Online Reporter
Takunda Gambiza
Herald Reporter
Bulawayo will host the 2025 Global Research Council (GRC) Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Meeting, following Zimbabwe’s successful bid through the Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ).
The high-level gathering, set for November 10 to 14, 2025, in Bulawayo, will bring together Science Granting Councils (SGCs) from 20 Sub-Saharan African countries to strengthen research collaboration, innovation, and science diplomacy.
Speaking to Zimpapers, RCZ executive director Dr Partson Chikudza, said the event would position Zimbabwe as a hub for international scientific dialogue.
“Hosting this meeting demonstrates our commitment to advancing regional integration and global research collaboration,” he said.
The meeting will precede the 13th GRC Annual Meeting in 2026 and is expected to produce a communiqué outlining shared priorities and frameworks for research funding and governance.
Dr Chikudza highlighted that Zimbabwe’s bid was anchored in its statutory mandate.
“Section 16 of the Research Act obliges us to cooperate with institutions worldwide, and this meeting dovetails perfectly with that responsibility,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s proven capacity to host major scientific events, including the Zimbabwe International Research Symposium, underpinned its successful bid.
The RCZ has already established an organising committee comprising the City of Bulawayo, the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), and government ministries.
“We have the institutional infrastructure, human resource capacity, and logistical readiness to deliver a professional and inclusive meeting,” said Dr Chikudza.
The event will also highlight Zimbabwe’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) strategy, aimed at boosting the country’s profile as a destination for international conferences.
“This is not just about Zimbabwe; it is about strengthening Africa’s collective voice in shaping the global research agenda,” said Dr Chikudza, stressing the broader significance of the gathering.
Dr Chikudza said delegates will include researchers, innovators, and policymakers from across the continent and expects the meeting to foster peer learning and shared problem-solving.
“We are creating a neutral, inclusive space where African science systems can co-design frameworks that enhance research excellence,” Dr Chikudza added.
The outcomes are expected to enhance cooperation among SGCs, boost Zimbabwe’s visibility in scientific diplomacy, and reinforce the continent’s role in global research partnerships.
