Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe will host the 6th Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration from November 15 to 19, 2026, following Cabinet approval of the country’s bid to convene the high-level continental meeting.
The announcement was made by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Zhemu Soda during a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday.
The conference comes after Zimbabwe’s appointment as Chair of the African Registrars General Bureau, representing the Southern Africa region, a position that places the country at the centre of continental efforts to strengthen civil registration and vital statistics systems.
According to Dr Soda, Cabinet approved the hosting of the conference following a presentation by Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe.
“Following Zimbabwe’s appointment as Chair of the African Registrars General Bureau representing the Southern Africa region, Cabinet considered and approved the hosting of the 6th Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration, to be held from 15th to 19th November 2026,” Dr Soda said.
The conference is expected to bring together African ministers and other key stakeholders to deliberate on ways of strengthening civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems across the continent.
Civil registration systems are central to establishing legal identity and documenting vital events such as births, deaths and marriages. Reliable vital statistics generated through these systems also provide governments with information needed for planning, policymaking and the delivery of public services.
Dr Soda said African countries had placed increasing emphasis on strengthening CRVS systems through improved registration mechanisms, digital transformation, legal reforms, sustainable financing and stronger coordination among member states.
“Civil Registration and Vital Statistics systems play a crucial role in providing legal identity, supporting effective governance and enabling evidence-based planning and service delivery,” he said.
The minister said the continental push to improve CRVS systems was also focused on modernizing registration processes and ensuring that countries had sustainable mechanisms for collecting and managing vital population data.
The conference is expected to provide an opportunity to showcase its experiences while contributing to continental discussions on improving access to civil registration services and strengthening population data systems.
Dr Soda said the hosting of the conference would further position the country within Africa’s ongoing efforts to advance civil registration and vital statistics.
“Hosting the Conference will position Zimbabwe as a leader in advancing civil registration and vital statistics systems in Africa and demonstrate the country’s commitment to the continental Civil Registration and Vital Statistics agenda,” he said.
The November conference will also provide a platform for African countries to exchange experiences and consider practical approaches to strengthening registration systems, particularly amid growing calls for digital transformation and more efficient public administration.
The meeting is also expected to underscore the importance of reliable civil registration data in supporting evidence-based development planning across African countries.
New Ziana
