Kenya and China Launch Craftsman Academy to Boost Technical Training and Cross-Border Innovation
Nairobi, The Gulf Observer: In a major step toward deepening bilateral cooperation in education and industrial skills development, Kenya and China have officially launched the China-Kenya Craftsman Academy at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK). The initiative aims to enhance Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) while aligning educational outcomes with industry needs and global standards.
Presiding over the launch ceremony, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba praised the academy as a symbol of growing Kenya-China collaboration. “This launch is a continuation of a fruitful partnership that has not only advanced capacity-building but also provided our students with international exposure and access to modern technologies,” he said.
Ogamba also highlighted the success of the Africa Tech Challenge, which has trained over 700 participants from nine African countries. He described the new Craftsman Academy as a key milestone in Kenya’s commitment to equipping youth with industrial and globally competitive skills.
Echoing the significance of the partnership, Wang Lixia, Chairperson of the People’s Government of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, said the initiative underscores China’s commitment to vocational education as part of its Belt and Road Initiative. “This marks both a new beginning and a major milestone in our partnership,” she noted. “Inner Mongolia is ready to work closely with our Kenyan counterparts to share China’s vocational successes and build a shared future through skills.”
TVET Principal Secretary Esther Muoria affirmed that the academy complements ongoing reforms in Kenya’s vocational sector. “We have rolled out 194 modular curricula across the country, adopted dual training models, and partnered with over 2,500 industries,” she said. “Let this academy be a symbol of what can be achieved when nations unite in pursuit of skills, innovation, and shared prosperity.”
TUK Vice Chancellor Prof. Benedict Mutua expressed pride in hosting the institution. “This facility is more than infrastructure—it is a beacon of innovation, partnership, and practical learning. TUK is committed to producing graduates who are not only job-ready, but also capable of designing and exporting technology,” he remarked.
Wang Junwei, Party Secretary of Inner Mongolia Technical College of Mechanics and Electronics, emphasized the long-standing cooperation that paved the way for the academy. “Over the past 16 years, we have helped build Africa’s largest eCNC Streaming Centre, trained more than 1,500 instructors, and developed over 400 bilingual teaching resources across five technical disciplines,” he revealed.
The China-Kenya Craftsman Academy is set to become a regional hub for hands-on technical training, cultural exchange, and industry-academic collaboration, with a strong focus on equipment manufacturing, renewable energy, and practical skills development.
Positioned as a centre of excellence, the academy aims to strengthen education-industry links, foster innovation, and drive inclusive economic growth. It reflects a shared vision by Kenya and China to empower African youth with market-relevant competencies, contributing to the development of a skilled and competitive workforce across the continent.
