Kenya is stepping up its efforts to host the future African headquarters of the Recording Academy, the U.S. organization behind the Grammy Awards.
In Nairobi, several developments have strengthened the country’s bid as it competes with Nigeria and South Africa.
The announcement was made on September 11, 2026, in Nairobi, during a visit by Recording Academy President Panos Panay, who was received by Kenyan President William Ruto.
Following the meeting, Panos Panay announced that Kenyan artists will travel to the United States next month to gain a better understanding of how the international music industry operates and to familiarize themselves with its key players.
The initiative is part of Nairobi’s efforts to strengthen its bid and position Kenya as a major hub for the music industry on the African continent.
The Kenyan government has already committed $3.9 million to the bid, highlighting the importance it places on the project.
The competition, however, remains open. Nigeria and South Africa have also expressed interest in hosting the Recording Academy’s African base. At this stage, no final decision has been announced on which country will be selected.
The potential establishment of an African headquarters for the Recording Academy would represent a significant development for the continent’s music industry by strengthening ties between African artists and international music networks.
For Nairobi, the goal now is to turn the progress made in its bid into a favorable decision as the competition among the three contenders continues.
