The eight initiatives targeting Africa and worth Sh6 trillion are contained in President Xi Jinping’s “Socialism with Chinese Characteristics” policy. They involve industrial promotion, infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, green development, capacity-building, healthcare, people-to-people exchange and peace and security. The three deals mean Beijing has signed at least 20 agreements and MoUs with Nairobi under President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure. China issued a pledge of Sh6 trillion last September, including Sh1.5 trillion in grants and another Sh1.5 trillion in interest-free loans. As part of the eight initiatives, China is also to fund security assistance programmes within the BRI to “build capacity in African countries for peace and security, safeguard security of trade routes between China and Africa.”

Source: Daily Nation April 26, 2019 04:00 UTC