Grammy Africa Awards likely to launch around 2029 – Dentaa Amoateng

The much-anticipated Grammy Africa Awards could officially debut around 2029 or 2030, according to Lady Dentaa Amoateng MBE, Chief Executive Officer of GUBA Enterprise and consultant to the Recording Academy’s CEO, Harvey Mason Jr.

Speaking on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz with Kwame Dadzie and Doreen Avio, Dentaa explained that although the African Grammys initiative was announced in 2024, more time is needed to lay the necessary foundations.

“It’s going to be a long process because it needs to establish that membership. So it’s something that is going to happen maybe 2029, 2030. It’s going to take a while. Africa is big and there are a lot of different genres of music,” she said.

Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Rwanda have been identified as potential host countries once the scheme is rolled out.

When asked why Ghana was not on the initial host list, Dentaa cited financial obligations as a major factor. “There is a financial commitment that is involved which is quite heavy for government, so that is why some of the countries have not been able to be part of it,” she explained.

In 2024, the Recording Academy, organizers of the Grammy Awards, announced plans to establish a continental version of the scheme, similar to the Latin Grammys created in 1997. The aim is to serve Africa’s diverse music industry while expanding the Grammys’ global reach.

As part of the rollout, the Academy signed agreements with Ministries of Culture and cultural bodies across Africa and the Middle East, including institutions in Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Ghana, and Ivory Coast.

“This is exciting because music is one of humanity’s greatest natural resources,” said Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. “It is critical that the people who dedicate themselves to creating music have support, resources and opportunities, no matter where they are from.”

The Academy’s leadership spent two years touring Africa and the Middle East, meeting with governments, stakeholders, and artists to better understand the industry’s needs.

Meanwhile, the Grammys have already taken steps to highlight African talent. In 2023, a new category—Best African Music Performance—was introduced, recognizing genres such as highlife and Ghanaian drill.

This followed discussions about Afrobeats recognition and Mason Jr.’s 2022 visit to Ghana, where he confirmed that the Academy was exploring the best ways to represent African music at the global awards.

If successfully launched, the Grammy Africa Awards would mark a historic moment for the continent’s music industry, giving African creators their own dedicated platform under the prestigious global brand.