Cabinet has approved the hosting of the Experts Group Meeting for African Registrar Generals and the Board of the Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Shared Asset, set to take place from June 15 to 20, 2026.
The proposal was presented by the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Kazembe Kazembe.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet briefing, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Soda Zhemu, said Zimbabwe’s hosting follows a request from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, which serves as the Secretariat of the Africa Programme on Accelerated Improvement of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics.
“The hosting follows a request which was made by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa as the Secretariat of the Africa Programme on Accelerated Improvement of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics,” he said.
Minister Zhemu highlighted the central role of the Civil Registry Department in national administration.
“The Civil Registry Department is mandated to register births, deaths, national identity, citizenship, marriages, livestock brands and issue travel documents among its main functions,” he said.
“The Department also maintains accurate and reliable civil registration records in Zimbabwe, a function critical for the production of vital statistics.”
He noted that the conference is a key continental platform.
“The Conference of African Registrar Generals is convened annually, with hosting responsibilities rotating among the five regions of the African continent to ensure regional balance and inclusivity,” said Minister Zhemu.
“Zimbabwe, which is a member of the 11-member Board, will host this year’s event in June 2026.”
Minister Zhemu said the meeting is expected to attract wide participation from across the continent.
“The historic meeting will bring together Registrar Generals from all the 54 African countries, technical experts and development partners from across Africa to deliberate on key issues affecting CRVS systems, share experiences and develop strategies for strengthening civil registration on the continent,” he said.
He added that Zimbabwe’s systems have become a benchmark in the region.
“Zimbabwe’s civil registration system is widely recognised for its strength, innovation and ongoing modernisation, with several African countries drawing lessons from our model under the Second Republic,” he said.
The hosting of the meeting is expected to further cement Zimbabwe’s position as a regional leader in civil registration and vital statistics, while providing an opportunity to strengthen collaboration, share best practices and advance reforms that support efficient governance and service delivery across the continent.
