Stephanie Busari is an Emmy, Gracie, and Peabody award-winning journalist and a powerful force in African storytelling.
With 25 years of experience in global media, including 16 impactful years at CNN International, Stephanie pioneered the network’s fi rst digital and multiplatform bureau globally. This initiative significantly expanded CNN’s reach and impact across the African continent. Having departed CNN, she has now established her own company, SBB Media, where she empowers organisations and leaders to amplify their impact through strategic communication, public relations, public speaking and authentic storytelling. (Find out more about SBB Media here)
Her journalism has shaped global narratives on critical issues. Stephanie’s two-time Emmy-nominated investigation into the Lekki tollgate shooting and her exclusive 2016 proof-of-life interview with the Chibok schoolgirls were pivotal, resulting in negotiations that led to the release of over 100 abducted girls, earning her a Hollywood Gracie Award and recognition as an Outstanding Woman in Media.
During the pandemic, Stephanie created the highly successful CNN show COVID Heroes and Newsmakers, reaching millions of viewers worldwide. Recently, she served as publisher and author of Her Story: Taking Root, Sparking Change, a collaborative book spotlighting 40+ inspiring women shaping the future of the continent and beyond. (Find out more about Her Story: Taking Root, Sparking Change here).
A passionate advocate for amplifying African voices, Stephanie led CNN Africa’s digital editorial and operational strategy during her tenure, mentoring and nurturing the next generation of African storytellers. Fluent in English, French, and Yoruba, she engages effortlessly with diverse stakeholders on prestigious global platforms, including the United Nations, AfDB, Afrexim Bank, UNESCO, and TED, whilst interviewing world leaders and changemakers.
Her influence extends beyond journalism. Recognised by the United Nations as one of the 100 Most Infl uential People of African Descent in 2017, Stephanie has been consistently named one of Africa’s 25 Most Powerful Female Journalists from 2020 to 2024. In 2020, she was selected as a Maurice Greenberg World Fellow at Yale University, a prestigious honour that further solidifi es her reputation as a global thought leader.
Stephanie’s TED talks have garnered over 2 million views, establishing her as a sought-after speaker, host, and high-level panel moderator. She is also the founder of TEDxBrixton and divides her time between Lagos and London.