Music In Africa Foundation's executive director, Eddie Hatitye, has been invited to join the Recording Academy’s Class of 2026, marking a huge milestone in a 2 decades long career dedicated to building Africa's music industry and strengthening its global presence.
The Recording Academy is one of the world’s leading music organisations, and it is the organising body behind the Grammy Awards.
Hatitye joins the Academy as a professional member, alongside a global community of artists, producers, songwriters, engineers, executives and other music professionals committed to advancing the recording industry. The invitation recognises Hatitye’s contribution to the growth of Africa’s music and creative industries over nearly 2 decades.
Hatitye's most notable achievements include leading the establishment and growth of the Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF), one of Africa’s leading music development organisations.
Under his leadership, the Foundation has delivered landmark initiatives including ACCES, Africa’s leading music trade event; NEFCISA, one of South Africa’s largest creative employment programmes; Gender@Work; the Sound Connects Fund; and numerous artist mobility, research, market access and capacity-building programmes that have supported thousands of music professionals across the continent.
In 2025, he was appointed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) as an international expert for its Creative Industries Forum in the Caribbean and he has also served as a senior consultant to the World Bank Group, contributing to the successful delivery of the CREATIFI programme in Mozambique and Senegal, supporting research, sector development and industry competitiveness.
"It is an honour to join the Recording Academy. This recognition reflects not only my own journey but also the many artists, colleagues, organisations and partners I have had the privilege of working with throughout my career," shared Hatitye.
"African music has become one of the world’s most influential cultural forces, and I look forward to contributing to global conversations while continuing to advocate for greater recognition and opportunities for African creators and the wider music ecosystem."
Hatitye’s appointment comes at a time when African music continues to enjoy unprecedented global growth, with artists, producers and music businesses increasingly shaping international markets and cultural conversations.
Source(s): Music In Africa Foundation
The Recording Academy is one of the world’s leading music organisations, and it is the organising body behind the Grammy Awards.
Hatitye joins the Academy as a professional member, alongside a global community of artists, producers, songwriters, engineers, executives and other music professionals committed to advancing the recording industry. The invitation recognises Hatitye’s contribution to the growth of Africa’s music and creative industries over nearly 2 decades.
Hatitye's most notable achievements include leading the establishment and growth of the Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF), one of Africa’s leading music development organisations.
Under his leadership, the Foundation has delivered landmark initiatives including ACCES, Africa’s leading music trade event; NEFCISA, one of South Africa’s largest creative employment programmes; Gender@Work; the Sound Connects Fund; and numerous artist mobility, research, market access and capacity-building programmes that have supported thousands of music professionals across the continent.
In 2025, he was appointed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) as an international expert for its Creative Industries Forum in the Caribbean and he has also served as a senior consultant to the World Bank Group, contributing to the successful delivery of the CREATIFI programme in Mozambique and Senegal, supporting research, sector development and industry competitiveness.
"It is an honour to join the Recording Academy. This recognition reflects not only my own journey but also the many artists, colleagues, organisations and partners I have had the privilege of working with throughout my career," shared Hatitye.
"African music has become one of the world’s most influential cultural forces, and I look forward to contributing to global conversations while continuing to advocate for greater recognition and opportunities for African creators and the wider music ecosystem."
Hatitye’s appointment comes at a time when African music continues to enjoy unprecedented global growth, with artists, producers and music businesses increasingly shaping international markets and cultural conversations.
Source(s): Music In Africa Foundation