France to Handover State-of-the-Art Molecular Biotechnology Centre to the University of Zimbabwe

By Wallace Mawire

As part of its long-standing partnership with Zimbabwe, France will officially hand over a state-of-the-art Biotechnology Centre to the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) on 21 May 2025. The handover ceremony will be attended by His Excellency Mr. Paul-Bertrand Barets, the French Ambassador to Zimbabwe, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe, Professor Dr. Paul Mapfumo, and Zimbabwe’s Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Honourable Ambassador Dr. Frederick Shava,.

The Biotechnology Centre is a cutting-edge molecular and serological diagnostic laboratory established to support Zimbabwe’s efforts in addressing critical agricultural and public health challenges through improved laboratory diagnostics, disease surveillance, and advanced scientific research and innovation. The total investment, from France, amounts to €2.8 million.

This milestone marks a significant achievement under the PACMAN project (Platform for Agricultural Capacity Building and Molecular Diagnostics through Applied Networking), a collaborative initiative funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and implemented by The French agricultural research and international cooperation organization (CIRAD) in partnership with the French Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), the University of Zimbabwe, and the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) of Zimbabwe.

Designed to serve as a regional hub for molecular and serological diagnostics, the Centre will strengthen national and regional capacity in disease surveillance, food security, capacity building, and public health by providing access to state-of-the-art biotechnology equipment and tools, research infrastructure, and advanced specialized training.