Kenyan leader eyes further cooperation with China

Kenya and other African countries are looking forward to intensifying their practical cooperation with China at the upcoming 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Kenyan President William Ruto said.

In a recent interview with China Daily in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, Ruto expressed optimism that deals will be signed during the summit in areas such as industrialization, renewable energy development, agricultural mechanization, talent building and climate action investments.

The summit will be held from Wednesday to Friday in Beijing.

Ruto said the combination of Africa's renewable energy resources and Chinese technology would bring benefits to both sides.

According to the International Energy Agency, Africa is home to 60 percent of the best solar resources globally, though its installed capacity of solar photovoltaic power is just 1 percent.

Ruto said Kenya is already discussing with China the building of additional infrastructure across the country.

He said Kenya looks forward to expansion of the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway to become part of a rail link that eventually would connect the East African country with the Atlantic Ocean.

Other African countries "are in agreement that this is a piece of infrastructure that we all want done, and collectively we have been engaging the Chinese government on the possibilities and the mechanisms for making sure that the SGR connects the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic", he said.

Ruto said Kenya is positioning itself to fully benefit from the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as well as the Belt and Road Initiative, adding that the success of intra-Africa trade will depend on the availability of transportation infrastructure, including roads and the extension of the standard gauge railway.

Kenya is also positioning itself as a leader in matters such as climate action and renewable energy, and the country is looking at how it can tap into Chinese technology to unlock its renewable energy resources, Ruto said.

Furthermore, Kenya is positioning itself as a regional and continental technology hub.

"With China being a leading technology destination, especially in matters of renewable energy, we will be positioning ourselves to see how we can tap into those opportunities that are presented by FOCAC and the BRI to unlock our own potential as a country and to tap into the potential that exists in our continent," he said.

He also said Kenya is exploring the possibility of working with Chinese companies in areas like e-mobility, robotics, the internet of things and other new technologies.

The nation is also eager to work with China on agricultural modernization, the Kenyan president said, noting that the country's intention is to ensure that agriculture not only provides food security for the population, but also taps into agricultural products to expand the nation's manufacturing capabilities.

Regarding China's proposal to support Africa in talent development, he said Kenya is expanding its digital footprint across the country, through rolling out another 100,000 kilometers of fiber-optic cable.

He said this move will unlock talent, especially among young people, and opportunities for digital jobs and digital commerce.

Ruto said he foresees an expanded relationship between Kenya and China, new partnership opportunities, and further private sector investment opportunities in both countries.

"I see us exporting more of our avocados, tea and coffee to China ... and this is all in the context of the people-to-people relationship," he said.

Meanwhile, as the People's Republic of China prepares to celebrate the 75th anniversary of its founding, Ruto commended the country for its achievements over the past decades.

He said China has made tremendous strides in changing its fortunes and unprecedented growth in its economy and human development.

"We are all aware that China has moved many places ahead of other countries. They have managed to grow their economy, sometimes at double digits, and managed to pull 800 million people out of poverty, which is a very commendable feat," he said.

"Today, China is the second-largest economy in the world, and also makes a huge contribution to the budget on peacekeeping and the human capital for peacekeeping."