Medalists in the African regional finals of the 2026 China International College Students' Innovation Competition. [Photo/Nanjing Agricultural University]

More than 100 students and teachers from seven African countries and regions gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 27 for the African regional finals of the 2026 China International College Students' Innovation Competition. The event brought together ideas and projects with the potential to address real-world challenges across the continent.

Since the African regional competition opened in May, more than 600 students from 92 universities across Africa had entered the contest. After several rounds of rigorous selection, 20 projects advanced to the final round held in Nairobi.

Professor Shaukat Abdulrazak, Kenya's principal secretary of State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, praised the competition as a vibrant and well-organized platform — one that gives young people the space to explore innovation and entrepreneurship with real purpose.

He also called for deeper China-Africa cooperation in areas such as food security, water management and climate change. He encouraged African innovators to look beyond local challenges and contribute their ideas and solutions to the continent's overall development.

For Eunice Saitieu, a gold medal winner from Egerton University, the competition also highlighted the practical value of international scientific collaboration.

Her team has worked closely with Nanjing Agricultural University on applying molecular breeding technologies to the bean industry. In partnership with Kenyan companies, the project aims to improve local agricultural productivity while helping bring related products to international markets.