Africa is home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world, and Zimbabwe’s future stability, economic and social growth depends on its education system. Innovation through research and development is increasingly being recognized as the main catalyst for economic and social development in Africa. On the 3^rd of September 2021, Zimbabwe enacted into law the Centre of Education, Innovation Research and Development Act [Chapter 25:34] (No. 3, 2021) (hereinafter referred to as “the CEIRD Act”).


The main object of the CEIRD Act is to undertake research and innovation through fostering high-quality Education, Innovation, Research and Development in strategically important sectors that have impact on the economy and society of Zimbabwe. The CEIRD Act applies to the public (Government, Universities and Research Institutes) and private industry and all institutions of higher and tertiary education in Zimbabwe. The Act further provide for the establishment of an institution to be known as Centre for Education, Innovation, Research and Development (hereinafter referred to as “the Centre”). The powers to govern and oversee the affairs of the Centre are vested in its Council whose members are appointed by the President upon recommendations by the responsible Minister.


The Centre’s functions as set out in the CEIRD Act include:

1. To support of the development and demonstration of technology-based products, processes and services;
2.  To create techno jobs across the economy, for graduates from all institutions of higher and tertiary learning in Zimbabwe;
3. To provide engineering and technological solutions to industry and the community and generate income;
4. To promote and encourage institutions of higher and tertiary education, industry and community partnerships in engineering, technology and innovation;
5. To create an enabling environment that supports innovation and technology business enterprises and connect the Zimbabwe economy with the global innovation industry;
6. To increase productivity through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics innovation across all of Zimbabwe’s productive and social sectors;
7. To establish Centre satellite institutes distributed in all Provinces of Zimbabwe focusing on priority programmes for strategic sectors that have impact to the economy and society;
8. To coordinate and house programme-based synergies among Universities, Teachers Colleges, Polytechnics, Industrial training Colleges, Vocational training Centres and Research and innovation institutions in tackling national challenges for the modernisation and industrialisation of Zimbabwe; and
9. To improve Zimbabwe’s economic status through production and export of intellectual property.

The promulgation of the CEIRD Act is a welcome development as it reflects the Government’s efforts to explore forward-looking and innovative approaches to education and learning, so as to bridge the gap between educational research, innovation and policy development. However the effective implementation of the provisions of the CEIRD Act will lead to  transformation of the country’s education system and will foster  economic and social growth.