African Stars Who Won Big at the 2025 Emmys — Thuso Mbedu, Kunle Afolayan and More

From Thuso Mbedu’s emotional win to Kunle Afolayan’s groundbreaking recognition, African nominees took center stage at the 2025 Emmys.

The 2025 Daytime Emmys, held on October 17, turned into a defining moment for African talent — a night where the continent didn’t just attend; it owned the stage. From powerful performances to historic wins, African nominees stood shoulder to shoulder with the world’s biggest names — and in many cases, stole the spotlight.

South Africa’s Thuso Mbedu continued her winning streak, taking home the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her riveting performance in The Woman King: Chronicles. Her emotional acceptance speech — “This is for every young African girl who dares to dream in her mother tongue” — drew a standing ovation and quickly trended across X (formerly Twitter).

Sheila Atim, representing Uganda and the UK, also scored a major win for Best Supporting Actress, while Nigeria’s Kunle Afolayan was among those honored in the International Drama category for Aníkúlápó: The Series, a first for a Nigerian-produced project at the Emmys.

Behind the camera, Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu received special recognition for her directing work on Queen Sono and for advancing African narratives on streaming platforms. It was a night that confirmed Africa’s creative ecosystem is not just thriving — it’s exporting excellence.

Industry insiders called it “Africa’s Emmy moment.” With global streamers betting on African originals and regional stars breaking into Hollywood-led productions, this year’s Emmys signaled what’s to come: a generation of African talent no longer boxed by geography but defined by brilliance.