The president of the Recording Academy, the body behind the Grammy Awards, is expected to visit Nairobi next month for talks with President William Ruto as Kenya pushes to grow its music and creative industry.
According to an official statement released on Wednesday, April 29, Recording Academy president Panos A. Panay will be in Kenya from May 26 to May 29, under the support of the U.S. Department of State’s Arts Envoy Program.
“The Recording Academy’s President Panos A. Panay will travel to Nairobi, Kenya, from May 26 to May 29, 2026, for an official meeting with His Excellency President William Ruto. Panay’s visit is supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Arts Envoy Program,” the academy confirmed.
The visit is expected to centre on opportunities within Kenya’s creative economy, especially the music sector.
Discussions between Panay and President Ruto are set to focus on talent development, strengthening industry infrastructure and opening up international markets for Kenyan and African artists.
Panay is also expected to meet senior government officials, music executives, local artists and other players in the entertainment industry during his stay in Nairobi.
The talks come as Kenya continues efforts to position itself as a regional hub for music and entertainment in Africa.
The country has also expressed interest in hosting the Grammy Awards in 2027, a move that would mark the first time the ceremony is held outside the United States since it began in 1959.
The visit further builds on Kenya’s involvement in the American Music Mentorship Program (AMMP), a partnership between the U.S. government and the Recording Academy launched in 2024 to support creative talent and industry growth.
In December 2024, President Ruto disclosed that Kenya had already spent Ksh500 million towards efforts aimed at bringing the Grammy Awards to the country.
However, the government has not yet provided clear details on whether the plans involve hosting the main awards ceremony or related Grammy events.
As of April 2026, government officials, including Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Dennis Itumbi, have said the project is still ongoing, with further communication expected before June.
The Grammy Awards are considered among the most prestigious honours in the global music industry, recognising excellence across different music genres each year
