A scene from the soirée
London became the beating heart of African excellence this July, as EMY Africa brought its 10th anniversary celebrations to the British capital with a powerful blend of intellect, elegance, and diaspora unity.
From policy discussions and business innovation to soulful performances and red carpet moments, the weekend brought together changemakers and icons in a way that only EMY Africa can.
In partnership with the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), EMY Africa started the weekend by hosting the Africa Rising Symposium on Saturday, July 19, 2025, under the theme “Beyond Potential: Africa’s Age of Performance.”
The esteemed Sheikh Zayed Theatre transformed into a hub of ideas and leadership, where some of the most respected voices in African business, governance, and culture took centre stage for panels, fireside chats, and high-level exchanges. Conversations spanned sustainable infrastructure, diaspora investment, creative economies, and homegrown reform.
Some of the most compelling sessions featured Dr. James Orleans-Lindsay, who delivered a deeply personal keynote address about building beyond rhetoric, and Alex Dadey, who delivered a candid fireside chat about scaling a business empire in Africa.
Other speakers include Joe Kinvi (Founder, Borderless), Ope Onibokun (Investment Director, British International Investment), Timothy Folaranmi (Managing Associate, Mishcon de Reya LLP), Bell Ribeiro-Addy (MP, UK House of Commons), Fred Rugamba (Visiting Rwanda), Guy Kioni (CEO, Missang), Taponeswa Mavunga (Sony Music UK), Nyasha Michelle (BBC Journalist), Richard Mofe-Damijo (Actor & Producer), and Chris Albert-Soboh (Editor-in-Chief, EMY Africa Magazine).
And as the lights dimmed at the symposium, the scene shifted across town to The Waldorf Hilton the next day for the EMY Africa Soirée, an invite-only gathering of elegance, storytelling, and a vibrant celebration. Set against a backdrop of live music and curated cultural moments, the soirée was a reunion of excellence. Glasses clinked, style reigned, and conversations sparked future collaborations across the diaspora.
The soirée hosted an influential cast of special guests: Dr. James Orleans-Lindsay, 2024 Man of the Year & Executive Chairman of JL Holdings; Alex Dadey, 2023 Man of the Year & Executive Chairman of KGL Group; legendary Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo; Lady Princess Bright, Mayor of Barking and Dagenham; British TV icon Rudolf Walker; bestselling author and spiritual leader Touré Roberts; fashion designer David Wej; celebrated speaker Michelle McKinney Hammond; Ghanaian international band The Compozers, among many others.
Just a week before London, EMY Africa landed for the first time in the United States with the Africa Rising Symposium at New York (NY) University on Friday, July 11. Under the theme “Voices of a Rising Continent,” the event turned the spotlight on the African diaspora’s growing role in shaping the global narrative through finance, fashion, storytelling, and policymaking.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke