Outgoing Cabinet Secretary for Youth, Creative Economy, and Sports, Kipchumba Murkomen, announced on Thursday that Kenya has made a payment of $2,500,000 (approximately Ksh. 323,225,000) for its bid to host the Grammy Awards Africa Academy Centre. He revealed that his ministry signed an agreement with Grammy Global Ventures (GGV), the international arm of the Recording Academy, on September 25, 2023.
The Recording Academy, based in Santa Monica, California, is a U.S. academic association that brings together musicians, producers, recording engineers, and other music professionals. The Academy is known for presenting the annual Grammy Awards and operates the Grammy Museum, a non-profit dedicated to preserving and educating about music history.
Murkomen explained that the Africa Academy will include a headquarters and event centres across the region where Grammy-branded events will take place. He mentioned that Rwanda, Nigeria, and South Africa have also signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements to be considered as founding members in the project.
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“We have fulfilled all our financial obligations as outlined in the agreement by making the final installment of the net fee of $2,500,000 this month. As it stands, we are in a strong position to host the Academy,” the Minister stated.
However, this statement contrasts with President William Ruto's remarks made just over a week ago, where he said Kenya had paid Ksh.500 million for the African Grammys hub. “We have already paid the Ksh.500 million. This is not something we are planning to do; it’s already done,” Ruto affirmed during a town hall in Nairobi on December 9, adding that he was confident the project was on track.
Murkomen clarified on Thursday that the Kenyan shilling was weaker against the U.S. dollar when the agreement was signed, but the country saved money on subsequent payments due to the currency’s strengthening later in the year.
According to Murkomen, at least two founding members must pay the $2,500,000 fee for the Africa Academy to move forward, which will initially be used to establish the headquarters. If more than two founding members make the payment, the excess funds will be used to organize Grammy events across the member countries. Kenya aims to host the project at the Konza Technopolis.
Murkomen emphasized that Kenyan music creators stand to benefit significantly from the Recording Academy's resources and global network, further boosting the visibility of the country’s music scene and positioning Kenya as a key entertainment hub in Africa.
The Grammy Awards introduced the Best African Music Performance category this year, highlighting Africa’s unique musical expressions. This move follows years of criticism for the Academy’s perceived sidelining of African artists. The Africa Academy mirrors the Latin Recording Academy, which has been hosting the Latin Grammy Awards since 2000, with the event being held outside the U.S. for the first time in 2023 in Seville, Spain.
