Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in many African countries, women continue to face significant barriers to owning land independently of their husbands or male relatives. Statutory laws often fail to recognize women’s land rights. Even when such laws exist, enforcement mechanisms are frequently lacking. In traditional or “customary” societies, women’s access to land through purchase or inheritance is limited. However, they often hold stronger management and use rights than men. Since women are typically the main food producers in households, customary systems sometimes grant them indirect land access through kinship ties or their roles as wives, mothers, or daughters.

Addressing these gender disparities is critical to achieving key land objectives. Without gender-inclusive policies, segments of society are excluded from the benefits of land administration, management, and development programs. Effective policies must explicitly promote women’s access to land. This need was highlighted by the Women’s Summit, which revealed persistent gender inequities in access to land, housing, and basic infrastructure across many societies. Equitable access to land is not only a development necessity but also a human rights issue. The UN Economic and Social Council Commission on the Status of Women has stated that “land rights discrimination is a violation of human rights.”

To address these challenges, the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG), in collaboration with the NELGA Eastern African Node, PLAAS, and the NELGA Secretariat, organized the first African Women Land Professional Associations Conference (FAWLPAC). Held in Dar es Salaam from November 24–28, 2024, this groundbreaking conference officially established the African Women Land Professional Association. The association brings together land professionals to promote equality and diversity in the industry.

FAWLPAC aims to empower women in the land sector by offering both technical and soft skills training. These include leadership, public speaking, networking, and confidence-building. By equipping women with these skills, the association ensures they can advance in their careers and contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable land sector.

With its strong focus on education, networking, and professional development, FAWLPAC provides a platform for women to drive meaningful change in the land industry. This initiative marks a significant step toward addressing gender disparities in land governance and ensuring women’s active participation in shaping Africa’s land future.

The Youth Initiative for Land in Africa (YILAA) Namibia proudly participated in the Sub-Regional Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) Sustainability and Alumni Workshop, held in Harare, Zimbabwe. Represented by its Country Director, Cathrine Marenga, YILAA reinforced its dedication to youth empowerment in land governance while showcasing its collaborative efforts with NELGA.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable land governance systems. YILAA’s active involvement in the workshop demonstrated the critical role of youth in shaping sustainable land policies. The discussions highlighted the importance of empowering young people to defend their land rights and influence decision-making processes, ensuring future generations benefit from fair and transparent governance.

NELGA’s support has been instrumental in amplifying YILAA’s mission, providing platforms for engagement, capacity building, and meaningful dialogue. The Harare workshop further solidified this collaboration, offering an opportunity to exchange knowledge and align strategies for impactful outcomes.

Together, YILAA Namibia and NELGA continue to strengthen their partnership, driving forward the agenda of youth inclusion and sustainable land governance across Africa. The workshop marked a significant milestone in advancing this shared vision, reaffirming the importance of youth leadership in the continent’s land governance efforts.

Kumasi, Ghana – The Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) recently concluded a successful workshop focused on sustainability and alumni engagement in Kumasi, Ghana. The workshop served as a platform for reflection and consultation after a decade of NELGA’s implementation in Anglophone West Africa, with the aim of drawing lessons, enhancing achievements, and solidifying progress towards institutional sustainability.

A key outcome of the three-day event was the official launch of the NELGA Anglophone West Africa Alumni Network. This network will provide ongoing support to former beneficiaries of NELGA programs and enhance the network’s effectiveness in the region. The workshop facilitated insightful discussions among NELGA experts, focal points, and civil society organisations, allowing participants to share experiences and lessons learned from implementing various NELGA activities.

The workshop also emphasised gender equity and produced a comprehensive report outlining a roadmap for the alumni network. This roadmap will guide the network’s operations and ensure the continued engagement of its members. In addition to the roadmap, a plan for the organisation and functionality of the alumni network for further solidifying its foundation for future success has been developed.

By fostering connections, peer exchange, mentorship opportunities, and job and funding circulation, the alumni network is expected to strengthen NELGA both regionally and across the continent. This initiative reflects NELGA’s commitment to building a lasting impact on land governance in Africa.

Harare, Zimbabwe – The Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) Southern Africa node successfully hosted a workshop focused on sustainability and the launch of its alumni association from October 29th to 31st, 2024 at the RTG Hotel in Harare. The workshop aimed to consolidate the network’s achievements in the region, strategise for long-term sustainability, and formally establish a vibrant alumni network.

NELGA, with support from the Namibian University of Science and Technology (NUST) as the regional node, has played a crucial role in strengthening land governance capacity in Southern Africa. The organisation’s commitment to applied research, training, and policy dialogues has contributed significantly to the implementation of the African Union’s agenda on land.

The workshop brought together key players in the land governance sector. Participants engaged in discussions centered around capitalising on past successes and ensuring the continuation of NELGA’s impact.

A highlight of the event was the official launch of the NELGA Southern Africa alumni network. This network aims to provide ongoing support and foster collaboration among former participants of NELGA programs. By establishing a strong alumni community, NELGA seeks to leverage the expertise and experience of its graduates to further advance land governance in the region.

The workshop served as a step in strengthening NELGA’s presence and ensuring its long-term sustainability in Southern Africa. The newly launched alumni network is expected to play a role in amplifying the impact of NELGA’s work and contributing to improved land governance practices across the region.

The International Knowledge Forum (IKF 2024), held from September 25 to 27 at the Agronomic and Veterinary Institute Hassan II in Rabat, Morocco, brought together African experts in land governance and geospatial sciences. Under the theme, “Geo-intelligence: Intelligent Land Governance for Resilient Territories,” the Forum, organized by the North African node of the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA), focused on advancing geo-intelligence technologies for sustainable territorial management.

With objectives of promoting innovative geo-intelligence applications, strengthening regional expertise, and fostering knowledge exchange, the Forum highlighted inclusive governance, resilient land policies, and the role of regional cooperation. Key recommendations emphasized the need for accessible, high-quality data to support effective land management, the inclusion of women and youth in governance, and the adoption of context-specific policies.

Participants underscored the importance of South-South partnership to develop and use technology that is adapted to local needs. Initiatives like NELGA and the Arab Land Initiative were spotlighted for their efforts to promote regional cooperation. Additionally, the Forum advocated for capacity building through programs like the ones to be initiated by the Land Governance Academy at IAV, aimed at training stakeholders in land governance and geospatial technologies.

IKF 2024 concluded with a call to strengthen institutional capacities and continue the exchange of best practices across Africa, positioning forums like IKF as crucial for sustainable and collaborative land governance efforts on the continent.

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.