Shali Ahmed, the newly appointed Deputy Director of the Video Vixen Awards, is taking a central role in redefining the visual music landscape. He is positioning the upcoming 2026 Video Vixen Awards ceremony in Kigali as a landmark initiative for women's empowerment across the continent and beyond.
In an exclusive interview, Ahmed shared his vision for the creative community. As a multi-award-winning industry figure and seasoned actor, Ahmed brings extensive firsthand experience to the leadership team. He promises to use his new executive platform to champion deep, structural changes for female creatives.
"Given my experience, I believe I bring the right capacity to this role," Ahmed stated. "I am immensely thankful to the team for trusting me with this responsibility, and I will do everything in my power to shape these awards into a platform that truly honors what these women deserve."
A Visionary Advocate for Female Creatives
Under Ahmed’s leadership, the Video Vixen Awards 2026 have been strategically designed to focus on gender empowerment. His approach is rooted in a core philosophy: uplifting women drives universal societal progress. Ahmed is actively challenging global perceptions, urging corporate brands and music directors to view video vixens as powerful marketing drivers rather than mere background talent.
"Our main purpose is to make the world value the contribution of these talented women," Ahmed explained. "We want artists, directors, and major corporate brands to recognize them as tycoons in marketing and key figures within the creative economy."
Beyond the glitz of the upcoming ceremony, Ahmed revealed that his mandate includes long-term policy advocacy. He is currently laying the groundwork to fight for the legal rights of video models, aiming to secure crucial intellectual property protections and formal royalty distributions for the music videos they help make viral.
"We want women in this field to get more than just a flat performance fee. They deserve career longevity, commercial endorsements, and the same celebrity status as other mainstream music icons," Ahmed emphasized.
Driving a Global Showcase in Kigali
Ahmed’s global outreach has already yielded massive results for this year's edition, attracting top-tier nominees from across the world, including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, the United States, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Namibia, and Gabon.
Under his supervision, the competition features rigorous, specialized categories aimed at highlighting diverse skills. These include Best Video Vixen, Best New Video Vixen, Best Photogenic Video Vixen, Best Iconic Video Vixen, and Best Dance Video Vixen.
Key Powerhouses to Watch This Year
Several high-profile nominees championed by Ahmed’s committee are already generating significant buzz ahead of the main event:
Datress (Uganda): Nominated for Best Dance Video Vixen, Datress has dominated the visual scene, appearing in over 60 music videos and standing tall as one of East Africa's top visual artists.
Tiana (Rwanda/Burundi): A brilliant dual-market standout prominent in both Kigali and Bujumbura, securing double nominations for Best Photogenic Video Vixen and Best Video Vixen.
Celine Cruz & Skyler (Tanzania): Two of Tanzania's most prominent, trending visual models who consistently feature alongside the region's largest musical acts.
Public Voting Now Open: How to Cast Your Ballot
Ahmed and his organizing committee have confirmed that public voting is officially underway to decide the winners of this historic edition.
To support your favorite nominees and join Ahmed's mission of elevating the creative sector, music and arts enthusiasts worldwide can cast their ballots online right now.
Vote Today: Head over to the official voting platform at africavotes.com to make your voice heard.
Through Ahmed's strategic direction, this summer's event is set to position Kigali as the premier global hub for celebrating, formalizing, and respecting the visual arts economy. Keep your eyes locked on Kelele UG for all the exclusive updates, red-carpet looks, and final results straight from Kigali!
