Inspiring Greatness Across a Continent and Beyond
Since its founding in 2016, EMY Africa has evolved into a multifaceted platform committed to celebrating excellence, promoting leadership, and shaping culture across Africa and the diaspora. What began as an awards has expanded into a far-reaching movement that inspires, empowers, and connects individuals, businesses, and communities through storytelling, events, recognition, and thought leadership.
Over the past decade, EMY Africa has honoured and engaged some of the most distinguished names in African and global leadership, business, arts, sports, media, and social impact. From presidents, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to changemakers, creators, and young innovators, our work cuts across generations and sectors––all driven by one guiding mission: to inspire greatness.
- Evolve – because transformation is at the heart of progress. EMY Africa nurtures growth, personal, professional, and societal, by supporting reinvention, innovation, and lifelong learning.
- Motivate – because stories spark action. We spotlight exceptional individuals and impactful work to inspire ambition, purpose, and leadership.
- Yield – because real greatness lies in results. EMY Africa celebrates not just potential, but realised impact; outcomes that uplift communities and shape legacies.
What We Do
The annual EMY Africa Awards promotes positive masculinity. It recognises and celebrates men (and a select group of women) who have made significant contributions to society in fields including business, governance, arts, sports, technology, philanthropy, and community development. With a rigorous selection process and a growing international footprint, the awards have become one of the most respected honours on the continent.
A spotlight on Africa’s emerging icons, Generation Now is a dynamic initiative that identifies, showcases, and empowers the next generation of African trailblazers under 40. Through an annual magazine issue, curated forums, brunches, and networking activations, Generation Now creates visibility and a path for lateral networking among innovators, creators, and changemakers shaping the future of the continent.
Launched in 2024, the EMY Africa Expo is a vibrant 4-day fair that blends business, lifestyle, culture, and innovation. It provides a platform for African enterprises, legacy brands, SMEs, and startups to connect with consumers, potential investors, and strategic partners. With curated exhibitions, panel discussions, concerts, art shows, product launches, and experiential activations, the Expo is where commerce meets creativity.
A high-level thought leadership platform, the Africa Rising Symposium gathers influential voices from the continent and the diaspora to interrogate Africa’s evolving place in the world. Held in global cities such as London (in partnership with the London School of Economics) and New York (in partnership with New York University), the symposium has become a centrepiece for forward-looking conversations on leadership, policy, innovation, and identity.
The EMY Africa Magazine is a premium lifestyle and culture publication that captures the people, movements, and ideas shaping modern Africa. With compelling interviews, in-depth features, and powerful photography, the magazine documents excellence in business, culture, sports, fashion, innovation, and social progress. It is available in both print and digital formats and includes issues such as the Generation Now Issue, Game Changers Issue, the Awards Issue and the Special Issue.
An intimate platform for cross-generational dialogue, the Inspiring Greatness Forum brings together established icons and emerging leaders in a series of fireside chats, mentorship sessions, and keynotes. The aim is to bridge experience with ambition and help Africa’s young talents learn from the lived journeys of those who have walked the path of impact and leadership.
As part of its global outreach, EMY Africa curates elegant, high-impact soirées in key African and diaspora cities. These gatherings bring together honourees, past winners, dignitaries, and influential figures in business, arts, media, and governance for networking, celebration, and strategic engagement.
A Platform.
A Movement.
A Legacy.
A Platform. A Movement. A Legacy.
What sets EMY Africa apart is its commitment to storytelling as a tool for empowerment. Through magazine covers, award citations, curated exhibitions, or symposia, we tell African stories from the lens of strength, possibility, and leadership. At the heart of our work is a belief in the power of recognition, and the ripple effect it creates when individuals are seen, celebrated, and elevated.