Celebrating Collaborative Impact: PLAAS Marks a Milestone in African Land Governance

The Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS) is celebrating 30 years of transformative research, training, and policy engagement in land governance across Africa. Established in 1995 at the University of the Western Cape, PLAAS has become a leading voice in advancing understanding on land, agriculture, and natural resource management — with a focus on equity, inclusion, and sustainable development.

In collaboration with GIZ–Strengthening Advisory Capacities for Land Governance in Africa (SLGA) and the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA), PLAAS hosted a five-day event that brings together researchers, policymakers, civil society representatives, and development partners to reflect on its three-decade journey and chart the way forward for land governance in Africa.

A central highlight of the celebration was the impact of NELGA short course the “Political Economy of Land Governance in Africa and Master Class” on “Climate Change, Pastoralism, and Agro-Pastoral Conflicts in Africa”, which explores how environmental shifts, resource scarcity, and pastoral mobility intersect to shape conflict and cooperation across the continent. The session provided a platform for participants to exchange knowledge, share policy experiences, and propose actionable solutions to strengthen resilience in vulnerable communities.

The event also featured networking opportunities, a field visit connecting academia with practitioners, and the launch of the NELGA–PLAAS Alumni Network, fostering continued collaboration among African land governance experts.

As PLAAS marks this milestone, NELGA and GIZ–SLGA reaffirm their commitment to supporting knowledge exchange and capacity development that empower African institutions and professionals to drive just, inclusive, and sustainable land governance.