A Chinese firm has signed a cooperation agreement with Kisumu County Government in Kenya to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing and support major infrastructure projects in the city on the banks of Lake Victoria.

The deal signed on Tuesday by Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o and Liu Chuyi, deputy general manager of Yiyang Yinxiang Trading Company Limited, will also cover solar energy investment, waste recycling, sewer treatment and security surveillance systems.

Under the agreement, Nyong'o said the Chinese firm will partner with the devolved unit to speed up development of affordable housing and support the city's long-term sustainability agenda.

"We will continue to strengthen partnerships locally and globally in order to improve service delivery, (and) sustain growth to ensure development for our people," he said during the signing ceremony.

He noted that embracing international partnerships is crucial to advancing climate-smart innovation and boosting socio-economic growth, as Kisumu works to position itself as a competitive and resilient urban center in the region.

"Through this cooperation, we reaffirm Kisumu's commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship which are all aimed at uplifting our people and driving inclusive development across the county," Nyong'o added.

The housing partnership comes at a time when Kenya's third-largest city is intensifying infrastructure modernization, including expanding its real estate sector, deploying green energy solutions and improving waste management.

victor@chinadailyafrica.com