NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenyan singer, songwriter and guitarist Nina Ogot has won an international music award after her song “Zawadi” earned the Best of Africa – African Pop honour at the 2026 InterContinental Music Awards (ICMA).
The win places Ogot among the African musicians recognised at this year’s global awards, which celebrate artists across different regions and musical genres.
The official ICMA winners list confirms Ogot as the winner of the Best of Africa – African Pop category for “Zawadi.”
The award recognises the song as the top entry in the African Pop category and gives Ogot another international milestone in her music career.
“Zawadi”, which means “gift” in Swahili, showcases Ogot’s approach to combining Kenyan musical traditions with contemporary sounds.
The track features a vibrant live performance while drawing from traditional Kenyan and Luo influences and blending them with modern Afro-pop.
That combination has become an important part of Ogot’s musical identity, as she continues to incorporate elements of Kenyan culture into contemporary music.
Her ICMA win follows the song’s selection among the finalists in the Best of Africa – African Pop category. Ogot ultimately emerged as the winner, securing what the awards describe as the Golden Prize for the category. The 2026 InterContinental Music Awards brought together musical entries from different parts of the world.
According to the organisers, the competition’s entries were evaluated by an international jury based in Los Angeles. The panel includes Grammy Award winners, Grammy voting members, orchestra conductors and experienced music producers.
Following the announcement, Ogot took to Instagram to celebrate the recognition.
The singer expressed her honour at bringing the international prize home, sharing her excitement with her followers after the winners were announced.
Ogot has built her reputation around music that connects contemporary African sounds with traditional Kenyan influences.
Her work often incorporates elements of Kenyan culture and heritage while remaining accessible to modern audiences.
Ogot is known not only as a vocalist but also as a songwriter and guitarist.
Her music has explored different aspects of Kenyan identity, culture and everyday life while drawing from genres including Afro-pop, Afro-fusion, soul and jazz.
She has also performed extensively outside Kenya, taking her music to international audiences and participating in cultural and music festivals.
Her international career has included appearances in Europe and other parts of the world, where she has continued to showcase Kenyan music.
The recognition at the ICMA adds another international accolade to that journey.
One of the defining elements of “Zawadi” is its connection to Kenyan musical traditions.
Ogot incorporates Luo influences into a contemporary arrangement, creating a sound that retains its cultural identity while drawing from modern African Pop.
The live-recorded quality of the song also places emphasis on performance, an area in which Ogot has developed considerable experience.
Her ability to combine traditional influences with contemporary arrangements has allowed her to appeal to audiences interested in both Kenyan heritage and modern African music.
Ogot’s ICMA win comes at a time when African music continues to gain visibility on international platforms.
While Afrobeats has dominated much of the global conversation around African music, artists working in other African styles have increasingly found opportunities to showcase different regional sounds.
Ogot’s recognition provides another platform for Kenyan music, particularly music that incorporates indigenous cultural influences.
Her win also highlights the diversity within African Pop, demonstrating that the genre extends beyond the sounds most commonly associated with the continent’s global music exports.
The Best of Africa – African Pop award adds to Ogot’s growing list of achievements as she continues to develop her career.
