Kenyan universities seal China partnerships in green energy research

Kenyan universities have strengthened research and technology partnerships with Chinese institutions following the signing of cooperation agreements aimed at accelerating renewable energy development and scientific innovation.

The agreements were signed during the Third China-Africa Green Energy Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Forum and Talented Young Scientist Program Forum held in Jinan, China, from October 23 to 25, bringing together nearly 200 participants from 33 countries.

Shandong Jianzhu University signed memoranda of understanding with five African institutions, including the Technical University of Kenya and the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.

The other institutions are Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana, Alex Ekwueme Federal University in Nigeria and the Global Organisation of African Academic Doctors.

The partnerships will facilitate joint research, academic exchanges, researcher mobility and scientific training, with a focus on renewable energy, hydrogen technologies, energy storage and low-carbon construction.

The cooperation comes as African countries seek to expand electricity access, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and develop sustainable energy systems to support industrialisation.

The three-day forum, jointly hosted by the China Association for International Exchange of Personnel and Shandong Jianzhu University, also explored emerging technologies in clean energy, including artificial intelligence-powered energy systems, green fuels, zero-carbon buildings and waste-to-energy solutions.

Researchers from participating institutions presented findings on hydrogen production, thermal energy storage, waste conversion technologies and AI applications in energy management.

Four international scientists delivered keynote lectures examining energy storage, sustainable development, solar-powered buildings and innovation in addressing environmental challenges.

The forum also placed emphasis on developing young scientific talent, with early-career researchers from several countries sharing their experiences and opportunities for international research collaboration.

The partnerships are expected to strengthen the research capacity of African universities while improving access to scientific expertise and emerging technologies.

However, their impact will depend on translating the agreements into practical outcomes, including joint research projects, technology transfer, researcher exchanges and commercially viable clean energy solutions.

The forum, first held in Jinan in 2024 before moving to Johannesburg in 2025, provides a platform for strengthening scientific cooperation between China and Africa as both regions pursue sustainable energy development.