Xinhua News Agency, Nairobi, December 15, exclusive interview | The joint construction of the “the Belt and Road” has brought unprecedented development opportunities to Kenya — An interview with Dennis Munet, Executive Director of the Central Africa Center of the Kenya African Policy Research Institute
Denis Munerne, Executive Director of the China Africa Center of the Kenya African Policy Research Institute, said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency recently that the initiative of jointly building the “the Belt and Road” has strongly promoted Kenya’s infrastructure construction and economic development, promoted regional economic cooperation and cultural exchanges, and brought unprecedented development opportunities to Kenya.
Munineh said that Kenya, as one of the important participants in the “the Belt and Road” initiative, has benefited greatly from it. Especially in terms of infrastructure construction, projects such as the Mombasa Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (Mombasa Nairobi Railway) and the expansion of Mombasa Port have improved Kenya’s transportation conditions and enhanced connectivity with neighboring countries.
Munene emphasized that the Mombasa Nairobi Railway is one of the most important infrastructure projects in Kenya in recent years. This project not only connects important cities such as Nairobi and Mombasa, but also extends to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This cross regional connectivity promotes trade between Kenya and neighboring countries, deepening economic cooperation and cultural exchanges among African countries. The logistics efficiency in Kenya has been further improved, thereby promoting sustained economic growth.
Turning to green transformation and the application of new technologies, Munineh said that the joint construction of the “the Belt and Road” has played an important role in promoting the transition of African countries to clean energy. China has a leading position in the field of new energy technology, and Kenya has launched multiple collaborations with China in the field of new energy, including the development and utilization of renewable energy such as solar and wind power. These collaborations not only help Kenya achieve energy self-sufficiency, but also promote the green transformation of the African continent. China has helped African countries cultivate young talents and enhance their capabilities in the field of new energy technology
Munene said that the current trend of anti globalization and the rise of trade protectionism have brought significant impacts to the global economy. To jointly build the “the Belt and Road”, by strengthening international cooperation and exchanges, we will promote the economic cooperation and trade exchanges of countries to jointly build, and inject new vitality into economic globalization.
Munineh believes that the joint construction of the “the Belt and Road” has brought changes to the African continent, giving African countries a greater voice and capacity for independent development. “Kenya will continue to actively participate in various cooperation under the ‘the Belt and Road’ initiative, jointly respond to global challenges, and contribute to promoting regional cooperation and development.”