Nigerian sensation Ayra Starr has made history at the MOBO Awards 2026, winning Best International Act for the second consecutive year during tonight’s 30th anniversary ceremony at the Co-op Live arena.
The “Sabi Girl” successfully defended her international title after a groundbreaking 2025 campaign where she became the first African female artist to win both Best International Act and Best African Music Act.
Her back-to-back victory places her in an elite league of Nigerian stars, joining Wizkid and Burna Boy as the only acts to win the International category multiple times.
Starr emerged victorious from a highly competitive shortlist featuring Cardi B, Gunna, Kehlani, Tyla, Mariah the Scientist, Clipse, and Vybz Kartel.
While she yielded the Best African Music Act title to Wizkid this year, her international repeat underscores her rapid ascent as a global pop force.
The win caps a monumental lead-up for the 23-year-old, which includes two 2026 Grammy nominations for her work on “Gimme Dat” with Wizkid and a major support slot on Coldplay’s stadium tour.
Her victory further cements Afrobeats’ growing dominance on the world stage.
