A high-level dialogue on China-Africa green cooperation took place in Nairobi, bringing together key stakeholders from government, academia, and the environmental sector to explore opportunities for strengthening ecological partnerships between the two regions.
Hosted at the University of Nairobi’s Confucius Institute by the Chongqing Land and Sea International Communication Foundation, the China-Africa Ecological Civilization Exchange Forum provided a unique platform for discussing strategies to advance sustainability. The event featured a photo exhibition titled The City of Eagles, highlighting the green transformation of Chongqing, a city in southwest China.
One of the key moments of the forum was the launch of a nature observation program aimed at fostering collaboration between Chinese and African youth in environmental conservation efforts. This initiative seeks to promote knowledge exchange, capacity-building, and the sharing of best practices in ecological protection.
Speaking at the forum, Njoroge Muchiri, Deputy Governor of Nairobi, emphasized the city’s commitment to reclaiming degraded green spaces and rehabilitating its river ecosystems. He noted that his recent visit to China offered valuable insights into successful conservation models, particularly the restoration of the Yangtze River, which serves as a major ecological and economic lifeline in China.
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“In collaboration with the Chinese government and Chinese investors, we are working on a major rehabilitation program for Nairobi’s rivers,” Muchiri stated. “This will enable us to restore vital ecosystems and enhance urban sustainability.”
Muchiri’s remarks underscore Nairobi’s broader aspirations to integrate sustainable urban planning, reforestation, and pollution control into its development agenda. Lessons drawn from China’s approach could provide a roadmap for Nairobi and other African cities striving for environmental resilience.
Nevile Agesa, Project Manager at Mara Conservation Fund, highlighted how partnerships with Chinese entities have strengthened efforts to protect Kenya’s fragile ecosystems. He noted that conservation organizations face mounting challenges due to the triple planetary crisis—climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
“With China’s support, we have been able to enhance habitat protection and implement innovative conservation solutions,” Agesa explained. “This is critical in safeguarding Kenya’s rich biodiversity, particularly in areas such as the Maasai Mara.”
China’s role in supporting conservation efforts in Africa aligns with its broader commitment to green development and climate resilience, reinforcing the importance of cross-border environmental partnerships. Representing China’s engagement in Africa’s sustainability efforts, Hu Henghua, Mayor of Chongqing Municipality, reaffirmed China’s willingness to collaborate on various aspects of green development. He emphasized China’s expertise in urban sustainability, clean energy development, and biodiversity conservation as areas where Africa could benefit from shared knowledge and investment.
“We stand ready to leverage this platform to work with African partners in advancing sustainability,” Hu stated. “From wildlife protection to clean energy, our joint efforts can yield long-term environmental benefits.”
Guo Haiyan, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that China prioritizes global ecological health and has actively integrated sustainable practices into its projects in Kenya. She cited the construction of the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) as an example of how Chinese enterprises incorporate green principles in large infrastructure projects.
“China remains committed to promoting green development in Africa,” Guo noted. “Our recently launched Partnership Action for Green Development, part of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), reflects this unwavering commitment.”
The China-Africa green dialogue is a testament to the increasing recognition of sustainability as a shared responsibility. As African nations pursue economic growth and infrastructure expansion, collaboration with China presents an opportunity to integrate environmental sustainability into these efforts.
By investing in clean energy, urban greening, and ecosystem restoration, China and Africa can jointly tackle pressing environmental challenges while ensuring that economic development does not come at the expense of natural resources.
Moving forward, the success of initiatives such as the nature observation program and Nairobi’s river rehabilitation project will depend on continued stakeholder engagement, policy support, and knowledge exchange between China and African countries. Through such collaborations, both regions stand to benefit from a greener and more resilient future.
