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.

The Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit took place in Nairobi from May 7-9, 2024, to address the decline in soil quality across African farmland. GIZ-SLGA through the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa-NELGA, in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), showcased a study on “Small-Scale Farmers in the Frame of Climate Change and its Impact on Agricultural Production: Lessons Learned from Nine African Countries”.

Presenting the study, Dr Tchigankong Noubissie highlighted that small-scale agriculture in the Sahelian, Saharan, and Sudanian regions faces significant risks due to unpredictable rainfall, which affects food security. Climate change has led to issues such as disrupted rainy seasons, drought, flooding, and soil degradation, severely impacting livelihoods dependent on rain-fed farming.

To address these challenges, several African governments have implemented national policies to support small-scale agriculture. These policies include redistributing farmland to landless producers and vulnerable social groups and providing direct aid such as food and energy subsidies, tax exemptions, loans, and fertilizer subsidies.

The main argument emphasised the need for small-scale farmers to adopt more resilient agricultural practices amid extreme weather events. He recommended supporting organic farming and reducing pesticide use through participatory processes. This transition would help build healthy soil, retain water, and boost natural nutrients, making crops more adaptable to climate change.

Organic fertilisers should be made accessible to farmers through capacity-building initiatives, contributing to a reduced carbon footprint in African agricultural practices. Promoting organic agriculture not only supports soil and human health but also enhances the resilience of small-scale farmers against climate change.

In a bold move to transform land governance education in Africa, the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) and the University Gaston Berger of Saint-Louis (UGB), Senegal, to launch a Professional Degree in Land Governance. This initiative was the centrepiece of a Curriculum Review Workshop held in the picturesque coastal town of Mbour (Saly, Hôtel les FILAOS) on May 13 and 14, 2024, in partnership with the SEEN SUUF-GIZ.

The workshop drew a diverse and influential group of participants, including government officials, technical and financial partners, academics, researchers, land governance experts, and civil society members. A roundtable discussion was held on the urgent need for advanced training in land governance, highlighting the gaps and opportunities within the current educational framework.

Central to the workshop was the unveiling of the new Professional Degree in Land Governance. Consultants presented a comprehensive project outline designed to equip future leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to tackle land governance challenges effectively. Participants then broke into working groups to delve deeper into the specifics of the curriculum.

The discussions culminated in strong, actionable recommendations for implementing the Professional Degree at UGB, aimed at creating a new generation of land governance experts. Ultimately, the introduction of this Pro Degree aims to train and produce senior technicians in land management, i.e. land specialists for a post-baccalaureate course that concentrates on several areas of expertise, thus embracing the cross-disciplinary nature of land management.

By establishing this degree, NELGA and UGB are taking a significant step forward in addressing the continent’s unique land governance challenges. This initiative not only promotes academic excellence but also fosters practical solutions essential for sustainable development across Africa.

The Institute Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II (IAV) hosted the Research Forum on Land Policy on the 18^th and 19^th of April 2024 in Rabat. This event brought together land experts from across North Africa to discuss the different aspects of land governance, particularly those related to land access, natural resources management and urban planning. The objective of this Forum is to promote dialogue between academic institutions and the various stakeholders involved in land governance, to encourage political decision-makers to draw on the results of the research studies carried out, and to advocate public policies that promote inclusive and equitable land governance.

During the forum, participants engaged in discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions aimed at addressing the challenges facing North Africa’s land management and urban development. The Forum was also an opportunity to report on several studies carried out by NELGA Noth Africa, notably the one exploring the integration of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) into land governance systems in North Africa.

One of the key recommendations emphasised the need to promote sustainable urban planning to accommodate the region’s rapid urbanisation while ensuring environmental sustainability and social equity. Achieving social justice and equal access to basic services emerged as another crucial priority, highlighting the importance of ensuring that all citizens have equal opportunities and rights to essential resources.

Effective management of land and natural resources was also identified as essential for the region’s development. This includes implementing policies and practices that prevent land degradation, preserve ecosystems, and ensure equitable distribution of resources.

Furthermore, promoting community participation and partnerships based on economic and environmental goals was highlighted as a means to foster inclusive decision-making and collaborative action. Engaging local communities in the planning and management of land resources can lead to more sustainable and resilient outcomes.