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�鶹��ý Chancellor Gary S. May led a delegation to Kenya this week to advance a landmark partnership between the State of California and the Government of Kenya focused on climate action, clean transportation, climate smart agriculture, public health and innovation. Chancellor May was joined by Samuel Assefa, director of the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, as well as several university representatives. The delegation was jointly organized by �鶹��ý Global Affairs, Institute of Transportation Studies and the Office of the Special Envoy on Climate of Kenya.  

The delegation was comprised of Chancellor May and LeShelle May; Vice Chancellor for Research Professor Simon Atkinson; Dean of the College of Letters and Science Professor Estella Atekwana; Dean of the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing Professor Stephen Cavanagh; Dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Professor Ashley Stokes; Vice Provost and Dean of Global Affairs Professor Joanna Regulska; Associate Vice Provost for Global Affairs Dr. Michael Lazzara; Director of the Institute of Transportation Studies Professor Alissa Kendall; Director of the Global South Centre for Clean Transportation Aditya Ramji; and Assefa.

The visit follows a historic  (MOU) signed by California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin and Hon. Lee Kinyanjui, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, in the presence of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Kenyan President William Ruto in September 2025. �鶹��ý, through the Institute of Transportation Studies (), was appointed Secretariat for the partnership. ITS-Davis’s  will coordinate collaboration and ensure research expertise informs government priorities.

“This partnership positions �鶹��ý at the forefront of global climate and transportation innovation,” said Chancellor May. “By connecting our research strengths with Kenya’s emerging clean-tech sector, we can accelerate solutions that benefit both our regions and the planet.”

Advancing the partnership

Throughout the week, Chancellor May met with senior leadership in President Ruto’s administration, including those responsible for investment and trade, climate, agriculture, transportation, and education. Discussions focused on joint research, investment opportunities and strategies to scale solutions in specific sectors, including electric mobility, public transportation, plant breeding, livestock management, soil health and productivity, public health and community development, among others. This builds on a 30-year relationship of �鶹��ý collaborations in Kenya.

The delegation also visited its partner NGOs, such as the Human Needs Project and HEART, as well as potential academic partners, including the University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, and Strathmore University, to explore faculty collaboration, student exchanges, and innovation partnerships that will translate the MOU into on-the-ground action. 

Why Kenya? Why now?

Kenya — often called Africa’s “Silicon Savannah” — has become a regional hub for digital innovation and clean-energy entrepreneurship. Like California, it  and is pioneering policy solutions to accelerate decarbonization and adaptation.

�鶹��ý is uniquely positioned to connect California’s innovation ecosystem with emerging opportunities in Kenya. Positioned between Sacramento’s policy sphere and Silicon Valley’s global tech leadership, the university serves as a bridge between policymakers, researchers, industry, and entrepreneurs on both sides.

Africa’s first Center of Excellence for Sustainable Transport

A key outcome of the delegation was advancing plans for Africa’s first Center of Excellence for Sustainable Transport, to be based in Nairobi and led by the �鶹��ý Global South Center for Clean Transportation. The Center will develop research, training, and technical guidance tailored to African contexts, supporting governments as they design climate-resilient and low-carbon transportation systems.

“This Center is not about exporting California’s model, it’s about co-creating solutions with African governments that reflect local realities,” said Ramji, Director of the Global South Center for Clean Transportation at �鶹��ý. “Kenya is already a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship. By pairing that energy with �鶹��ý’ research expertise, we can help accelerate sustainable transport transitions across the continent.”

Africa faces some of the world’s most severe climate impacts despite contributing the least to global emissions. By embedding research expertise directly into policy and implementation, the Center aims to accelerate solutions with lasting impact.

Importance of partnerships

Africa has the  — more than 400 million people between 15 and 35 — creating one of the most dynamic innovation environments in the world.

“The next generation of world-changing innovation is as likely to emerge from Nairobi or Lagos as it is from Silicon Valley,” said Chancellor May. “�鶹��ý must be at those tables — learning, contributing and leading.”

Through this partnership, �鶹��ý strengthens its global reach while creating opportunities for research collaboration, student experiences and climate impact in California, Kenya and beyond.