- Agreement for Africa Academy / Regional Centre
Kenya has signed an agreement with Grammy Global Ventures (GGV) to establish an Africa Academy headquarters / centre in Kenya.- The deal was formalized on September 25, 2023.
- Kenya has made the necessary payments: USD 2,500,000 (approx KSh 323–324 million) in instalments, with the final one recently completed.
- The intended site for the centre is Konza Technopolis (Digital Media City) on about 160 acres, and agreements with Korea for infrastructure are in place.
- Kenya’s Government Is Putting Up Funds
The Kenyan government, under President Ruto, has allocated (and paid) KSh 500 million as part of its bid related to the Grammy/Recording Academy’s Africa plans. - Other African Countries Also Bidding / Founding Members
Rwanda, Nigeria, and South Africa are also involved (they have signed MoUs or agreements) as “founding members” for the Africa Academy project.
What isn’t confirmed / what is being clarified
- Kenya is NOT confirmed to host the Grammy Awards ceremony
- Authorities have denied that the agreement includes bringing the main annual Grammy Awards (as held in Los Angeles) to Kenya.
- The agreement more clearly refers to the Academy / centre, not that the full awards show will be relocated.
- What “hosting” means isn’t fully settled
- “Hosting” in this context seems to refer to the Africa Academy headquarters or regional centre; it does not yet mean the global Grammys ceremony.
- If Kenya (or any country) were to host Grammy-branded events, it’s likely those would be side events, regional shows, or special programs rather than the full Grammy main ceremony—unless a much bigger agreement is reached.
- Return of funds if bid fails
- If Kenya does not win the bid (i.e. the Academy’s headquarters ends up elsewhere), some reports say the money paid may be returned
