Olufemi Adeyemi 

As part of its efforts to support music creators on a global scale, the Recording Academy, the organisers of the Grammy Awards, has announced plans to create an African version of the prestigious award scheme.


The Recording Academy, behind GRAMMY Awards, is expanding its support for music creators globally. The academy has partnered with Ministries of Culture and key stakeholders in the Middle East and Africa to enhance its presence and services in these growing music markets.

Harvey Manson, the CEO of the Recording Academy, said: “This is exciting because music is one of humanity’s greatest natural resources”.

“It is critical that the people who dedicate themselves to creating music have support, resources and opportunities, no matter where they are from,” he added.

For the past two years, Academy leaders have traveled to these regions, engaging in listening sessions, briefings, tours, and direct discussions with both governmental bodies and music creators.

The Academy is collaborating with the Ministries of Culture in Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, the Rwanda Development Board, and South Africa’s Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture. MOUs have been signed with Ghana and the Ivory Coast.

The expansion comes as the Academy celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Latin GRAMMY Awards, which will take place in November in Miami. The 2023 Latin GRAMMYs in Seville, Spain, marked the first-ever international GRAMMY Awards show.

At the 2024 GRAMMYs, the Academy introduced the first Best African Music Performance GRAMMY category, which recognizes songs that use unique local expressions from across the African continent.

Paul Pacifico, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s The Music Commission, said: “We eagerly anticipate the benefits we know this partnership will bring to our music community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the opportunities it will deliver for Saudi music to take its place on the global stage and contribute to a more globally representative and vibrant music industry.”

Speaking on the development, Davido, who was nominated in three categories at the 2024 Grammys Awards, expressed excitement over the Academy’s expansion.

“As an African musician, I am excited about the Recording Academy’s expansion into Africa and the Middle East,” he said.

This initiative offers a platform for creators, elevating our cultural expressions and uniting us through music.”

Ababu Namwamba of Kenya’s EGH added: “It should be no surprise that Kenya is delighted to be among the four champions of this effort, alongside our sister nations of Rwanda, Nigeria and South Africa. This is a historic opportunity to hoist high and celebrate Africanacity through artistic and cultural expression, while fostering innovation, creativity, fraternity, and solidarity for African peoples in Africa and beyond.”