to enter work across about 38 categories.
The 11th edition of the awards will recognise achievements in Namibian music since 2020 and is being conducted under the leadership of the Namibian government, with the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, the National Theatre of Namibia and the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation involved in the programme.
The NAMAs were officially launched on 5 August 2026, with submissions opening on 10 August. The original submission deadline of 11 September has since been extended to 1 October 2026 at 17:00, giving artists additional time to enter.
The awards cover a broad range of genres and professional roles within Namibia’s music industry.
Categories include Best Single, Best Folklore Music Contribution, Best Langarm Album, Best Ma/Gaisa Album, Best Oviritje Album, Best Shambo Album, Best Epera Album and Best Sikokoshi Album.
Other genre categories include Best Dance Music Album, covering House, Amapiano, Afro Tech, Progressive House and EDM; Best African Contemporary Album, covering Afro fusion, Soukous or Kwasa Kwasa, Kwiku and Kizomba; Best Urban Popular Music Album, covering Afro Pop, Afrobeats and Township Disco; Best Kwaito Album; Best Gospel Album; Best R&B/Soul Album; Best Rap/Hip Hop Album; Best Reggae/Dancehall Album; and Best Jazz/Blues Album.
The awards will also recognise Best Rock/Alternative Album, Best Instrumental Award, Best Collaboration, Best Choir Album, Best Music Video and Best Live Music Performance.
Several categories will not require direct entries. These include Most Streamed Song, Most Radio Played Song, Best Song, Best Album Award, Best Overall Artist, Best Newcomer, Best Producer and Best Duo/Group.
Special recognition will also be given through the Lifetime Achievement, Music Development and International Achievement categories.
The public will have a role in deciding the Song of the Year through the People’s Choice Award.
Five categories have been designated as Premier Awards: Best Overall Artist, Best Newcomer, Best Duo/Group, Best Album of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award.
Artists can enter eligible categories themselves at no cost, with the organisers encouraging applicants to use the NAMAs online submission dashboard.
Each applicant must create one online profile and complete a separate entry for every category entered. Mandatory information and supporting documentation must be supplied, with documents submitted in PDF format.
Entries can be submitted by artists or authorised representatives such as managers, record labels and agents. Artists must consent to submissions made on their behalf and remain responsible for ensuring that all information and documentation is accurate and complete.
The extended deadline is 1 October 2026 at 17:00, and entries received after the deadline will not be accepted.
For artists without access to digital submission facilities, physical applications will also be accommodated.
Physical entries must be placed in sealed envelopes and include a completed application form, all required supporting documents and a clearly labelled USB containing the submission material.
Artists entering multiple categories must provide a separate application form and USB folder for each category.
Each physical submission envelope must carry the applicant’s legal full name, artist or professional name where applicable, region, email address and telephone number.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their documents and files are complete, legible and properly labelled.
The NAMAs will not accept entries by email or WhatsApp. Physical submissions must be made using USB flash drives, while CDs, external hard drives and other storage devices will not be accepted.
Late, incomplete, unsigned, illegible, incorrectly labelled or improperly sealed physical applications may be disqualified. Physical applications and USB drives will not be returned.
Artists making physical submissions must also sign the submission register at the designated submission office when delivering their applications.
The organisers are advising artists to submit their entries ahead of the deadline and check that all required information and supporting material has been provided.
The awards programme includes vetting and compliance checks, adjudication, auditing and finalisation of results before nominees are announced on 4 December 2026.
The awards ceremony is scheduled for 26 January 2027.
The NAMAs website is currently being updated, while printed application forms are available at all MICT Regional Offices. The forms can also be downloaded online for artists making physical submissions.
Information sessions are planned across Namibia’s regions, with dates expected to be announced separately.
Artists requiring assistance with their applications can call or WhatsApp 0812871360 or 0812872892.
Forms and supporting documents are available through the NAMAs forms and documents page.
The organisers have also created a WhatsApp channel for updates on the 2027 awards programme. Join the NAMAs WhatsApp channel
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