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Kenya has embarked on an ambitious journey to elevate its presence in the global music industry by bidding to host the African headquarters of the Grammy Awards. This initiative underlines the government’s commitment to bolstering the creative economy and positioning Kenya as a cultural hub on the continent.p
In December 2024, President William Ruto said the government had set aside Ksh. 500 million, about $3.9 million, towards the bid. This will go to establish the headquarters of the Africa Academy and into centers in Kenya for the regional hubs of Grammy-branded events and activities.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports said that the agreement with Grammy Global Ventures-GGV-the international arm of the Recording Academy, pertains to establishing these academies and not the holding of the annual Grammy Awards ceremony itself. Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen added that the move by Kenya seeks to give the country’s artists an opportunity to tap into the resources, networks, and expertise of the Recording Academy for improvement of Kenya’s artistic scene and place it as an epicenter of entertainment in Africa. However, Kenya is in competition with other African countries that have signed a memorandum of understanding with GGV to host the Africa Academy, including Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa. The academies can only be established with a minimum of two founding members with an equal fee of $2.5 million, and the funds are meant for establishment and operationalizing the headquarters.
The Initiative forms part of the wider strategy that the Kenyan government has undertaken to invest in the creative sector. The Creative Economy Support Bill, 2024, is supposed to provide an enabling environment for creatives, increase the economic impact of the industry, and establish a Creative Fund. It outlines provisions such as the obligation of the government to stimulate investment in the creative industries and the introduction of rebate systems to alleviate financial burdens associated with industry development.
Hosting the African Grammy hub is a huge step, but that in itself is not a guarantee of success for Kenyan artists on the global stage.
This investment by the government is testimony to the commitment toward creating opportunities and infrastructure that will help nurture talent and further the country’s cultural heritage. As it is integrated into the value chain of the global music industry, Kenya aspires to ensure its artists receive platforms to present their work before wider audiences that may provide a better scope for their success in future years.
