Kenya and China Inaugurate Craftsman Academy to Advance Technical and Vocational Training
Kenya and China have officially launched the China-Kenya Craftsman Academy at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK)—a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and deepening bilateral cooperation in skills development.
Speaking at the launch, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba described the academy as a significant milestone in Kenya-China education partnerships.
“This launch continues a fruitful collaboration that has enhanced capacity-building and given our students access to global technologies,” he said.
Ogamba also celebrated the impact of the Africa Tech Challenge, which has trained over 700 participants from nine African countries, noting that the new academy is a strong symbol of Kenya’s commitment to industrial and technical capacity-building.
Wang Lixia, Chairperson of the People’s Government of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, emphasized the project’s alignment with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, calling it a major milestone in vocational cooperation.
“Inner Mongolia is committed to working with Kenya to share our vocational expertise and build a future powered by skills,” she added.
TVET Principal Secretary Esther Muoria said the academy complements Kenya’s ongoing training reforms, which include 194 modular curricula, dual training models, and partnerships with over 2,500 industries.
“This collaboration will help Kenyan youth acquire globally competitive, market-driven skills,” she said.
TUK Vice Chancellor Prof. Benedict Mutua expressed pride in hosting the facility, describing it as a hub of innovation, industry collaboration, and practical learning.
“We are focused on producing graduates who are job-ready and capable of designing and exporting technology,” he added.
Wang Junwei, Party Secretary of Inner Mongolia Technical College of Mechanics and Electronics, revealed that the long-standing partnership has already established vocational training centers across Africa, trained over 1,500 instructors, and built the continent’s largest eCNC Streaming Centre.
“We’ve developed more than 400 bilingual teaching resources in five core technical fields over 16 years of cooperation,” he said.
The China-Kenya Craftsman Academy is designed to become a regional centre of excellence, offering hands-on training, cultural exchange, and integration between academia and industry—particularly in equipment manufacturing and renewable energy.
Ultimately, the initiative aims to equip youth with skills tailored to modern labour market demands, foster cross-border knowledge exchange, and promote inclusive, sustainable economic growth across Africa.