Category: News
Strengthening Land Governance Education: Curriculum Validation Workshop
The University of Douala, in collaboration with the NELGA Central Africa node, held a curriculum validation workshop in Kribi, Cameroon. The event marked a milestone in the reform and advancement of land governance education in the region.
The workshop brought together academic experts, university leaders, and land professionals to review and validate newly developed training modules focused on land governance and territorial management. These modules were developed in line with the African Union’s Guidelines on Land Policy in Africa and tailored to address the complex realities of Central Africa—particularly in urban and coastal contexts.
A major highlight of the workshop was the alignment of academic curricula with regional challenges such as rapid urbanisation, coastal vulnerability, climate change, and land-related conflict. The sessions emphasised inclusive approaches, including gender equality, youth engagement, and interdisciplinary learning.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to equip the next generation of land professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to ensure responsible, equitable, and sustainable land management in Africa.
The University of Douala’s leadership and commitment to educational reform is a promising step forward in addressing land governance challenges through targeted academic transformation.
Ethiopia Advances Women’s Leadership in Land and Climate Governance
Bishoftu, Ethiopia | June 21, 2025
With support from the Strengthening Land Governance in Africa (SLGA) and Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Government of Ethiopia convened National Dialogue on Gender, Land, and Climate Resilience from 20–21 June 2025.
The two-day dialogue brought together women parliamentarians, policymakers, civil society, and technical experts to develop actionable strategies for gender-responsive land governance and climate action.
With opening remarks from IGAD’s Head of Mission to Ethiopia, Mr. Abebaw Bihonegn (on behalf of H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu), the event reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment to aligning national efforts with global and regional frameworks such as the SDGs and AU Agenda 2063. Speakers from Ethiopia’s Parliament, Ministry of Agriculture, and GIZ echoed the country’s drive to embed equity and resilience in land and climate policies.
Participants tackled challenges such as discriminatory land laws, limited women’s participation, and weak institutional coordination. They proposed stronger legal protections, increased funding, and inclusive planning to unlock women’s leadership in climate-smart land reform.
The event outcomes including a national policy brief will feed into IGAD’s Regional Dialogue in July.
Tanzania Integrates Land Governance into Climate Action
From 02–04 June 2025, Morogoro, Tanzania hosted a three-day national consultation workshop aimed at aligning land governance with the country’s climate ambitions. The event, organised by Tanzania’s Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development in partnership with the Vice President’s Office, focused on reviewing the country’s second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC2.0) and laying the groundwork for the forthcoming NDC3.0 submission.
The workshop, supported by GIZ’s “Strengthening Advisory Capacities for Land Governance in Africa” (SLGA) programme, brought together government officials, academic experts, local consultants, and civil society representatives. Their joint mission: to evaluate existing gaps in NDC2.0 and ensure land governance issues are fully embedded in the updated climate framework.
By examining links between land use, tenure security, and climate adaptation, stakeholders developed targets, indicators, and action plans to inform NDC3.0. The process reflects Tanzania’s growing recognition of land governance as a key lever in achieving climate resilience and meeting obligations under the Paris Agreement and Rio Conventions.
SLGA’s support, including the engagement of national and regional consultants, underscores Germany’s ongoing partnership with African countries to enhance climate-smart land policy development. The outcomes of this workshop will also feed into regional and global dialogues, including the 2025 World Bank Land Conference.
Strengthening Youth Employment in The Gambia’s Land Sector
From 3–4 June 2025, Banjul hosted a multi-stakeholder dialogue addressing a pressing issue in The Gambia: the employment prospects of graduates in the land governance sector. Organised by the GIZ–SLGA Programme in collaboration with the NELGA Anglophone West Africa Node, the two-day forum brought together representatives from academia, government, the private sector, and civil society to develop practical solutions for bridging the gap between higher education and the demands of the labour market.
Opening the event, Prof Herbert Robinson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of The Gambia, emphasised the institution’s contribution to the sector since 2010. “Land without capacity is useless,” he noted, underlining the importance of combining knowledge with practical skills to tackle Africa’s land challenges.
A recent labour market study, commissioned by GIZ-SLGA, was presented and discussed. The study revealed a misalignment between academic training and employer expectations, prompting calls for curriculum reform, stronger institutional linkages, and enhanced support for youth entrepreneurship.
Breakout sessions enabled different stakeholder groups to reflect on their roles and propose actionable recommendations at policy, institutional, and individual levels. Regional opportunities and good practices were also explored, contributing to the development of a roadmap for improved youth employability in the land sector.
This initiative marks a step towards aligning education with national development in The Gambia.
NELGA West Africa Strengthens Regional Network Through Alumni Network
From May 13 to 15, 2025, Conakry, Guinea hosted sub-regional workshop on the sustainability of the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) and the launch of its Alumni Network for Francophone West Africa. The event brought together university professors, rectors, students, magistrates, land reform experts, and focal points from eight countries in the region.
The gathering served as a space to reflect on the importance of land governance reforms, the role of academia, and the collective vision for NELGA’s future. Prof. Mohamed Moustapha Diop, NELGA’s focal point in Guinea, emphasized the need for inclusive dialogue and alignment with the African Union’s land policy frameworks. Prof. Ibrahima Diallo, Coordinator of NELGA West Africa, highlighted the network’s achievements in training, research, and policy support.
Mr. Aboubacar Camara, Secretary General of Guinea’s National Transitional Council (CNT), opened the workshop by reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting NELGA’s mission. He stressed the urgent need to address land insecurity, urban pressure, and land grabbing through coordinated reform efforts.
The workshop concluded with a strong call to connect academic research with policy demand, engage public and private actors, and include university leadership in continental-level decisions to ensure the network’s sustainability and relevance in shaping land governance in West Africa.
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.