EMY Africa (Exclusive Men of the Year Africa) has unveiled the nominees for the 11th edition of the EMY Africa Awards.
The nominees were announced at a special unveiling event held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, hosted by Kafui Dey and Keni Ribeiro.
This year’s nominations span a range of fields, including sports, fashion, film and music. Eight acts are in contention for the Man of the Year (Music), while the acting and design categories feature nominees from across Africa.
The sports category recognises athletes from various disciplines, and Discovery of the Year honours five emerging talents.
In addition to the competitive categories, EMY Africa will present five different honorary awards to individuals who have made significant humanitarian contributions to their professions (arts, film, media) and communities.
Public voting for the competitive categories is now open on www.emyafrica.com and via EMY Africa’s official Instagram page.
The announcement ushers in the next phase of the awards programme, with additional honourees set to be unveiled ahead of the main ceremony on November 21, 2026 in Accra.
Competitive Categories and Nominees
Man of the Year – Music
DopeNation
Sarkodie
Asake (Nigeria)
KiDi
Actor of the Year
Majid Michel
Uzor Arukwe (Nigeria)
Chris Attoh
Femi Adebayo (Nigeria)
Designer of the Year
Kenneth Tetteh
Oscar Nyesiga (Uganda)
Kenneth Ize (Nigeria)
IB Kamara (Sierra Leone)
Atto Andoh
Man of the Year – Sports
Benjamin Asare
Antoine Semenyo
Emmanuel Wanyonyi (Kenya)
Seth Gyimah
Discovery of the Year
Melvin Osei Opoku
Julian Owusu
Hashim Samiru
Christian Saint
Dayo Adedeji (Nigeria)
Youth Changemaker Award
Wanjiku Cynthia Mwangi (Kenya)
Simeon Kalua (Malawi)
Rwikaza Gentil (Rwanda)
Monica Patrick (Tanzania)
Mirriam Ngoma (Zambia)
Houssam Boutadghart (Morocco)
Candybell Kensah (Ghana)
Honorary Honourees
Humanitarian Award
Oseadeeyo Owiredu Wadie I (Richard Kwasi Owiredu Wadie)
Creative and Support Art Award
Dotun Popoola (Nigeria)
Young Achiever (Female) Award
Abena Amoakoaa Sintim-Aboagye (Chef Abbys)
Young Achiever (Male) Award
Berthold Kobina Ackon (Wode Maya)
Continental Icon (Media and Film) Award
Mosunmola Abudu (Mo Abudu) (Nigeria)