Category: News
The 14th IGAD Land Governance Program Steering Committee Meeting
The 14th IGAD Land Governance Program Steering Committee Meeting, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 13 to 14 February 2025, convened leaders from the land institutions of IGAD Member States, experts from the East African NELGA Node, Civil Society Organizations, the African Land Policy Center, and Development Partners, including GIZ, to share updates on land reforms in the region, discuss challenges, and set priorities and action plans essential for promoting the effective implementation of the African Union agenda and declarations concerning land issues.
Members States have a pivotal role in improving land governance at both the national and regional levels by addressing urgent regional issues such as unequal access to and control over land and natural resources, risks posed by climate change, and gender inequality. The funding necessary for the implementation of this regional land governance program is primarily provided by donors and development partners. Among others, the GIZ’s Strengthening Advisory Capacities for Land Governance in Africa (SLGA) programme, supports land reform initiatives within the IGAD region. Collaborating with the IGAD Land Governance Unit, the SLGA programme backs land reforms in Ethiopia, Uganda, South Sudan, and Djibouti, focusing particularly on cross-country learning exchanges, policy-oriented research, coordination within the land sector, capacity building, land information management, and regional and national dialogues on land, gender and climate change.
The Steering Committee, along with GIZ and other partners, emphasized the necessity of enhancing cooperation and partnerships to address issues related to land governance and climate change in the region to ensure development that is inclusive and sustainable.
NELGA Strengthens Research-to-Policy Impact in Kumasi Workshop
NELGA’s recent Research Communication Workshop in Kumasi, Ghana, held from 25–27 February 2025, brought together senior researchers from various institutions to strengthen the link between academic work and land governance policies. Organized in collaboration with the GIZ project Participation, Accountability, and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) in Ghana, the workshop guided participants—who had completed the Atingi e-learning course on Maximizing Research Impact—in refining their policy briefs on key land governance topics, including land tenure, urban planning, and resource management.
As part of the training, participants explored AI-powered tools such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Scispace, alongside visual design platforms like Canva. These tools were not only used for writing but also for structuring policy briefs, simplifying data, and even producing research-related podcasts. One participant reflected, “I’ve learned how to work smarter using AI tools… If the audience doesn’t understand, you haven’t achieved what you set out to do.” This realization underscored the workshop’s emphasis on audience comprehension—ensuring that research communication is effective and accessible to policymakers.
Through interactive activities, stakeholder mapping, and practical exercises, participants received hands-on experience in refining their research communication strategies. Peer review sessions and live demonstrations further enhanced their ability to present research findings in a clear and impactful manner. By the end of the workshop, each attendee had developed a near-final draft of their policy brief, ready for real-world application.
By equipping researchers with digital tools and practical insights, the workshop reinforced NELGA’s commitment to bridging the gap between academic research and policy action. With refined policy briefs in hand, participants are now better prepared to influence land governance discussions across Africa.
NELGA Advances Geospatial Solutions for Sustainable Land Governance at Third Arab Land Conference
Held in Morocco, the Third Arab Land Conference brought together ministers, land governance experts, and stakeholders to address critical challenges in land management across the Arab region. With urbanization, climate change, and land tenure insecurity on the rise, the conference explored solutions for promoting inclusive development, social stability, and sustainable growth. Discussions emphasized the importance of robust land administration systems, regional collaboration, and digital innovation to secure land rights, resolve conflicts, and foster economic resilience.
The Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) played a key role by showcasing its contributions to advancing sustainable land governance through research, capacity building, and policy dialogue. A key session, Integrated Geospatial Information Framework and Land Administration, highlighted the transformative potential of geospatial technologies in improving land governance. NELGA’s work in integrating geomatics and spatial data analysis equips future experts with the tools needed to address land tenure challenges, enhance decision-making, and support climate-resilient development.
Key NELGA partners including Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), underscored the importance of secure land tenure as a foundation for social peace, economic productivity, and environmental sustainability. “Land tenure security is not just about property rights—it is about social peace, economic productivity, and environmental sustainability,” noted Sebastian Wilde, Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy in Rabat.
NELGA reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional collaboration, fostering evidence-based solutions, and preparing the next generation of land governance professionals to address Africa’s evolving challenges.
Rethinking Youth Access to Land: Key Takeaways from the NELGA Francophone Alumni Webinar
On February 10, 2025, the NELGA Alumni Network of Francophone West Africa (RANAF) hosted a webinar on youth access to land, highlighting the challenges faced by young people in securing land rights. The event featured alumni, experts, and stakeholders who shared insights from their field experiences, discussing issues like land scarcity, regional disparities in land access, and the need to expand youth engagement in land-based livelihoods beyond traditional agriculture.
Youth access to land is critical for driving employment, economic growth, and sustainable development in Africa. Yet, misconceptions about land availability, cultural practices, and the complexities of land tenure continue to impede progress. With varying regional contexts across Africa, it is crucial to develop solutions that address these unique challenges and ensure that youth have the opportunity to thrive through secure land rights.
The webinar these misconceptions about land tenure and emphasized the need to rethink youth’s relationship with land. Participants discussed that empowering youth, securing their land rights, and providing financial support to invest in land-based activities are essential to unlocking opportunities for economic growth. By focusing on diverse value chains, the discussion stressed the importance of context-specific strategies to create sustainable solutions for land governance, fostering a new generation of land stewards and innovators in Africa.
Ethiopia Launches Its Pilot National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) with NELGA Support
Ethiopia reached a remarkable milestone with the launch of its Pilot National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). The event was attended by government officials from the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, the Space Science and Geospatial Institute, partners, and GIZ representatives. This infrastructure marks a crucial step toward advancing the country’s digital transformation by enhancing access to reliable geospatial and land data.
Dr. Yeshirun Alemayehu, State Minister at the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, highlighted the strategic importance of NSDI in supporting Ethiopia’s Digital Strategy. He emphasized how it will improve decision-making processes, enabling stakeholders to produce, publish, and share geospatial information, land data, and statistical insights to support national development priorities.
This achievement was made possible through the continuous efforts of Strengthening Advisory Capacities for
Land Governance in Africa (SLGA) programme through the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA). The prgramme financed the initiative, further solidifying its mission to enhance land governance systems in the region.
By fostering stronger collaboration, data-driven decisions, and efficient planning, the NSDI will play a transformative role in advancing land governance and digital services across Ethiopia. It reflects the ongoing impact of NELGA/SLGA partnerships in shaping the future of land management on the continent.
New Insights on Women and Land Governance: Special Issue Released
The latest issue of the African Journal on Land Policy and Geospatial Sciences (Vol. 8 No. 1, 2025) focuses on the critical role of women in land governance across Africa. This special issue presents a diverse range of research exploring the complexities of gender, land rights, and governance, shedding light on both the challenges and opportunities that exist.
From Uganda to Zimbabwe, Cameroon to Kenya, the studies in this issue examine women’s access to land, their role in customary governance, and the impact of policy frameworks on gender equality.
One study highlights the persistent struggles of women in Kakunyu Village, Uganda, in securing land ownership despite existing legal protections. Another investigates how sub-regional efforts are aligning with continental guidelines to promote women’s land rights. In Zimbabwe, researchers take an intersectional approach to analyze urban land corruption, revealing how governance failures disproportionately affect women.
The issue also explores the intersection of land rights with climate change, agriculture, and socio-economic transformation. Studies from Burkina Faso and South Africa discuss how agricultural initiatives and traditional governance structures impact women’s empowerment and land access.
Other contributions address the role of women in agroforestry, the commons, and sustainable land management. This collection of research offers critical insights for policymakers, researchers, and advocates striving to ensure gender-equitable land governance.
Read the full issue https://revues.imist.ma/index.php/AJLP-GS/issue/view/2961
NELGA Knowledge Exchange Webinar Explores Climate Change and Land Governance
The NELGA Knowledge Exchange (NEx) Webinar on Climate Change and Land Governance, held on January 30, 2025, provided a platform for experts and researchers to discuss the critical intersection between climate change and land governance in Africa.
A key highlight was the special edition of the African Journal on Land Policy and Geospatial Sciences (AJLP-GS), which has reached over 10,000 readers worldwide.
The session featured insights from Prof. Moha EL-AYACHI (NELGA North Africa Coordinator), Prof. Patrick OPOKU (Guest Editor), and leading researchers, who presented findings from selected articles. Topics covered included land tenure systems in conflict zones, the impact of mining on land use, and smallholder farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate change.
The discussion emphasized the importance of integrating climate change considerations into land governance. Prof. El-Ayachi noted that the special issue is only the beginning of further research in this field.
The webinar also set the stage for the next NEx session on Gender and Land Governance, with recommendations to enhance outreach, panelist preparation, and audienceengagement. The announcement for the next AJLP-GS special issue is expected soon.
Addressing Urbanisation of Agricultural Lands: Insights from AMC-GOF Webinar
On January 16, 2025, the Moroccan Association of Researchers in Geomatics and Land Governance (AMC-GOF) hosted an insightful webinar on the pressing issue of agricultural land urbanization in Morocco. Supported by the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA), the event explored regulatory frameworks and challenges tied to sustainable land governance.
Khalid El Hadri, Head of the Studies Department at the Urban Agency of Kénitra-Sidi Kacem-Sidi Slimane, highlighted critical gaps in the current legislative framework. His analysis revealed the urgent need to strengthen regulations that address unchecked urban development encroaching on agricultural lands.
Prof. Abdelwahed El Idrissi, Director of the Doctoral Studies Center at INAU, presented a detailed analysis of urbanization trends in Morocco, supported by compelling data. His insights focused on the extent of agricultural land loss and the necessity of aligning urban development with long-term sustainability goals.
The discussions underscored the importance of integrating sustainable land governance policies with urban planning to strike a balance between development and the preservation of valuable agricultural resources.
NELGA’s collaboration in supporting this event reflects its ongoing efforts to foster research, dialogue, and practical solutions to Africa’s land governance challenges.
Special Issue Release: African Journal on Land Policy & Geospatial Sciences (AJLP-GS)
The Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa NELGA proudly announces the publication of a special issue of the African Journal on Land Policy & Geospatial Sciences (AJLP-GS), dedicated to “Land Governance and Climate Change”. This edition provides an important platform for sharing innovative research and fostering dialogue on the nexus of land governance and climate resilience across Africa.
Climate change poses significant risks to sustainable development in Africa, where land degradation, deforestation, and urbanisation challenges are intensifying. This special issue addresses key topics, including land use planning for climate adaptation and mitigation, forest-based climate solutions, urban planning for climate-resilient cities, and land tenure systems in the context of climate change. By highlighting these critical areas, the journal aims to inform policies and practices that can help African communities adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
Contributions to this special issue come from leading researchers and practitioners, offering fresh perspectives on ecosystem-based approaches, sustainable land management strategies, and policy frameworks that integrate climate-smart solutions. This edition not only advances academic understanding but also provides actionable insights for policymakers and development practitioners.
Through this special issue, NELGA reaffirms its commitment to advancing land governance research in Africa and promoting sustainable solutions to the continent’s most pressing environmental challenges.
🔗 Read the full issue here: [https://lnkd.in/eGMWwpwy]
New Leadership: Prof. Uchendu Eugene Chigbu Joins Land Use Policy as Co-Editor-in-Chief
NELGA is proud to share that Prof. Uchendu Eugene Chigbu, a distinguished Professor of Land Administration and Coordinator of NELGA Southern Africa, has been appointed as the new Co-Editor-in-Chief of Land Use Policy journal. He succeeds Prof. Jaap Zevenbergen, an expert in Land Administration and Management at the University of Twente/ITC, Netherlands, who has served in the role for many years.
Prof. Chigbu’s appointment is a significant milestone, not only recognising his individual expertise and leadership but also highlighting NELGA’s role in shaping land governance research in Africa. His extensive work in land policy, rural development, and tenure systems has made him a respected figure in the global land administration community.
Land Use Policy is an international and interdisciplinary journal addressing various aspects of urban and rural land use, including social, economic, political, legal, and planning issues. It serves as a platform for exchanging ideas and knowledge among land experts, policymakers, and academics. By incorporating perspectives from both developed and developing countries, the journal contributes valuable insights for formulating effective land use policies.
Prof. Chigbu’s appointment reinforces NELGA’s commitment to promoting excellence in land governance research and policy development. His new role will undoubtedly strengthen collaboration among global scholars, while further amplifying African perspectives on land use policy.
For more details, visit the journal’s editorial board page.