Prominent Experts Gather in Kenya to Discuss Cooperation in the Textile Industry
The China-Africa Textile and Apparel International Forum and China-Africa Cultural Exchange Forum were held on the 27th in Eldoret, Kenya. Nearly one hundred representatives from Chinese and Kenyan universities as well as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization gathered at Moi University in Kenya to discuss topics such as “Artificial Intelligence Empowering Textile Technology,” with the expectation of further deepening China-Africa cooperation in the textile industry.
Yan Jinjiang, Acting Director of the Rural Development, Agro-Industry and Industrial Parks Division of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, stated that the textile and apparel industry connects agriculture, manufacturing, trade, employment, and culture, serving as an important carrier for promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization is willing to deepen cooperation with partners from China and Africa, focusing on materials innovation, digital transformation, green manufacturing, technology transfer, and talent cultivation, to support Africa’s textile and apparel industry in enhancing value chain levels and sustainable competitiveness.
Wang Zhidong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Donghua University, suggested in his speech that, leveraging platforms such as the Confucius Institute at Moi University and the China-Africa Digital Education Regional Cooperation Center, efforts should be made to implement joint training programs for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students, facilitate faculty exchanges and vocational skills training, and extend classroom learning into factory workshops, thereby leaving behind a talented workforce for the local textile industry that is both indispensable and practical; jointly establish laboratories, pilot production bases, and standard certification platforms to promote the swift translation of research results from the laboratory to production lines; and encourage exchanges and interactions among young scholars, students, and art practitioners for mutual learning and inspiration.
Moi University President Kipragat Kotut stated that he has observed sincere respect from Chinese partners for the Kenyan people, their creativity, and potential, and looks forward to carrying out joint research projects in the fields of sustainable textiles and circular fashion, while promoting faculty and student exchanges in textile and design disciplines.
The forum, which lasted for two days, was co-hosted by Donghua University and Moi University.
Post time: Sep-02-2026
