The 2026 China–Africa Capacity Building Seminar on Addressing Climate Change and Promoting the Africa Solar Belt Initiative was held from 14 to 27 June 2026 in Suzhou and Changzhou, China.
The seminar was organised by the Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center of China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment and co-organised by the Research Institute for Environmental Innovation of Tsinghua University, with support from UNICEF, the World Resources Institute, and the China Environmental Protection Foundation.
Its theme emphasised stronger China–Africa cooperation on climate change through renewable energy expansion, particularly solar energy, alongside sustainable development, climate resilience, and the transition to low-carbon economies.
Officials attended from Kenya, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Comoros, South Africa, Seychelles, Zambia, Gabon, and Malawi. Kenya was represented by officials from the Climate Change Directorate and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.
The programme combined expert presentations, policy dialogues, panel discussions, and technical field visits. Participants explored climate governance, clean-energy technologies, low-carbon industrial practices, ecological restoration, and sustainable urban development.
A central focus was the Africa Solar Belt Initiative, which aims to expand access to clean and affordable energy, accelerate renewable-energy deployment, enhance climate resilience, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, and support inclusive socioeconomic development across Africa.
The seminar strengthened partnerships and equipped participants with practical knowledge, technical expertise, and professional networks to advance Kenya’s climate action and renewable-energy priorities.