Evidence that Changes Lives.

We research what matters. We share what we find. Research that drives inclusive development across Southern Africa.

EXPLORE OUR RESEARCH

Who We Are & What we do

ZongeTech Research Institute is a consulting firm owned by ZongeTech Investments (PTY) Ltd, based in South Africa. We are a team of social researchers working across South Africa, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique. We produce rigorous, evidence-based research for nonprofits, governments, and international organisations — and we share our knowledge freely, because we believe it belongs to everyone.

Our Mission

To produce high-quality social research that drives positive change for communities, workers, and vulnerable groups across Southern Africa — and to build the research capacity of the organisations we work with.

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Our Vision

A Southern Africa where the principles of evidence-based decision-making are at the forefront of development efforts, ensuring that every community, regardless of its socio-economic status, has the opportunity to thrive.

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Our Values

  • Rigour — we apply the highest standards to every piece of research we produce.

  • Inclusion — we centre the voices of marginalised groups in all our work.

  • Solidarity — we see our research partners as collaborators, not just clients.

  • Openness — we share knowledge freely, because we believe it belongs to everyone.

  • Accountability — we hold ourselves to the same standards we ask of others.
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How our research influence development agenda

From Field To Policy

Our work is guided by one purpose: to contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the region. Every research project we carry out helps our partners design better programmes, influence policy, and improve the lives of the communities they serve.

We also believe research should be shared freely. That is why all our toolkits, training materials, and research resources are available at no cost — because we see building our partners’ capacity as just as important as delivering research to them. Most of the organisations we work with do not call us consultants. They call us partners. And that is exactly how we see them, too.

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Countries
Active research presence
across Southern Africa
South Africa Malawi Zimbabwe Zambia Mozambique
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Projects
Research projects delivered for the World Bank, ILO, SADC, among other partners.
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Free Toolkits
Research resources available
at no cost — no sign-up needed

WHY CHOOSE US

WHY WORK WITH ZONGETECH?

We see ourselves as research collaborators who share a deep commitment to your mission and vision. We’re partners who not only understand the goals of your research project but are also passionate about contributing our expertise and resources to help achieve those objectives.

Here are the five key reasons you should partner with us.

  • We are rooted in Southern Africa.
  • We share our knowledge freely.
  • We build your capacity, not just our invoice.
  • We are academically rigorous.
  • We treat you as a partner, not a client.
Our Research Themes

Ten themes. One shared purpose.

Our work is organised around ten core research themes. Two of these — inclusive disaster risk reduction and climate change — are our flagship areas. They reflect the most urgent development challenges facing Southern Africa today, and they cut across everything else we do.

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Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction

Natural disasters and climate shocks hit the most vulnerable people hardest — people with disabilities, women, informal workers, and migrants. We research how disaster risk programmes can be designed to leave no one behind, from early warning systems to post-disaster recovery.

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Climate Change, Just Transition & Environmental Sustainability

The shift to a green economy is reshaping work and livelihoods across Southern Africa. We research the impact of decarbonisation on workers and communities — and we believe the shift must be fair, not just fast.

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Labour Markets, Decent Work & Industrial Relations

From collective bargaining to trade union revitalisation, we research the conditions under which workers across the region earn a living — and how those conditions can be improved.

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Occupational Safety & Health

We assess OSH risks in high-risk sectors — agriculture, construction, mining, and health care. Our work supports national OSH policy, workplace assessments, and advocacy for safer working conditions.

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Labour Migration & Social Protection

Millions of workers cross SADC borders each year with limited rights and no social protection. We research fair recruitment, portability of benefits, and the policy frameworks needed to protect them.

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Disability Inclusion in Development

Disability is too often an afterthought in development programmes. We research how to mainstream disability rights into health systems, disaster response, and community development — so no one gets left behind.

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Gender Equality & Women's Empowerment

We conduct feminist policy research, evaluate gender programmes, and investigate gender-based violence in the world of work — helping our partners build more equitable programmes and policies.

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Informal Economy & Formalisation

Most workers in Southern Africa work informally — without contracts, social protection, or labour rights. We research pathways to formalisation and the barriers that stand in the way.

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Gig Economy, Platform Work & the Future of Work

From food delivery apps to ride-hailing platforms, the gig economy is growing fast. We research what it means for workers — and what trade unions and policymakers need to do about it.

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Public Health & Health Systems Strengthening

We research health worker wellbeing, burnout, and the structural challenges that undermine health systems — helping organisations build more resilient, equitable health services.

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View All Research Themes
Free Resources & Toolkits

Knowledge belongs to the
communities we work with.

All our toolkits are free. No sign-up. No catch. We produce them because we believe knowledge belongs to the communities we work with — not just to researchers and consultants.

★ Featured · Research Handbook

Inclusive Research Handbook: Conducting Research With and For People With Disabilities

A comprehensive, field-tested handbook guiding researchers through disability-inclusive study design, ethics, and data collection across six disability categories — physical, visual, hearing, speech, psychosocial, and intellectual. Covers accessible questionnaire design, interview etiquette, venue preparation, and adapted focus group facilitation. Aligned with the CRPD and South Africa's Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act.

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Toolkit

Participatory Research Toolkit for Communities

A step-by-step guide to designing and running participatory research with communities — including focus groups, community mapping, and participatory action research. Designed for programme staff, community health workers, and field researchers with little or no formal research training.

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Toolkit

Emancipatory Research Toolkit

A practical guide to research that centres the experiences and agency of marginalised groups — including persons with disabilities, women, and informal workers. Includes facilitation guides, interview frameworks, and ethics checklists for researchers committed to rights-based approaches.

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Toolkit

Just Transition & Climate Justice Toolkit for Civil Society

A practical guide for trade unions and civil society organisations to engage with climate change policy and just transition frameworks. Includes facilitation tools, policy primers, and case studies drawn from Southern Africa — connecting climate science to workers' rights and community resilience.

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Research Guide

Agribusiness & Smallholder Farmer Research Guide

A field research guide for studying smallholder farming systems, agricultural value chains, and rural food markets in Southern Africa. Covers participatory farm assessment, seasonal calendars, and market mapping — with tools adapted for low-literacy contexts and multilingual field settings.

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Governance Guide

Labour Migration Governance Guide for Trade Unions

A plain-language guide to key international labour standards on migration, fair recruitment, and the portability of social security benefits. Designed for trade union educators and organisers working with migrant workers across Southern Africa.

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Field Guide

Mobile & Low-Tech Data Collection Guide for Field Researchers

A practical guide to collecting research data in low-connectivity, resource-constrained environments — covering mobile survey tools, offline data capture, SMS-based feedback systems, and paper-to-digital workflows. Designed for field research in rural Southern Africa where connectivity remains uneven.

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Assessment Guide

Occupational Safety & Health Assessment Guide

A practical guide for conducting OSH risk assessments in workplaces across Southern Africa, with sector-specific checklists for agriculture, construction, and health care. Aligned with the ILO's OSH Management Systems guidelines and adapted for Southern African regulatory contexts.

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Research Guide

Community Health Research Guide for Southern Africa

A practical guide to conducting primary health care research in under-resourced settings — covering community health worker interview protocols, patient journey mapping, and health facility assessment frameworks. Designed for researchers working across public health, disease burden studies, and health equity in NHI-adjacent community structures.

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Infographic Series

Food Systems & Nutrition Security: A Visual Research Primer

A visual infographic series covering food sovereignty concepts, nutrition security indicators, value chain mapping, and seasonal food availability calendars. Designed for field researchers and community facilitators who need to communicate food systems findings to non-specialist audiences. Available as a printable A3 poster set and a digital slide deck.

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Showing 10 of 10 free resources

Have a Research Question We Can Help Answer?
We partner with nonprofits, government departments, and international organisations across Southern Africa. If you have a research need — big or small — let's talk about it.
Request a Research Consultation
Contact the Institute

Our Research Team Have Consulted With the Following Partners

Labour World Bank
Paliani Chinguwo 2023
Health DREAM Programme
Wongani Chavula 2026
Decent Work ILO
Nyasha Muchichwa 2024 – 2026
M&E ActionAid Malawi
John Kumwenda 2024
Disability SAFOD
Paliani Chinguwo 2022 – 2023
Labour SADC
Nyasha Muchichwa 2024 – 2026
Health CHAM – EMPOWER
John Kumwenda 2021 – 2024
Labour Public Services International
Paliani Chinguwo 2021 – 2023
Research IUF
Crispen Chinguno 2022
Labour GOPA Worldwide Consultants
Paliani Chinguwo 2025
Disability Atlas Alliance
Paliani Chinguwo 2022
Health SRHR Africa Trust
John Kumwenda 2024
Research Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Crispen Chinguno 2018
Labour LEDRIZ
Nyasha Muchichwa 2005 – 2024
Research ZILARD
Mercy Mwale 2019 – Present
M&E World Bank
John Kumwenda 2023
Disability FEEC
Wongani Chavula 2015 – 2019
Labour Rosa Luxemburg Foundation
Crispen Chinguno 2022
Labour Evidence Based Solutions
Paliani Chinguwo 2024
Finance Bank of Zambia
Mercy Mwale 2017 – 2018
Labour ILO
Paliani Chinguwo 2021 – 2022
M&E TNM
John Kumwenda 2025
Development AfDB
Nyasha Muchichwa 2020
Gender Women for Change
Mercy Mwale 2019
Labour StreetNet International
Paliani Chinguwo 2012
Health Envt'l Affairs Dept
John Kumwenda 2026
Labour MCTU
Paliani Chinguwo 2022
Labour ILO – SAMM / SATUCC
Nyasha Muchichwa 2023
Labour World Bank
Paliani Chinguwo 2023
Health DREAM Programme
Wongani Chavula 2026
Decent Work ILO
Nyasha Muchichwa 2024 – 2026
M&E ActionAid Malawi
John Kumwenda 2024
Disability SAFOD
Paliani Chinguwo 2022 – 2023
Labour SADC
Nyasha Muchichwa 2024 – 2026
Health CHAM – EMPOWER
John Kumwenda 2021 – 2024
Labour Public Services International
Paliani Chinguwo 2021 – 2023
Research IUF
Crispen Chinguno 2022
Labour GOPA Worldwide Consultants
Paliani Chinguwo 2025
Disability Atlas Alliance
Paliani Chinguwo 2022
Health SRHR Africa Trust
John Kumwenda 2024
Research Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Crispen Chinguno 2018
Labour LEDRIZ
Nyasha Muchichwa 2005 – 2024
Research ZILARD
Mercy Mwale 2019 – Present
M&E World Bank
John Kumwenda 2023
Disability FEEC
Wongani Chavula 2015 – 2019
Labour Rosa Luxemburg Foundation
Crispen Chinguno 2022
Labour Evidence Based Solutions
Paliani Chinguwo 2024
Finance Bank of Zambia
Mercy Mwale 2017 – 2018
Labour ILO
Paliani Chinguwo 2021 – 2022
M&E TNM
John Kumwenda 2025
Development AfDB
Nyasha Muchichwa 2020
Gender Women for Change
Mercy Mwale 2019
Labour StreetNet International
Paliani Chinguwo 2012
Health Envt'l Affairs Dept
John Kumwenda 2026
Labour MCTU
Paliani Chinguwo 2022
Labour ILO – SAMM / SATUCC
Nyasha Muchichwa 2023