BRI Stories | Chinese-supported musical talent show unlocks creative genius of Kenyan youth

Xinhua
06 Feb 2026, 13:45 GMT+10

(260206) -- NAIROBI, Feb. 6, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Fanuel Mulwa receives an interview during the finals of Sing for Africa, a Chinese-supported musical talent show in Nairobi, Kenya, Dec. 29, 2025.

Fanuel Mulwa was over the moon after outperforming dozens of contestants to win Sing for Africa, a Chinese-supported musical talent show launched in Nairobi, Kenya's capital, in November 2025.

The artist competed in every episode of the contest, impressing judges with his smooth vocals, confidence, and commanding stage presence.

"The experience was good, and the artists were highly competitive. During the auditions, I performed a song called Kwaheri -- the Swahili word for goodbye -- as a way of moving on from a previous heartbreak," Mulwa told Xinhua ahead of the finals.

Meeting local music legends during auditions at a studio in Nairobi was uplifting, he said, adding that encouragement from judges pushed him to refine his craft and aim for victory in a contest that captivated audiences in Kenya and beyond.

Mulwa said the experience sharpened his songwriting skills, and he plans to use the prize money of one million Kenyan shillings (about 7,700 U.S. dollars) to set up a studio to nurture the next generation of musical talent in the country.

TO GO WITH "Feature: Chinese-backed musical talent show unlocks creative genius of Kenyan youth" (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

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