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ASM & AfricanShowcaseMarket: 22 Years of Bringing Africa’s Spirit to Barking

Funmi Adewoju SuleoduAugust 12, 20252 Mins read

For 22 years, African Showcase Media (ASM) has been igniting London’s streets with vibrant cultural celebrations — from Brent to Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Newham, and beyond. Each event has built on the last, offering locals an unforgettable taste of Africa’s diversity, warmth, and creativity.

Traditional handmade drums for sale at Lesedi Cultural Village, South Africa,

This summer, ASM’s journey continues with something extra special. Organized by Kiskirine Events in partnership with Barking & Dagenham Council, the AfricanShowcaseMarket Festival will light up Market Square, Town Centre, Barking (IG11 8DQ) on Wednesday, 13 August 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. — and it’s all free.
A Royal Touch to Cultural Celebration

At the heart of the festival is Princess Bunmi Mustapha, the organiser and Managing Director of Kiskirine African Showcase Media. A true royal, Princess Bunmi hails from Ijebu-Ode, with royal lineage on both her maternal and paternal sides — the Muyigeso/Fidipote and Fusengbuwa royal families.

Although born in Europe, part of her education was at Muslim College, Ijebu-Ode, grounding her deeply in her heritage. Her inspiration for creating the AfricanShowcaseMarket came after attending the iconic Ojude-Oba festival some years ago — a cultural experience that sparked her desire to share African tradition and pride on a global stage. She dreams of one day contributing her international festival expertise to the growth and progress of Ojude-Oba itself.

What’s in Store?
Princess Bunmi promises visitors an unforgettable day filled with:

Authentic African artifacts and crafts
High-energy AfroBeats DJs
Mouthwatering suya served straight from a London bus
The ultimate Nigeria vs. Ghana jollof rice showdown
Caribbean food delights
Colourful head wraps and fashion accessories
Interactive drumming workshops

Special appearances will include Cllr. Mayoress Princess Bright of Barking and Young Mayor Raspreet Singh, adding to a day packed with culture, music, and community spirit.
From Street Events to Regional Ambitions

For ASM, this is more than a festival — it’s part of a bigger vision. Over the past 22 years, ASM has grown into a network of creative professionals committed to promoting African culture and trade. With increasing interest, the organisation is preparing to expand into regional, multi-day indoor events at major exhibition venues, featuring:

A wider showcase of African tourism and commerce
Family-friendly entertainment and shopping opportunities
Spaces for direct consumer trade and business networking

The Glossy Is Already Here

ASM’s free magazine is already in production, bringing the same energy and mission as its live events. It’s a visually rich publication packed with cultural stories, creative showcases, business spotlights, and opportunities for product and service promotion — ensuring the conversation continues all year round.

Empowering African Investment — A Legacy in Motion

For years, ASM has also been running a trade support service connecting UK-based individuals and companies with investment opportunities across Africa. This long-standing initiative has helped entrepreneurs and investors explore and enter sectors such as:

Agriculture
Real estate and property development
Import/export
Media outlets
Other fast-growing industries across the African continent

Culture. Food. Music. Community.
On 13 August 2025, Barking will come alive in colour, flavour, and rhythm — proving once again that when Africa meets London, the celebration is unforgettable.

Author

Funmi Adewoju Suleodu

Olufunmilayo Adewoju Suleodu is a veteran journalist, editor, and publisher with more than three decades of experience in journalism, communications, and public affairs.

She has worked across news media, magazine publishing, communications, development-sector engagements, and digital journalism. She currently publishes SageBits Online and reports on governance, development, business, education, traditional institutions, and public affairs.

She is also an elected officer of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun East Independent Chapel, reflecting her continued engagement with the journalism profession and media development.

Based in Ogun State, she is available for freelance reporting, feature writing, editorial assignments, research, project documentation, and development communications work.

Detailed professional history and references are available upon request.

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Written by

Funmi Adewoju Suleodu

Olufunmilayo Adewoju Suleodu is a veteran journalist, editor, and publisher with more than three decades of experience in journalism, communications, and public affairs. She has worked across news media, magazine publishing, communications, development-sector engagements, and digital journalism. She currently publishes SageBits Online and reports on governance, development, business, education, traditional institutions, and public affairs. She is also an elected officer of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun East Independent Chapel, reflecting her continued engagement with the journalism profession and media development. Based in Ogun State, she is available for freelance reporting, feature writing, editorial assignments, research, project documentation, and development communications work. Detailed professional history and references are available upon request.