Kenya, China deepen cultural ties through fashion and creative economy

Kenya and China are seeking to deepen cultural cooperation through fashion, heritage preservation, skills development and the creative economy.

The call was made during the opening of the China-Africa Costume Culture and Art Exhibition at the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi on Thursday.

Representing Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Children Services Hanna Cheptumo, Director of Culture Dr Kiprop Lagat said cultural cooperation remains an important component of Kenya-China and broader Africa-China relations.

“We believe that cultural cooperation should be an integral component of this partnership. People-to-people exchanges involving artists, cultural practitioners, museums, researchers, designers, and young people create lasting connections and promote mutual understanding,” Lagat said.

The exhibition brings together traditional Chinese and African costumes, showcasing the evolution of cultural dress, craftsmanship and contemporary fashion.

Among the exhibits is the Mamianqun, or horse-face skirt, a traditional Chinese garment with a history spanning centuries, alongside African attire and designs incorporating African fabrics.

Chinese Chargé d’Affaires Zhang Zhizhong said the exhibition was designed to go beyond cultural display, with Chinese partners seeking to share expertise and skills with Kenyan communities.

“Today's event, therefore, is not only about appreciating beauty and creativity, it is also about sharing expertise, building capacity, and creating opportunities,” Zhang said.

He said the cooperation could include vocational skills training for Kenyan women, creating opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship while supporting the development of the country's garment and fashion industry.

Zhang noted that the initiative brings together cultural exchange and industrial cooperation, saying the combination could generate benefits beyond the exhibition.

“I believe that when cultural exchange and industrial cooperation come together, we can generate benefits that go far beyond the exhibition itself.”

The exhibition is being held as China and Africa mark the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, aimed at strengthening interaction and mutual understanding between the two regions.

Kenya is also seeking greater collaboration between its cultural institutions and their Chinese counterparts in areas including joint exhibitions, research, conservation, digitisation, professional exchanges and cultural heritage documentation.

Meanwhile, Miss Cosmo Kenya 2026 Linezy Zawadi, who attended the exhibition, welcomed the blending of Chinese and African cultural elements.

She said cultural appreciation should not be limited by geographical origins, noting that people can embrace traditions from different parts of the world.

The exhibition comes at a time when Kenya is seeking to strengthen the link between cultural heritage, fashion, creativity and economic opportunities, particularly for women and young people.