Kenya partners with China for off-grid electrification in remote areas

The agreement, inked on Tuesday by Kenya’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment, establishes a framework to deploy 80 off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems across target locations, according to the State Department for Energy.

Identified potential sites include Kilifi County, Tana River County, and Maasai Mara University.

The solar installations are designed to power critical public infrastructure in remote rural areas, with an emphasis on health clinics, community water supply systems, and schools.

In academic institutions, the power supply will support digital learning infrastructure, improve classroom environments, and aid in the delivery of essential education services.

In its statement, the State Department for Energy said the initiative receives support from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), which is providing technical expertise, resources, and matching funds to enhance community- and child-focused outcomes.

The State Department for Energy noted that the initiative will support government targets for equitable service delivery, decentralized renewable power generation, and community-level climate resilience.

The Africa Solar Belt Project expands on China’s Ten-Hundred-Thousand Initiative and the Belt and Road South-South Cooperation Initiative on Climate Change.