30 Best African Praise Songs By Great Artists

Several African praise songs have been released over the years by some of the best musical talents on the continent. Though tongues, tribes, and cultures may differ, the gospel of Jesus Christ has remained the central message around the melody and lyrics of these praise songs.

No doubt, several African praise songs by great gospel artists are currently in circulation. However, there are some particular melodies that continue to stand out. This could largely be attributed to their lyrical content, production quality, impact, acceptance, and for some, the artist’s prominence.

Best African Praise Songs Everyone Should Know About

1. Hallelujah

Artist: Nathaniel Bassey
Album: Hallelujah Again
Released: 2021
Country: Nigeria

Nigeria’s foremost gospel singer; Nathaniel Bassey is known for several songs like Book of Life, The Son of God, and Names of God. Though he has always been known, his recent #HallelujaChallange added to his popularity.

The medley has been on the repeat of many people’s playlists owing to its excellent vocal, production, and lyrical quality. More so, the music video of the song is a top-notch blend of Western and African traditional costumes, instruments, and choreography.

2. Sound of Praise

Artist: Joe Mettle
Album: Single Release
Released: 2014
Country: Ghana

Sound of Praise remains one of the best African Praise songs written and performed by Ghana’s award-winning gospel singer; Joe Mettle.

In 2014, Sound of Praise became the Best Praise song of the year as confirmed by CCML Ghana Gospel Awards.

3. Glorious Life

Artist: Deborah Lukalu
Album: Call Me Favour (Live)
Released: 2018
Country: Congo

One of Africa’s best gospel artists is undoubtedly Deborah Lukaku. She is an international Congolese singer famous for many songs. However, the piece that has pushed her into the spotlight is Glorious Life which was released in 2018 during the Live recording of her album Call Me Favour.

4. Siyabonga Jesu (Wa Hamba Nathi)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guiPmwwwXPU

Artist: Solly Mahlangu
Album: Single Release
Released: 2014
Country: South Africa

The song Wahamba nathi was sung in Zulu and Sotho. It immediately received wide acceptance in most African countries and beyond even though it was performed in South African dialects. Be that as it may, the summary of Solly Mahlangu’s hit song is that God walked with us through thick and thin and we are thanking Him in return.

5. Na You Dey Reign

Artist: Mercy Chinwo
Album: Satisfied
Released: 2020
Country: Nigeria

Na You De Reign is one of Mercy Chinwo’s hit songs sung in pidgin English; an unofficial language common in most parts of Nigeria.

Mercy Chinwo happens to be a seasoned gospel artist and winner of the 2012 Nigerian Idol. She is known for many other beautiful songs like Excess love (2018).

6. Khaya Mthethwa

Artist: Khaya Mthethwa
Album: The Dawn (Live)
Released: 2016
Country: South Africa

Right from its initial release in 2016, Khaya’s Never Settle for Less has been a wonderful tune that has been unable to vanish into thin air.

Although it was first heard within the borders of South Africa, it has become a global worship song that is being enjoyed by many congregations.

7. Ngibe Muhle Nami

Artist: Rebecca Malope
Album: Siyabonga
Released: 2005
Country: South Africa

Rebecca Malope has been an active gospel singer since 1984 and has released dozens of albums. Her song Ngibe Muhle Nami is believed to be one of her best by some of her fans in South Africa and beyond.

8. Halala Ngo Jesu

Artist: Derrick Nzimande
Album: Derrick Ndzimande Greatest Hits Vol. 2
Released: 2002
Country: South Africa

Derrick could be referred to as a little old-fashioned but his songs have remained on the lips of most lovers of gospel music in South Africa.

Halala NgoJesu is one of the best hits of Derrick despite being released about 2 decades ago.

9. Bow Down and Worship Him

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDFJPmHF3mQ

Artist: Benjamin Dube
Album: Worship in Isolation
Released: 2002 (First released)
Country: South Africa

The song Bow Down and Worship Him was first released in 2004 by South Africa’s leading gospel singer, Benjamin Dube.

The song is known to have been a blessing to several people within and outside the African continent. More so, several gospel artists have performed the cover of the song and several years after the original version of the song was released, it is still being sung by many artists and church congregations.

10. Omemma

Artist: Judikay
Album: Man of Galilee
Released: 2021
Country: Nigeria

Jukikay’s Omemma happens to be one of the greatest hits in her 2021 album. The song was recorded live and so far has over 50 million views on youtube.

Jukiday comes from the eastern part of Nigeria but her songs are phenomenal tunes that resonate across the African continent and beyond.

11. You Too Dey Bless Me

Artist: Frank Edwards
Album: Definition
Released: 2008
Country: Nigeria

Meaning you always bless me, Frank’s You Too Dey Bless Me has also been a top hit from his Definition album of 2018. The song has had many covers by several artists in Nigeria and also Africa.

12. Bigger

Artist: Moses Bliss
Album: Too Faithful
Released: 2021
Country: Nigeria

With a fantastic harmonical ‘humm,’ Moses Bliss introduces his 2021 hit track Bigger from his Too Faithful album which was released in 2021.

The song featured artists like Festizie, Membrane, Uwa, Chris Heaven, and Temple and has since its release remained top of Africa’s praise songs owing to the number of performances and covers the song has gained.

13. Imolede

Artist: Dunsin Oyekan
Album: Kingdom Now
Released: 2019
Country: Nigeria

To so many lovers of Dunsin’s music, Imolede stands out as one of the best songs the singer has ever released. The song was nominated for the Song of Excellence award at the 2019 Africa Gospel Music and Media Awards (AGMMA).

Dunsin Oyekan remains one of Nigeria’s foremost gospel ministers also known as ‘The Eagle’. He has done many collaborations with gospel singers from all over the world.

14. You Are Able

Artist: Ada Ehi
Album: Future Now
Released: 2017
Country: Nigeria

So many people that came to know Ada did so through her 2017 hit song You Are Able. The song currently has thousands of views on YouTube and has witnessed many covers.

Ada remains a renowned Christian music songwriter and singer based in Nigeria.

15. I Know Who I Am

Artist: Sinach
Album: Shout It Loud
Released: 2012
Country: Nigeria

From the moment it was released, I Know Who I Am by Sinach became an anthem in many congregations within and out of Nigeria. Though Sinach has released several songs ever since, this one has remained evergreen.

16. Your Love Has Taken Over Me

Artist: Frank Edwards
Album: Single Release
Released: 2016
Country: South Africa

Under the Canopy was released to commemorate Rocktown’s 7th Anniversary celebration.

Frank Edwards premieres the visuals for his highly acclaimed single Under The Canopy and the anticipated video is a colorful carnival with hundreds of extras and dancers. It also features cameo appearances from Fiokee, Victor Ike, King Bas, Mayomusic, and more. The song is still one of Africa’s best praise songs.

17. Ngeke ngiyeke ukuthandaza

Artist: Deborah Frase
Album: Uhambo
Released: 201
Genre: Gospel

Ngeke ngiyeke ukuthandaza became a hit single shortly after its release. It helped Deborah win several awards including the SABC Crown Gospel Music award in the Best Female category among others.

18. My God is Good

Artist: Joyous Celebration
Album: Joyous Celebration 13 (Live at Mosaiek Theatre)
Released: 2009
Country: South Africa

There is hardly any praise worship session that does not feature the song My God is Good. Since the release of the song in 2009, both Africans and non-Africans completely fell in love with the live praise medley which was sung by one of the best gospel singing groups in South Africa – Joyous Celebration. The song was led by one of the group’s top praise leaders, Uche.

19. Mateke

Artist: Linet Munyali
Album: Single Release
Released: 2013
Genre: Gospel

Mateke is one of Linet’s best songs. She released it shortly after she got born again, shunning circular music.

The song became a huge success in Kenya and the video of the song clinched the 2014 Groove Awards.

20. Go Tseba Jehovah

Artist: Winnie Mashaba
Album: Go Tseba Jehovah
Released: 2010
Country: South Africa

Winnie Mashaba stands as one of Africa’s gospel music icons with several wonderful songs including Go Tseba Jehova.

Some of her honors include the South African Music Awards (SAMA), South African Gospel Awards, and Metro FM Music Awards. Furthermore, she was named Best Female Artist at the Crown Gospel Awards in 2010, the same year she released GoTseba Jehovah.

21. One God

Artist: David Wonder
Album: Single Release
Released: 2021
Country: Kenya

David is one of Kenya’s finest gospel artists. His 2021 hit single One God has remained a sensation to date, attracting thousands of views and downloads every day. The song was inspired by 1 Timothy 2: 5-6.

22. Imela

Artist: Solomon Lange
Album: Alheri
Released: 2012
Country: Nigeria

When looking for one of the songs that have been listened to in almost every part of Nigeria, Solomon Lange’s Imela will definitely feature on the list. Though it was released about a decade ago, the song has remained fresh and relevant for many African praise worship leaders and congregations.

23. Better Is a Day

Artist: Chigo Grace
Album: Breath In Me
Released: 2019
Country: Malawi

Chigo is a very popular gospel artist in Malawi. She is a powerful vocalist and instrumentalist known to have written and performed several songs.

Her song Better Day is lauded to have amazing production quality and lyrical content.

24. Intethelelo

Artist: Joyous Celebration
Album: Joyous Celebration 4
Released: 2004
Country: South Africa

Joyous celebration is a group known for several amazing songs. What makes Intethelelo stand out is the amazing costumes and dance performed by the talented band. Even though the singers gave the song a dramatic flavor, their voices were still of the best quality in the song.

25. Ridza Bhosvo

Artist: Sebastin Magacha
Album: Tinaye Faithful God
Released: 2013
Country: Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s Sebastin Magacha is also another finest of Africa’s gospel artists. He is currently rated one of the best because of his artistic prowess.

He sang Ridza Bhosvo in 2013 but the song is still a sensation to date for many of his teaming fans.

26. Onaga (It’s Working)

Artist: JJ Hairston Ft. Tim Godfrey
Album: Single Release
Released: 2019
Country: Nigeria

Onaga was released by JJ Hairston Ft Tim. Godfrey and Youthful Praise in 2019 and has since remained top on the chats of African praise songs. The song has remained evergreen and popular in Nigeria and beyond.

27. Wandaga Ekissa

Artist: Judith Babirye
Album: Halleluya
Released: 2015
Country: Uganda

Wandaga Ekissa is one of Judith’s top songs released in 2015.

Judith is one of her county’s most popular gospel singers having released several excellent praise worship songs over the years.

28. Ndimi

Artist: Janet Manyowa
Album: Sound of Victory
Released: 2020
Country: South Africa

Ndimi as written and performed by Janet Manyowa has made the singer clinch awards such as Best Female Artist of Star FM in 2020. The Song also made it to Trace Africa’s Gospel hit 303 in 2020.

29. Victory

Artist: Eben
Album: Single Release
Released: 2017
Country: Nigeria

Eben’s Victory is another top African praise song that has refused to fade with the passage of time. Since its initial release in 2017, the song has retained its impact.

30. Kumama Papa

Artist: Grace Lokwa
Album: Single Release
Released: 2022
Country: Congo

Lokwa came into the limelight after his ‘Kumama Papa‘ video went viral on social media, also following a refix version of the song by Prinx Emmanuel which inspired a challenge that took over social media.

The singer was later brought to Nigeria by Moses Bliss who took him to a number of live events. He also got a record deal with Spotlight Entertainment.