The 1st African Women Land Professional Associations Conference (FAWLPAC) is set to take place from 24th to 28th November 2024 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Hosted by the International Federation of Surveyors-Africa Regional Network (FIG-ARN), NELGA-East African node, and Ardhi University, the conference aims to raise awareness of gender disparity in land-related careers and highlight the critical contributions of women to inclusive and sustainable land governance in Africa.

Under the theme “Women Land Professionals and the Struggle for Inclusive Land Governance in Africa: Reflections on the Past, Present, and the Future”, the conference will bring together land professionals, including surveyors, planners, architects, engineers, and academics from across Africa. The event will also feature key sessions, including reflections on the history, current state, and future opportunities for women in land governance.

The conference will be officially opened by Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania. Attendees will have the chance to learn from inspiring women professionals, share knowledge, forge collaborations, and participate in networking sessions, including technical tours and a gala night. For registration, sponsorship opportunities, and accommodation details, click here https://fig.net/news/news_2024/09_AWLPAC_November.asp

The Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa NELGA is proud to unveil its latest Research Compendium, a significant collection of research studies conducted by NELGA scholars. This compendium highlights research in land governance, sustainable land management, and socio-economic land tenure systems, showcasing the role land plays in Africa’s development.

The compendium features a wide range of abstracts, presenting research from various land-related disciplines. Each study offers valuable insights into how land governance affects communities, economies, and the environment. These studies emphasise the importance of sustainable land use, equitable land tenure systems, and the role of technology in land monitoring.

Key areas of focus include the impact of rapid land use changes on Ghana’s water resources, gender equity in land rights in Sierra Leone, and strengthening customary land governance in Ghana. Additionally, the compendium covers research into the dynamics of urban planning and housing markets in Namibia, providing practical solutions for policy-makers, investors, and planners.

This collection not only celebrates the accomplishments of NELGA scholars but also serves as a platform for global knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Explore the compendium here: https://nelga.uneca.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RESEARCH-COMPENDIUM-NELGAs-Impact-in-Land-themed-Professional-Development-v1-SP.pdf

The Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) ignited a transformative dialogue on gender and land governance during its workshop held from July 29-30, 2024, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Bringing together a diverse group of NELGA experts from policymakers and government officials to academics and civil society leaders made the workshop engaging and successful.

The workshop aimed to equip attendees with the skills to champion gender equality and integrate these perspectives into their work. It facilitated the creation of actionable plans and fostered strong networks among professionals dedicated to advancing inclusive land governance.

With a focus on the intersection of gender and land governance, the workshop delved into how gender perspectives can reshape land policies and practices. Participants engaged in discussions explored NELGA strategies, and shared case studies that spotlighted advances in women’s land rights.

As a result, the event not only enriched participants’ understanding but also set the stage for ongoing collaboration and collective action. NELGA’s commitment to fostering gender-responsive land governance in East Africa was reaffirmed, paving the way for more equitable and sustainable development in the region.

The 13th EALAN Annual General Meeting and Conference, jointly organised by the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa NELGA Eastern Africa Node, and Ardhi University, took in Dar es Salaam on 2nd August 2024. This event marked a significant step forward in integrating Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) principles into land administration practices across Eastern Africa.

The conference, which followed three intensive workshops on Dispute Resolution in Land Administration, Promoting Gender Equality and Women’s Land Rights, and a Write-shop from 29th July to 1st August 2024, brought together experts, policymakers, and practitioners to explore how ESG considerations can drive sustainable development in the region.

ESG principles, increasingly central to global discourses, were at the heart of the conference. Participants examined the role of responsible land administration in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to clean energy, reducing inequalities, responsible consumption, and climate action. The discussions underscored the impact that ethical governance, social justice, and sustainable practices in land use have on communities and the environment.

The conference highlighted case studies demonstrating the successful implementation of ESG strategies, providing a blueprint for other regions to follow. The event deepened the understanding of ESG in the context of land administration and also set the stage for future collaboration and innovation, ensuring that land governance contributes to a more equitable and sustainable future in Eastern Africa.

Africa’s journey towards sustainable land governance is characterized by the collective efforts of stakeholders, including academic institutions, multilateral organizations, and government bodies. Recently, the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) actively participated in the FIG Working Week held in Accra, Ghana, from May 19th to 24th, 2024.

NELGA’s engagement revolved around the theme of “Spatialities: Land, spatial development, and climate change.” Through insightful sessions, experts explored the intricate relationships between land, spatial planning, and climate change, offering innovative solutions for sustainable land management across Africa.

NELGA also shared “Good practices of African academic institutions in responding to the needs of the land sector.” This session emphasized the pivotal role of higher education institutions in shaping land governance’s future through curriculum development, evidence-based decision-making, and capacity building.

Chaired by Prof. John Tiah Bugri, Coordinator of NELGA West Africa, the session provided a platform to discuss best practices in land governance curriculum development, graduate integration into the labour market, and evidence-based decision-making.

NELGA also shared insights into its contributions to the AU Agenda on Land implementation and policy reform.

The engagement underscored the imperative for continued collaboration and innovation in land governance education. It emphasized platforms like NELGA in driving positive change across the continent. Through its participation, NELGA reaffirmed its commitment to empowering Africa’s land governance through education, research, and collaboration, laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and prosperous future.

In an exciting initiative to bolster land governance, Kaolack in Senegal, became the epicentre of a training workshop from May 30-31, 2024. This event, spearheaded by the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa NELGA and partnered with SEEN SUUF (GIZ), aimed to equip local elected officials and land management professionals with essential skills for sustainable development.

Professor Ibrahima Diallo emphasized the urgency of addressing land conflicts in Africa. “Since 2018, our centre has been tackling the rising land disputes that alarm both communities and governments. Effective land management is pivotal for Africa’s development. Training is a crucial part of the solution. With Senegal’s population expected to soar from 18 million to 35 million by 2050, we must prepare for the future now,” he remarked.

The Kaolack workshop featured hands-on exercises in national domain management, practical insights into the Senegalese intercommunity, and valuable exchanges of experiences and tools among practitioners. Mamour Dramé, the coordinator of the SEEN SUUF project in Kaolack, highlighted the strategic selection of local officials for this training, given their vital role in resolving land disputes, especially with the implementation of Act 3 of decentralisation.

This initiative underscores NELGA’s commitment to fostering transformational land governance and ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for West Africa.

The African Land Policy Centre, in collaboration with partner universities and GIZ, organised the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa NELGA Breakfast at this year’s World Bank Land Conference in Washington, DC. This special event, attended by 33 partners, marked the 10-year anniversary of NELGA and served as a platform to share progress, experiences and forge new partnerships.

The breakfast event highlighted NELGA’s substantial achievements over the past decade. From developing country-specific curricula to providing over 132 scholarships and delivering 51 short-term training sessions, NELGA has significantly enhanced capacity building in land governance across Africa. The network’s success is underscored by its more than 70 partner institutions in over 40 countries, all working together to build capacities for the implementation of the AU Agenda on Land.

The Breakfast aimed to attract more partners and ensure the sustainability of NELGA’s programs. Partners expressed a strong interest in collaborating with NELGA, particularly in ongoing research and capacity-building initiatives.

The NELGA Breakfast was a celebration of past successes and a call to action for future collaborations. As NELGA moves forward with its strategic plan for 2023-2027, the focus will remain on fostering knowledge development, supporting policy processes, and building institutional capacities. This milestone event paves the way for increased cooperation, ensuring that NELGA continues to play a pivotal role in land governance and sustainable development across Africa.

The Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) successfully held a workshop in Congo Brazzaville from June 10 to 12, 2024. The workshop aimed to capitalize on and consolidate NELGA’s achievements in Central Africa over the past six years. Key stakeholders gathered to review progress, strengthen accomplishments, and strategize for the sustainability of NELGA’s initiatives.

NELGA was established to support the African Union’s land agenda by promoting applied research, offering both long- and short-term training, and facilitating dialogue with policymakers. The University of Yaoundé I serve as a regional hub, coordinating NELGA’s activities in Central Africa, with support from the network’s continental secretariat based in Addis Ababa.

In collaboration with the African Land Policy Centre (ALPC), the SLGA programme has bolstered the Central African node with the primary goal of enhancing human and institutional capacity by creating a network of excellence in land governance within selected universities and research institutions.

Key initiatives have included raising awareness of NELGA among stakeholders, fostering networking, sharing information and lessons learned, and integrating NELGA’s curriculum development guidelines. A research programme has been established to foster collaboration between NELGA partners in Central Africa and beyond. Training courses on land governance have been conducted for educators and practitioners, along with the development of online training tools.

The workshop enabled the NELGA Central Africa node and its stakeholders to delineate the pillars of work necessary for sustaining NELGA’s activities in the sub-region and to clarify their roles and responsibilities in this ongoing effort.