EMY Africa Lights Up Washington, D.C. With Power‑Packed Soirée Showcasing African Excellence

EMY Africa has reaffirmed its mission to strengthen economic, cultural and diplomatic ties between Africa and its global diaspora by hosting a high‑profile networking soirée in Washington, D.C., bringing together influential leaders from business, government, diplomacy and the creative industries.

Held on June 25 at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art, the event coincided with the global spotlight on the 2026 FIFA World Cup and served as a strategic platform to promote African excellence, investment opportunities and cross‑border collaboration.

The gathering attracted prominent policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, diplomats and cultural icons from Africa and the United States, underscoring the growing importance of diaspora engagement in advancing the continent’s development agenda.

Notable attendees included U.S. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, Washington, D.C. City Council Democratic nominee Oye Owolewa, Special Advisor in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs Deniece Laurent‑Mantey, and representatives from the D.C. Mayor’s Office on African Affairs.

The business community was strongly represented by Alex Dadey (Executive Chairman, KGL Group), Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong (Executive Chairman, Special Investments), Ibrahim Mahama (Founder, Engineers & Planners), Prof. Kingsley Moghalu (President, African School of Governance), Beatrice Mensah‑Tayui (CEO, Cybele Energy Ltd), and Richard Nii Armah Quaye (President, RNAQ Holdings).

Also present were diplomat Bernard Quantson and his wife Ama Quantson, EIB Network CEO Nathan Kwabena Adisi, Face2Face Africa CEO Kevin Boateng, and entrepreneur and legal professional Lala Dutches, reflecting the diversity of expertise at the event.

The soirée also highlighted the role of culture and sports in strengthening Africa’s global influence. International author and actress Michelle McKinney Hammond graced the event, while former Ghana international Samuel Osei Kuffour spoke on the unifying power of sports in connecting Africans and the diaspora.

Founder and Executive Director of EMY Africa, Daniel Kojo Soboh, said the gathering reflected the organisation’s vision of creating strategic platforms that connect Africa’s most influential leaders and innovators across continents.

He emphasised that stronger collaboration between Africa and its diaspora would be crucial in driving investment, innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable development.

Mr. Soboh noted that hosting the event in Washington, D.C., during the FIFA World Cup provided a unique opportunity to showcase Africa’s achievements to a global audience while strengthening ties with Africans and people of African heritage living in North America.

He described the soirée as more than a social event—calling it a strategic platform for fostering business partnerships, expanding investment networks and promoting cultural diplomacy between Africa and the United States.

The event forms part of EMY Africa’s broader efforts to position the continent as a destination for investment, innovation and global collaboration, while leveraging the influence and expertise of the African diaspora to accelerate economic transformation and sustainable development.

— Daily Guide