Beyond trade: Kenya, China use music to strengthen relations

Kenyan and Chinese leaders during the launch of Season Two of China-backed musical talent show, Sing for Africa at Argyle Hotel in Nairobi on Friday/HANDOUT 

Kenya and China are deepening their cultural ties through
music, with the launch of the second season of the China-backed musical talent
show Sing for Africa in Nairobi.

The initiative brings together music, youth empowerment and
cultural exchange as the two countries seek to strengthen people-to-people
relations beyond trade and infrastructure.

Season Two was launched on Friday, August 7, during the China-Africa
Women and Youth Development Dialogue at Argyle Grand Hotel in Nairobi.

The event brought together government officials, diplomats,
Chinese representatives, academics, business leaders and players in the
creative industry.

The programme is a flagship activity of the 2026
China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. This year also marks 70 years
of diplomatic relations between China and Africa.

Principal Secretary in the State Department for Gender and
Affirmative Action, Anne Wang’ombe, said cultural programmes such as ‘Sing for
Africa’ provide an important avenue for strengthening friendship between Kenya,
China, and the wider African continent.

“May the music we launch today symbolise harmony, unity, and
shared prosperity between the peoples of Africa and China,” Wang’ombe said.

She said Kenya viewed culture and the creative economy as
important tools for socio-economic transformation.

According to Wang’ombe, programmes that support women and
young people can create opportunities for them to participate in the creative
economy, develop sustainable livelihoods and contribute to their communities.

“Culture and creative industries provide a key avenue for
socio-economic transformation,” she said.

The PS said the partnership also offered opportunities for
cultural dialogue, education and talent development.

She said people-to-people connectivity remained the
foundation of sustainable diplomacy between Kenya and China.

Chinese Minister Counsellor in Kenya Zhang Zhizhong
described music as a universal language capable of crossing national
boundaries.

He said the second season would give African female
musicians a platform to showcase their abilities and pursue their dreams.

“I believe that melodies of diverse styles will become the
heartstrings that resonate with one another, composing a symphony of enhanced
China-Africa friendship and cooperation,” Zhang said.

Hao Zhongwei, Secretary-General of the Chinese People’s
Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said Sing for Africa
had injected new energy into China-Africa people-to-people exchanges.

He called for more innovative cultural programmes that allow
Chinese and African civilisations to learn from each other while retaining
their unique identities.

The Sing for Africa second season will be exclusively
female, following the inaugural edition that featured male contestants and ran
from November 2025 to February this year.

Auditions will be held in institutions of higher learning
and urban centres.

The contestants will eventually be narrowed down to 21, who
will join an academy for mentorship by leading entertainment industry
professionals.

Acting Secretary for Creative Economy Noah Otiende said the
initiative demonstrated that Kenya-China relations extend beyond trade and
infrastructure.

“Beyond trade and infrastructure, our partnership is
strengthened through cultural exchange, education, innovation, and
opportunities that empower our young people and communities,” Otiende said.

He said music could unite communities, promote understanding
and give young people a platform to express themselves.

The programme offers a chance to expose local talent to
international audiences while creating opportunities for mentorship,
collaboration and skills development.

Hao also stressed the need to deepen youth exchanges and
strengthen cooperation in women’s empowerment and development.

For Kenya, such exchanges could widen access to
international creative networks, mentorship and new markets.

They could also help young artists build careers in music
while promoting Kenyan culture beyond the country.

The programme, therefore, positions music not only as
entertainment but as a bridge between societies.