NAIROBI – Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, has travelled to Changsha, China, for a key ministerial meeting aimed at reviewing the implementation of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) commitments. The gathering will assess developments since last year’s FOCAC Summit and set the agenda for the next one.
At the 2024 summit in Beijing, President Xi Jinping pledged over $50 billion in aid and investment to African nations for the coming three years. The funding is intended to support development projects across multiple sectors on the continent.
“Mudavadi will seize this opportunity to deepen the long-standing partnership between Kenya and China, which has lasted for more than sixty years,” said Jacob Ng’etich, Mudavadi’s press director.
The visit follows a recent boost in relations after President William Ruto’s state visit to China in May. That trip resulted in several agreements, including plans to extend the Standard Gauge Railway from Kisumu and upgrade the Nairobi-Malaba highway. These projects are viewed as vital to Kenya’s infrastructure and economic growth.
Ahead of the meeting, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian confirmed that China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, alongside representatives from 54 African countries, would attend. Lin emphasised China’s commitment to joint efforts in modernisation and closer partnership, highlighting the “best-ever” state of China-Africa relations.
“China and Africa are working together to build an all-weather community with a shared future,” Lin said. “The benefits of FOCAC’s work will reach ordinary people in both regions.”
Mudavadi’s itinerary also includes participation in the Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and the China (Chongqing)-Africa Investment and Trade Cooperation Forum. These events aim to strengthen trade and investment links between Kenya and China.
Following his engagements in China, Mudavadi will head to Helsinki, Finland, to represent President Ruto as Guest of Honour at the Kultaranta Talks a prestigious international forum in Naantali.
This high-profile trip underscores Kenya’s active role in shaping the future of Africa-China relations at a time when both sides are deepening economic and diplomatic ties.
