Kenya and China have officially unveiled the Sino-Kenya Craftsman Academy at the Technical University of Kenya (TU-K), marking a significant milestone in vocational training and youth empowerment across Africa.
The academy, a collaborative initiative between the Inner Mongolia Technical College of Mechanics and Electrical Engineering (IMTCME), China, and TU-K, is designed to serve as a dynamic, multidisciplinary platform for nurturing technical talent and cultivating artisan skills among young people. By promoting the spirit of craftsmanship, the academy aims to equip learners with practical competencies aligned with industry needs, while also fostering cultural and technological exchange between the two nations. Set to become a regional centre of excellence in TVET, the academy highlights the deepening strategic partnership between Kenya and China.
The high-profile ceremony was attended by key dignitaries, including Her Excellency Wang Lixia, Chairwoman of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region People’s Government, Her Excellency Guo Haiyan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kenya, and Mr. Wang Junwei, Party Secretary of the Inner Mongolia Technical College. They were joined by senior Kenyan officials, including Mr. Julius Ogamba, Cabinet Secretary for Education, Dr. Esther Mworia, Principal Secretary for Vocational Education and Training and Professor Benedict Mutua, Vice-Chancellor of TU-K.
In her remarks, Chairwoman Wang Lixia congratulated the two institutions on the launch of the academy and expressed appreciation to the Kenyan Ministry of Education and all supporting stakeholders for their dedication to strengthening vocational education through platforms such as the East Africa Vocational Education Joint Training Centre.
"The unveiling of the Sino-Kenya Craftsman Academy is not just a significant milestone but a testament to our shared vision of empowering youth through practical skills and educational opportunity," she said.
Education CS Mr. Julius Ogamba Migosi commended the collaboration between the IMTCME and TU-K, saying the relationship has seen two institutions work together to establish Kenya and the region’s participation in the Africa Tech Challenge competition.
“The solid partnership between the two institutions has benefitted over 700 participants from nine countries with pre-competition training and technical support, indeed the Africa Tech Challenge has now earned recognition as a premier brand for technical talent development in Africa,” said the CS.
He further elaborated that the strong ties between the Inner Mongolia Technical College and Kenya have also seen the College participate in the first and second phases of the vocational education project that were implemented by AVIC International.
CS Ogamba noted that through this project, 140 TVET institutions in Kenya have received a variety of equipment and comprehensive support covering professional design, training on equipment use and maintenance, curriculum development and trainer capacity building.
Principal Secretary, State Department for TVET Education, Dr. Esther Mworia highlighted the significance of the Sino- Kenya Craftsman Academy as a strategic step toward the shared goal of equipping Kenyan youth with globally competitive skills. She explained that through such initiative, trainees will gain access to hands-on training, modern technologies, and international exchange programs that will prepare them for both local and global job markets.
The academy forms part of the broader Vocational Education Development Project, co-implemented by AVIC International and the Chinese Government.
Beyond technical training, the new academy aims to deepen people-to-people connections, encourage research collaboration, and elevate the overall quality and global competitiveness of vocational education across the African continent.
The launch also reflects the expanding collaboration between Kenya and China in key areas such as education, science, research, and innovation. Joint academic programmes, faculty exchanges, and co-developed training models already underway are expected to be scaled further under the Craftsman Academy framework.
Mr. Wang Junwei emphasized the academy’s foundation in the traditional Chinese values of craftsmanship and innovation. He outlined plans for the academy to focus on cutting-edge sectors including equipment manufacturing, green energy, and technological innovation, while promoting inclusive training and cross-cultural exchange.
“Skills are a universal language,” Mr. Wang stated. “The Craftsman Academy will serve as a beacon of innovation, equipping Kenyan youth to pursue their professional aspirations while enhancing industrial cooperation between our two countries.”
“Let this academy be the vessel that propels us forward, driven by collaboration, steered by innovation, and united in our shared commitment to progress,” he concluded.
Looking to the future, both governments reaffirmed their commitment to deepening educational ties and expanding vocational training opportunities. China pledged continued support in sharing its extensive expertise in vocational education, while Kenya expressed readiness to scale programs that build a skilled, resilient, and globally competitive workforce for Africa.
The Academy shall function as a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary platform for the advancement of vocational training and education, grounded in the preservation and promotion of the "craftsman spirit."
The Academy will facilitate the integration of talent cultivation, technical research and development, vocational and skills-based training, cross-cultural academic exchange; and industrial-academic collaboration.
IMTCME will be sending technical instructors to TU-K on an annual basis and reciprocal arrangements shall be made for TU-K instructors to visit China for skills exchange and pedagogical training.
IMTCME shall provide technical and academic support to TU-K in the formulation and implementation of mechanical processing programmes.
Both institutions shall engage in the shared use and distribution of teaching materials and instructional outcomes, specifically in the disciplines CNC turning and milling processing;
As well as welding technology.
Africa Tech Challenge
AVIC-INTL (the main sponsor of the event), works in partnership with the Inner Mongolia Technical College of Mechanics and Electronics and TU-K in pursuit of objectives of the Africa Tech Challenge. Part of this objective is, ‘Training of Trainers competition.
The annual Africa Tech Challenge is scheduled start on 27th July to 28th August. It targets TVET institutions, colleges and universities from across Africa. TU-K has been playing a host since its inception in 2014.
The initiative will be in the shape of a training programme and a competition, with the most outstanding participants receiving fully-funded scholarships to prestigious Chinese universities. The winners will also be awarded internships and job opportunities among other rewards.
All participants will receive certificates to show their participation and to highlight the skills they will have learnt during the session.
Africa Tech Challenge is a significant economic development driver since it drives solutions to challenges in the national economy that need interdisciplinary use of science and technology.
AVIC International has operated in Kenya for over 20 years, where it now has various projects in Infrastructure Construction Contracting, Real Estate and many CSR operations in Vocational Education.
