A delegation of the China-Africa Institute (CAI), led by Vice President Zhou Yunfan, was invited by African Policy Institute (API) for an academic exchange in Kenya from October 27 to 30, 2024. On October 29, the 21st China Lecture was held under the theme "Chinese modernization and High-quality Development of the Belt and Road Cooperation between China and Africa" in Nairobi. Erustus Mwencha, former Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC); Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, Somali Ambassador to Kenya; Ambassador Hellen Gichuhi, Permanent Secretary Representative of Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the lecture. The event brought together more than 50 scholars and diplomats from the API, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Chinese Embassy in Kenya, as well as China Media Group (CMG) and other local media outlets.

Zhou Yunfan, Vice President of the CAI; Somali Ambassador to Kenya Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle; Counselor Zhu Li at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, and Ambassador Hellen Gichuhi delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. Professor Peter Kagwanja, Chief Executive at the API presided over the opening ceremony. 

Speakers at the 21^st China lecture

Experts and scholars from China and Kenya delivered presentations and engaged in discussions on topics such as Chinese modernization, China-Africa Belt and Road cooperation, national governance and security challenges. Zhang Xiaojing, Director of the Institute of Finance & Banking, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) outlined the achievements and experience of Chinese modernization and its implications for African countries.  In his speech, Erustus Mwencha, Former Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) stressed the major changes brought by Belt and Road Cooperation and the significance of BRI for African countries to realize modernization. Zhu Weidong, Research Fellow from the CAI focused his speech on the importance of legal guarantee for China-Kenya high-quality development under the BRI. Meng Jin, Associate Research Fellow from the CAI outlined the approaches and principles for African countries to enhance national governance capability building. Professor Patrick Maluki, Director of the Africa Center for the Study of China at the University of Nairobi, explained the security challenges in the development of Belt and Road cooperation in Africa and its solutions (his paper was read by Ms. Rebecca Sangura).

Zhang Xiaojing, Zhu Weidong and Meng Jin deliver speeches 

Kenyan experts and scholars applauded the great achievements of Chinese modernization under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) and its important implications for Kenya and Africa. He noted that the people-centered development and modernization of national governance systems are essential paths for Africa's development.

 Participants at the 21st Lecture

On October 28, the delegation visited Kenyan Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry and held a meeting with Joseah Rotich, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Trade. The two sides exchanged views on the latest developments of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Kenya's participation in Global Trade Initiative (GTI), trade balance and E-commerce cooperation between China and Kenya. 

Group photo (The 2^nd right: Joseah Rotich, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Trade)

The delegation also visited Chinese Embassy in Kenya and held a meeting with Ambassador Zhou Pingjian and the Economic and Commercial Counsellor Zhou Zhencheng, covering topics such as China-Kenya relations, China-Kenya cooperation in various fields including digital economy, green energy, economic and trade, as well as exchanges and cooperation between think tanks. In addition, the delegation visited the Department of Diplomacy and International Studies at the University of Nairobi, and the Strathmore University Law School, and conducted filed research on Chinese enterprises in Kenya.

The delegation members are visiting China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), Kenya Office