Grammy Awards Organizers Strengthen Presence in Africa and the Middle East

 The Recording Academy, the organization behind the Grammy Awards, is expanding its support for music creators in Africa and the Middle East on a global scale.

In a recent announcement, the Academy stated it is collaborating with government ministries in Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to enhance its "presence and services in these rapidly growing music regions."

The Academy plans to provide educational programs and resources tailored to the needs of musicians in these countries through an initiative called ‘Grammy Go.’

"We are thrilled to announce that we are embarking on a path to extend our efforts to support music creators on a global scale," the statement read. "The Recording Academy has agreements with ministers of culture and key stakeholders across the Middle East and Africa to collaborate on a framework to bolster the Academy’s presence and services in these rapidly growing music regions."

Specifically, the Academy is partnering with the ministries of culture in Kenya, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria, the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), and the Ministry of Sport, Arts, and Culture in South Africa. Additionally, Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) have been signed with Ghana and the Ivory Coast. This initiative marks the first phase of the Academy’s plans to support music creators internationally.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the expansion, Davido, who has been nominated in three categories at the 2024 Grammy Awards, said, "As an African musician, I am excited about the Recording Academy’s expansion into Africa and the Middle East. This initiative offers a platform for creators, elevating our cultural expressions and uniting us through music."

Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy, added, "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."