Kenya to Host Grammy Academy Headquarters, Not Awards Show as Previously Reported

The Kenyan government has officially announced its plans to establish a creative music academy, marking a strategic collaboration with Grammy Global Ventures (GGV), rather than hosting the Grammy Awards as previously speculated.

This initiative is confirmed in a statement from the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, which discloses that an agreement with GGV was signed on September 25, 2023. The planned Africa Academy headquarters in Kenya aims to enhance support for the local music industry by offering Kenyan artists access to advanced technological resources, networks, and industry expertise, thereby improving their ability to create and promote original music on a global scale.

"The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports and the Grammy Global Ventures (GGV) signed an agreement on September 25, 2023, where the two parties collaborated on the establishment of the Africa Academy headquarters or a centre in Kenya," the Ministry said in a statement.

The announcement comes in the wake of controversy surrounding President William Ruto’s comments regarding a Sh500 million allocation. Many citizens criticized these financial priorities, but it has since been clarified that this funding is designated for the World Creative Economy Conference scheduled for 2027, rather than for the Grammy Awards.

This conference is anticipated to play an important role in elevating Kenya’s creative economy on an international level. Furthermore, the Ministry indicates that other African nations, including Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa, are being considered for similar agreements with GGV.

For the Africa Academy to move forward, it is required that at least two founding members contribute USD 2,500,000 each, totalling approximately Sh324 million. These resources will facilitate the establishment and operationalization of the academy’s headquarters, with any surplus potentially allocated to supporting Grammy events in the founding countries.

This move represents a significant advancement for the Recording Academy, which has been actively seeking to expand its reach into Africa. In June 2024, the Academy announced plans to provide online training for artists across Africa and the Middle East, intending to strengthen the creative economies of these regions.