Trace Awards & Festival 2023

To celebrate 20 years of promoting and supporting African and Afro-inspired music, Trace staged the 1st Trace Awards & Festival at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda on 21 October 2023. The show was televised live to 350 million viewers and music fans around the world on Trace channels in 180 countries.

The nominees for the Awards were announced on 21 August 2023, with fans voting online.

Davido and Burna Boy led the nominations with four nominations each. Asake, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Ayra Starr, Yemi Alade, and Fireboy DML, all received three nominations each. Rema and Davido had the highest award winnings at the maiden edition by securing 2 awards each at the ceremony. The event hosts were D'banj and Maria Borges. The Trace Awards honors African outstanding achievements in African and Afro-inspired music and culture.

Background
On 20 October 2023, Trace held a press conference at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (KCEV), where the Head of Tourism and Conservation Department of Rwanda, Ariella Kageruka highlighted the benefits of the awards, and its impact on the nation. The awards ceremony was broadcast locally on Kigali Channel 2 (KC2 TV) in Rwanda, and internationally on Trace Urban, Trace Africa, Trace Gospel, Trace Toca, Trace Tropical, Trace Mziki, and Trace FM.

Performers
On 6 September 2023, Trace confirmed the following performers:


 * Davido
 * Yemi Alade
 * Kizz Daniel
 * Asake
 * Black Sherif
 * Viviane Chidid
 * Didi B
 * Josey
 * Benjamin Dube
 * Blxckie
 * Bruce Melodie
 * Bwiza
 * Dystinct
 * Janet Otieno
 * Kalash
 * Soraia Ramos
 * Lisandro Cuxi
 * Locko
 * Mikl
 * Perola
 * Plutonio
 * Princess Lover
 * Ronisia
 * Rutshelle Guillaume
 * Tayc
 * Terell Elymoor
 * Bamby
 * The Compozers

Nominees and winners
Below are listed nominees and winners. Winners are listed first in bold.