The recently concluded National Validation Workshop on Land Governance in Ethiopia, held from December 16–18, 2024, marked a step toward advancing sustainable land management and governance frameworks. Organised by the IGAD Land Governance Unit in collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture and NELGA, the workshop brought together key stakeholders from federal ministries, regional land bureaus, academia, civil society, and development partners.

The workshop focused on reviewing policy-oriented research reports and eight policy briefs addressing critical land governance issues. Participants provided substantive feedback on challenges such as institutional coordination, legal reforms, and the integration of climate resilience, gender equity, and human rights into land governance policies.

A significant outcome was the reaffirmation of the importance of aligning Ethiopia’s land reforms with the African Union Declaration on Land and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. NELGA’s instrumental role in supporting this alignment was highlighted, particularly in bridging research and policy to ensure informed decision-making processes.

Discussions emphasised the role of digital solutions in enhancing transparency and efficiency, particularly in urbanization and land use planning. Community participation was identified as a cornerstone for equitable and effective land governance reforms.

SLGA/NELGA contributions to fostering collaboration between academia and policymakers, advancing land governance research, and promoting sustainable development in Ethiopia and the wider IGAD region showcased.

Africa is home to the world’s youngest population, with youth defined by the African Union’s Youth Charter as individuals aged between 15 and 35. The continent’s youth demographic is rapidly growing, with young people aged 15 to 29 accounting for over 40% of the adult population in 2019. Each year, more than 10 million young Africans enter the workforce, yet only 3.7 million jobs are created annually. This mismatch underscores the urgent need to empower youth, women, and vulnerable groups to secure a sustainable and prosperous future.

Despite this, 60% of Africa’s youth remain unemployed. Universities struggle to equip graduates with the skills industries require, resulting in a gap between education and employability. To address this, the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) prioritizes strengthening human and institutional capacities to advance the African Union’s Agenda on Land. Partnering with universities across the continent, NELGA has focused on bridging the gap between youth employment and land-related education. This effort aims to ensure graduates from NELGA universities can secure suitable employment in public and private sectors, NGOs, and international organizations.

The Career Talk: Insights for Land Graduates

In a bid to tackle youth unemployment and improve land-sector employability, a career talk was organized in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This event brought together students and job seekers, offering valuable advice from Dr. Tchigankong Désiré and sparking discussions on actionable recommendations for universities and decision-makers.

The Moroccan Association of Researchers in Geomatics and Land Governance (AMC-GOF) officially has been launched through an event centered on addressing the growing challenge of agricultural land urbanization in Morocco. With the support of Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa NELGA, the gathering, brought together experts and stakeholders on November 28, 2024, to examine this critical issue from legislative, technological, and socio-economic perspectives.

The aim was to evaluate the existing legislative and regulatory frameworks governing land conversion amidst rapid urbanization trends. Discussions emphasized on the potential of advanced technologies, such as geomatics and artificial intelligence, in enhancing integrated land management and territorial planning. Another central focus was analyzing the socio-economic and environmental implications of converting agricultural land into urban areas, a trend with long-term consequences for Morocco’s development.

The workshop concluded with several key findings and recommendations. Participants stressed the need for legislative reforms to clarify and update laws related to agricultural land conversion, ensuring robust regulation to address uncontrolled urbanization. Additionally, the integration of geomatics and artificial intelligence was identified as a priority to optimize land use and support proactive planning strategies. The importance of involving local communities, particularly farmers, in decision-making processes was also highlighted, emphasizing the value of participatory governance. Furthermore, the need for public awareness campaigns to educate stakeholders about the risks of unplanned urbanization and best practices in land management was underscored.

Partnership agreements between AMC-GOF and two organizations—the Special School of Geomatics and Topography and the Association of Geomatics, Archaeology, and Heritage was a big milestone. These collaborations are expected to strengthen AMC-GOF’s initiatives in promoting innovative solutions and research initiatives for sustainable land governance.

In Tunis, a workshop organised by NELGA in partnership with GIZ brought together experts, educators, and policymakers to address youth employment challenges in the land governance sector. The event emphasized the integration of young graduates into the workforce and showcased innovative strategies from Morocco and Cameroon.

Discussions highlighted Tunisia’s need to bridge the gap between academic training and labor market demands. With graduate unemployment at 23.7% in 2023, participants proposed aligning curricula with real-world needs through collaborative program revisions, mentorship initiatives, and practical skill-building workshops.

Best practices shared included Cameroon’s integration of young professionals into land administration roles through specialized training and one-stop shops for land services. Morocco’s AMC-GOF initiative focuses on continuous training and partnerships to prepare graduates for the job market.

Key recommendations from the workshop included introducing co-diplomas such as a NELGA Master’s degree in land governance, promoting entrepreneurial access to state-owned land, and fostering soft skills through student clubs and alumni networks.

The workshop underscored the urgent need for dynamic education reforms to create a more inclusive and competitive land governance sector. By fostering youth engagement and aligning education with market demands, stakeholders aim to empower the next generation of professionals in Tunisia and beyond.

The event is a significant step towards addressing skills gaps and ensuring that young talent plays a central role in advancing sustainable land governance practices.

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.

The Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) is excited to announce the launch of its new online “Course: Maximising Research Impact: Driving Change and Making a Difference | atingi

” This 60-minute, self-paced course is designed for researchers, young professionals, and students interested in improving their research communication skills and increasing their research impact.

This course provides participants with the tools and techniques needed to effectively communicate their research findings to various audiences, including policymakers, civil society organizations, and the general public. Through this course, participants will learn how to map their target audience, engage with them effectively, and use digital platforms and social media to disseminate their research. The course also covers critical skills such as writing policy briefs, creating compelling content for social media, and using storytelling techniques to make research more relatable and impactful.

The course is ideal for land governance researchers who want to increase the visibility and influence of their work, young professionals who wish to build strong communication skills, and undergraduate students looking to enhance their academic and professional profiles. Whether you’re aiming to influence policy or simply share your research with a wider audience, this course will help you craft a compelling narrative and present your findings in an engaging and effective way.

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate, recognizing their newfound skills in research communication. The course is available in both English and French, and participants can take it at their own pace.

Ready to enhance your research impact?

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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