Senior officials in Kenya have hailed the critical role China has played in developing manufacturing in the East African country and expressed a willingness for continued international cooperation for Kenya's industrial upgrading.

While visiting Yocean Group, a Chinese-invested electrical equipment manufacturer in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, on Wednesday, Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Opiyo Wandayi said Chinese-invested companies have made great contributions to creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, reducing reliance on imports, and building a sustainable future in Kenya.

Stressing the importance of manufacturing to Kenya, Wandayi also promised more measures to improve the business environment for foreign investors.

"The Ministry of Energy is committed to removing barriers and streamlining policies to ensure manufacturers like Yocean Group can thrive," he said.

Kenya's energy and manufacturing sectors are central to the nation's Vision 2030 development agenda, which emphasizes local manufacturing solutions.

The manufacturing sector, which currently contributes 7.6 percent to Kenya's GDP, is expected to account for 20 percent of the country's GDP by 2030, as outlined in Vision 2030.

Tobias Alando, CEO of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, acknowledged the contributions of Chinese companies to technological transformation.

"When we prioritize local production, we promote job creation and economic growth while addressing systemic challenges in the energy sector. This is a pathway to unlocking Kenya's industrial potential," he said.

Jeremiah Kiplagat, director of the Institute of Energy Studies &Research in Kenya, highlighted the successful localization efforts of Chinese companies such as Yocean in creating opportunities for young people.

Yu Yang, managing director of Yocean, said he is proud to say that today the Kenyan team handles 100 percent of the production line in the company.

"We believe that innovation is the key to building a sustainable energy future in Kenya," he said.

Kenya has also made significant strides in renewable energy, with approximately 90 percent of its electricity derived from hydro, solar, wind, and geothermal sources, according to a report published by Kenya's Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.

Wandayi noted ongoing initiatives to expand renewable energy infrastructure in Kenya, highlighting that collaboration with Chinese companies can help address the country's growing energy demand.

These national efforts are further bolstered by the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit's Action Plan, which outlines a comprehensive road map for energy infrastructure development across Africa. A key feature of this plan is the implementation of 30 clean energy projects. These initiatives aim to reduce Africa's dependence on fossil fuels, address the climate crisis, and align with global sustainability goals.

Zhang Mingxiao contributed to this story.