Kenya and the People’s Republic of China have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to execute the Africa Solar Belt Project, an initiative focused on off-grid electrification that seeks to enhance access to clean energy in remote and underserved communities.
On Tuesday, an agreement was signed between Kenya’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment, creating a framework for the installation of 80 off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems in designated areas, as stated by the State Department for Energy.
The potential sites identified for this initiative include Kilifi County, Tana River County, and Maasai Mara University.
The solar installations are intended to provide energy for essential public infrastructure in isolated rural regions, focusing on health clinics, community water supply systems, and educational institutions.
In educational facilities, the energy supply will enhance digital learning infrastructure, improve classroom conditions, and facilitate the provision of vital educational services.
In its announcement, the State Department for Energy indicated that the initiative is backed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which is offering technical expertise, resources, and matching funds to improve outcomes that focus on communities and children.
The State Department for Energy has indicated that this initiative will aid in achieving government objectives related to equitable service delivery, decentralized renewable energy generation, and enhancing climate resilience at the community level.
The Africa Solar Belt Project builds upon China’s Ten-Hundred-Thousand Initiative as well as the Belt and Road South-South Cooperation Initiative focused on Climate Change.
