The 2026 China-Africa Agri-Tech and Industrial Cooperation Forum opened in Nairobi on June 9, bringing together policymakers, researchers and industry leaders to explore ways of deepening agricultural cooperation and advancing agricultural modernization across Africa.
The high-level forum attracted more than 100 delegates who discussed opportunities for expanding collaboration between China and Africa in agricultural technology, innovation, trade and investment.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Guo Haiyan said agricultural modernisation remains a key pillar of cooperation under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. She expressed optimism about the future of the partnership, noting that Africa’s agricultural resources and youthful population, combined with China’s technological expertise, development experience and market opportunities, could help strengthen food security and promote shared prosperity.
Hamadi Boga, Vice President for Programme Delivery at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, said Africa could draw valuable lessons from China’s agricultural development experience. He noted that cooperation in technology adoption, innovation, knowledge sharing and investment could accelerate agricultural transformation, create jobs and enhance food security across the continent.
Also addressing the forum, Willy Mutai, Chief Executive Officer of the Tea Board of Kenya, said the event would help address technology gaps and low agricultural productivity that continue to affect food security in Africa. He added that greater technology exchange and business matchmaking could enable African countries to benefit from China’s advanced agricultural sector and improve farm yields.
The Forum forms part of broader efforts to strengthen China-Africa cooperation in agriculture, with participants focusing on innovation, technology transfer and strategic partnerships aimed at boosting productivity and supporting sustainable development.