EMY Africa Rising Symposium 2025 - Event Review by Norman Busigu (Official Press)

Global policymakers, creatives, and business leaders gathered at the London School of Economics (LSE) for the second annual EMY Africa Rising Symposium, a high-level forum shaping the future of Africa. Held in partnership with the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, the event took place at the Sheikh Zayed Theatre under the theme "Beyond Potential: Africa's Age of Performance."

The London symposium on July 19 2025 followed the companion event hosted at New York University on July 11 2025. Both gatherings explored actionable strategies to address Africa's complex challenges across business, policy, and the creative industries.

In his opening remarks, Professor David Luke emphasized the symposium's unique position as a platform for bold ideas and cross-sector collaboration: "This event brings together bold thinkers, visionary leaders, and global collaborators to interrogate Africa's evolving place in the world."

Policy dialogue took center stage with UK Member of Parliament Bell Ribeiro-Addy urging for deeper ties between the African diaspora and the continent. "We must foster a genuine culture of partnership and collaboration," she stated. "Only then will we see results that are truly mutually beneficial."

Fred Rugamba, a representative of Visit Rwanda, added local context, highlighting Rwanda's principle of "umushyikirano," a model that inspires participatory dialogue and inclusive governance across the continent.

In a session on Africa's creative industries, award-winning Nigerian actor and producer Richard Mofe-Damijo, BBC journalist Nyasha Michelle, and Sony Music Africa Director Taponeswa Mavunga urged the continent's storytellers to take ownership of their narratives. "Stop waiting on Western media and Hollywood for permission," said Michelle. Mavunga emphasized the importance of digital media: "The media landscape has been democratized. Social platforms give us power; we must use it."

Kojo Soboh, Founder and Executive Director of EMY Africa, closed the event with an impassioned call to action: "What we owe our youth is hope. They are our greatest asset."

The event concluded with a networking reception, leaving attendees energized and optimistic. The EMY Africa Rising Symposium will return in 2026, continuing its mission to serve as a catalyst for transgenerational change.

British-Ugandan broadcaster and filmmaker Norman Busigu covered the symposium as official press for his platform Postcards From The Diaspora (PFTD), accompanied by PFTD's Senior Editor Yasmin Minnis. Busigu's recent press credentials include Cannes Lions, Afro Nation Portugal, and a Platinum All-Access pass to SXSW London. This review was also featured in Yahoo! Finance