This archive report was first published on 1 October 2019.
On October 1, 2019, Kenya took a significant step in enhancing its technical training by sending 50 tutors to China. The move aims to equip these trainers with the skills to manufacture quality industrial products and spare parts, raising the bar for Kenya's manufactured goods to international standards.
However, the country's manufacturing sector faces a significant challenge in absorbing highly-skilled graduates. Many local industries are outdated, with a majority being partially manual. This limits their ability to employ highly-trained graduates, putting their employment prospects at risk.
The influx of cheap imports from India and China has failed to prompt industrialists to invest in new technology, as they continue to reap returns on investments made decades ago. To address this, the State needs to establish industries that can employ these highly-trained graduates, or risk losing them to unemployment.
One potential solution is for Kenya to collaborate with China to establish industries that produce export goods that Beijing is phasing out due to high costs. This could include textiles, apparels, and household goods, which could be produced in Kenya for export to African countries and back into Asia.
A recent report on Huawei's plans to deliver a data centre, smart city, and surveillance project in Konza City at a cost of Sh17.5 billion highlights the potential for Kenya to benefit from Chinese investment. By leveraging this opportunity, Kenya's leadership could establish the country as a hub for Chinese business and economic interests in East and Central Africa.
