Kenya and China have taken a significant step forward in their bilateral relations with the launch of the Sino-Kenya Craftsmen Academy, a pioneering institution aimed at strengthening technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Kenya.

The academy was unveiled on July 20, 2025, at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), marking a new chapter in the two nations’ 16-year partnership under the Belt and Road Initiative.

The institution is the result of a tripartite collaboration between TUK, China’s Inner Mongolia Technical College of Mechanics and Electronics, and AVIC International.

It builds upon the success of the Africa Tech Challenge (ATC), a flagship program that has offered training and technical support to more than 700 youth from nine African countries, solidifying its place as the continent’s premier skills competition.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, who presided over the event, hailed the academy as a strategic investment in Kenya’s human capital.

“This academy is not just a training center it is a symbol of shared vision and mutual growth,” Ogamba said. “It will nurture technical expertise, inspire innovation, and enhance collaboration between our people.”

Ogamba noted that the academy will serve as a hub for skill development, knowledge exchange, and people-to-people diplomacy.

“We are deliberate in our efforts to embed TVET into the core of national development. This initiative is a clear reflection of that commitment,” he said.

He further expressed confidence that the government would use the academy to build professional capacity, improve training standards, and foster linkages between academia and industry in both countries.

TVET Principal Secretary Esther Muoria echoed similar sentiments, stating that the launch aligns perfectly with ongoing reforms in the sector.

She pointed to efforts to update 194 training curricula, implement competency-based education models, and grow industry partnerships now standing at over 2,500 to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

“This academy is a timely addition to our reform agenda,” said Muoria. “It opens doors for young people to engage with global technologies, gain hands-on experience, and become part of a skilled, competitive workforce.”

The launch signals a shared commitment by Kenya and China to empower youth and enhance employability through world-class technical training.