Originally published on GIZ Akzente International

Secure land rights are a foundation for peace, development, and sustainable growth. Across Africa, unclear land ownership and weak governance systems often limit investment and fuel disputes. To address these challenges, the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) – an initiative of the African Union supported by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) – is working to strengthen education, research, and policy dialogue on land governance.

NELGA brings together more than 70 universities and research institutions across the continent. It focuses on four core objectives: improving land governance education and training, promoting networking among African experts, supporting evidence-based policy research, and strengthening data-driven reforms.

The impact is already visible. 29 study programmes have been updated in 23 countries, and NELGA experts are influencing policy reforms in Ghana, Namibia, Chad, and Senegal, among others. Through its collaboration with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), over 160 scholarships have been awarded to African scholars, empowering young professionals like Frieda Nangolo from Namibia, whose NELGA-supported studies opened new career opportunities in land and spatial sciences.

By connecting research with policy and practice, NELGA is helping shape Africa’s journey toward fairer, more secure land rights – a key step toward achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision: “The Africa We Want.”

Read the full article on Africa’s path to fairer land rights | GIZ

The Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS) is celebrating 30 years of transformative research, training, and policy engagement in land governance across Africa. Established in 1995 at the University of the Western Cape, PLAAS has become a leading voice in advancing understanding on land, agriculture, and natural resource management — with a focus on equity, inclusion, and sustainable development.

In collaboration with GIZ–Strengthening Advisory Capacities for Land Governance in Africa (SLGA) and the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA), PLAAS hosted a five-day event that brings together researchers, policymakers, civil society representatives, and development partners to reflect on its three-decade journey and chart the way forward for land governance in Africa.

A central highlight of the celebration was the impact of NELGA short course the “Political Economy of Land Governance in Africa and Master Class” on “Climate Change, Pastoralism, and Agro-Pastoral Conflicts in Africa”, which explores how environmental shifts, resource scarcity, and pastoral mobility intersect to shape conflict and cooperation across the continent. The session provided a platform for participants to exchange knowledge, share policy experiences, and propose actionable solutions to strengthen resilience in vulnerable communities.

The event also featured networking opportunities, a field visit connecting academia with practitioners, and the launch of the NELGA–PLAAS Alumni Network, fostering continued collaboration among African land governance experts.

As PLAAS marks this milestone, NELGA and GIZ–SLGA reaffirm their commitment to supporting knowledge exchange and capacity development that empower African institutions and professionals to drive just, inclusive, and sustainable land governance.

The Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA), hosted a two-day Multistakeholder Dialogue in Monrovia, Liberia, from 24–25 September 2025.

The dialogue brought together key actors from government institutions, universities, the private sector, civil society, and development partners to address the persistent gap between university training and the needs of the labor market in Liberia’s land sector.

Discussions focused on aligning education and professional practice, strengthening collaboration between academia and employers, and fostering entrepreneurship as an alternative pathway for young professionals. Participants also explored opportunities within the West African region to promote career mobility and capacity development in land governance.

The event built on findings from a NELGA-commissioned study assessing graduate employability in the land sector. The study revealed that while Liberia’s universities are producing qualified graduates, many face challenges in securing relevant employment due to limited practical exposure and industry experience.

Over the two days, stakeholders developed a set of recommendations and an actionable roadmap aimed at improving graduate integration into the labor market and enhancing institutional collaboration for better land governance outcomes.

The dialogue reaffirmed NELGA’s commitment to advancing Africa’s land governance agenda through education, research, and policy dialogue that respond directly to national and regional needs.

On 25 September 2025, partners came together to celebrate the official launch of two complementary resources: the Teaching Essentials for Responsible Land Administration (TERLA) Book and Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). Together, they mark an important milestone in advancing education and training for responsible land administration across Africa and beyond.

The TERLA Book was developed by the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) in collaboration with the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA), the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG), the Namibian University of Science and Technology (NUST), the University of East London (UEL), and other academic and professional partners. It provides a structured framework for teaching responsible land administration and serves as a reference for educators, practitioners, and policymakers worldwide.

Building on this foundation, the TERLA MOOC was developed under the Strengthening Advisory Capacities for Land Governance in Africa (SLGA) Programme, through NELGA, in collaboration with the GLTN,FIG,NUST,UEL and developed by AKRYLY Digital Solutions. The course transforms the first chapter of the book’s content into an interactive, self-paced web-based training, designed to make land governance education more accessible. Offered in English and French through the Atingi platform, the MOOC opens the door for students, policymakers, and practitioners from diverse backgrounds to engage with the core values and principles of responsible land administration.

The launch brought together more than 65 participants, including young professionals, experts, and partners. Contributions from universities and research institutions have been key in shaping TERLA, ensuring that students and practitioners are equipped with practical tools and knowledge to address Africa’s complex land administration challenges.

A key takeaway from the event, highlighted by Dr. Agnes Mwasumbi, was the importance of popularizing TERLA Book and MOOC. She reaffirmed NELGA East Africa’s commitment to promoting the resources through workshops, events, and academic networks.

Innocent Antoine Houedji, the Executive Director and Founder of YILAA (Youth Initiative for Land in Africa), also underlined the value of the MOOC as a learning resource and expressed YILAA’s interest in promoting it further by linking it to their own e-learning platform.

Here you can access both TERLA Book and MOOC resources:

• TERLA Book
• TERLA MOOC (English Version)
• TERLA MOOC (French Version)

The foundation of a nation’s prosperity and stability is inextricably linked to how it governs its land. Secure land rights are the bedrock of sustainable development, underpinning everything from private sector investment and urban planning to social equity and climate resilience. Without clear, enforceable tenure, economic growth remains fragile and development inequitable.

This foundational principle was the central theme at the GIZ’s Strengthening Advisory Capacity for Land Governance in Africa (SLGA) Closing workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 5-6 August 2025. Titled “A Decade to Celebrate: Advancing land governance for Africa’s future,” the event convened 130 experts to celebrate the achievements of the SLGA programme. More importantly, it served as a moment to collectively chart a new course for the future, reaffirming that progress for the continent depends on robust and fair land governance.

Why Secure Land Rights Matter for Development

For citizens, businesses and governments, secure land tenure is a catalyst for broad-based progress. A keynote presentation by the Thea Hillhorst from the World Bank detailed how documenting and formalising land rights unleashes profound benefits:

• Spurring Investment and Economic Growth: Secure land is required for investments. When rights are clear, individuals and businesses can focus on productive activities instead of spending resources to protect their property. This security fosters entrepreneurship allows land to be used as collateral to access credit , and attracts the skills and capital needed for economic diversification.
• Building Sustainable Cities: With urban areas in Africa growing rapidly, tenure insecurity produces unplanned urban sprawl and slows down infrastructure development. Documented rights are critical for sustainable urban development, financing housing, and creating the informational basis for property taxes that fund local services.
• Enhancing Climate Resilience and Reducing Conflict: As climate change increases pressure on resources, clear rights to land—including common lands and migration routes—are essential for resilience. Clearly defined rights can help prevent and mitigate the land-related violent conflicts that are rising in many parts of the continent.
• Empowering Women and Marginalized Groups: Documented rights are a powerful tool for social empowerment, allowing for the legal enforcement of women’s rights to land.

The Challenge: A Continent of Insecure Tenure

Despite the clear benefits, Africa lags in formalising land rights and digitising its land institutions. The outreach of formal institutions is often limited, with title coverage in many rural areas being negligible. Land administration services are often inefficient, with high registration costs creating a bias towards the wealthy and a persistent gender bias where men hold the vast majority of exclusive land ownership titles.

While traditional and customary institutions continue to fill this gap, legislation recognizing their role is often not fully operationalized. This lack of clarity creates uncertainty that undermines investment and can exacerbate conflict.

A New Chapter: Leveraging a Decade of Progress

The SLGA programme and its flagship initiative, the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA), were created to address these very challenges. Over the past decade, NELGA has built a powerful ecosystem for change, establishing a network of over 70 universities and research institutions , developing 30 curricula , and training 3,500 African land experts.

The SLGA Closing Workshop marked the beginning of a new chapter. With the conclusion of core funding from GIZ, the focus has shifted towards long-term sustainability driven by African institutions. The path forward is centered on key strategies:

• Reducing Donor Dependency: The network is actively exploring new funding mechanisms, including membership contributions, government partnerships, and establishing a consultancy consortium to ensure its long-term financial health.
• Strengthening the Network: A key lesson learned is that collaboration and networking allow for the sharing of experience and resources at a lower cost. The future strategy involves strengthening the autonomy of NELGA’s regional nodes to better tackle local specificities and anchoring the network’s secretariat within the African Union system to enhance ownership and sustainability.
• Empowering the Next Generation: A highlight of the event was the launch of the NELGA Alumni Network. This initiative is a strategic step to create a dynamic, pan-African community of professionals to encourage knowledge exchange and drive collaborative, data-driven solutions for the continent’s land challenges.

Ultimately, the workshop affirmed that land governance is not a niche technical issue, but a prerequisite for the continent’s stability and prosperity. As NELGA enters its next phase—driven by its members, partners, and alumni—the collective commitment to building transparent, equitable, and efficient land institutions holds the key to unlocking a resilient and prosperous future for Africa.

August 14, 2025

The SLGA Closing Workshop marked an incredible milestone, bringing together land experts, policymakers, academics, and partners from across Africa to reflect on a decade of progress and chart the future of land governance.

This was more than a celebration of achievements — it was a showcase of impact. Young researchers shared how SLGA shaped their careers. “SLGA changed my life,” says Dr. Diane Tapimali from Cameroon. “It gave me the skills and confidence to engage in land policy.” Ndeye Aminatou Thiam from Senegal adds, “The support helped me grow professionally and speak up as a young woman in land governance.” For Ntokozo Fortunate in South Africa, SLGA “turned my passion into a career and connected me to a continental network.” These stories highlight how SLGA’s support through the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) goes beyond data — it transforms lives.

The workshop also celebrated institutional growth, launched the NELGA alumni network, unveiled the NELGA expert database, and brought together stakeholders to shape the future of African land governance.

Dr. Andreas Schaumayer, Dr. Joan Kagwanja, and Prof. Herbert Robinson reflected on the programme’s successes and challenges, calling on partners to “amplify what we have achieved.”

As SLGA closes its chapter in February 2026, NELGA begins a new journey — building on a decade of learning, partnerships, and impact to strengthen land governance across the continent.

July 25, 2025

In Ghana, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, together with the Lands Commission, the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands, and the Land Sector Multi-Stakeholder Platform for Inclusive Land Governance (LSMSP) are spearheading the review of Ghana’s National Land Policy from 1999. With support from the government, NELGA, Landesa and COLANDEF, a first engagement meeting with the National House of Chiefs took place in Kumasi on 14th of July.

Since about 80% of land in Ghana is under customary tenure, chiefs play a crucial role in sustainable and inclusive land governance. The engagement meeting brought together the Standing Committee of the National House of Chiefs to ensure their voices are reflected in the review process. Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, the President of the National House of Chiefs urged the Government to prioritise engagement with traditional leaders in the allocation of land for the exploitation of natural resources and to plug the gaps in the land laws of the country. He recognised the engagement of the House on the National Land Policy as a step in the right direction. Dr. Wordsworth Odame Larbi stressed that a comprehensive review of the land policy is impossible without the full participation of traditional custodians.

By joining forces with the Ghanaian government, NELGA supports the development of a land policy that addresses today’s challenges — from climate change to women’s and youth land access — while safeguarding community rights and promoting sustainable development.

The NELGA Alumni Workshop, held from July 7–11, 2025, brought together alumni, experts, and partners to advance a shared vision for improved land governance across Africa. Over the course of five days, participants worked collaboratively to define the role of the alumni network as a driver of knowledge exchange, policy influence, and professional growth in the sector.

The workshop delivered outcomes that will shape the future of the NELGA Alumni Network. Participants co-created a clear roadmap for alumni engagement, outlining concrete actions to enhance collaboration, mentorship, and regional fundraising initiatives. Regional alumni representatives shared practical strategies for sustaining networks and demonstrated how alumni can collectively influence land policy debates and reforms.

In parallel, hands-on training equipped alumni with skills critical to their roles as leaders and advocates in land governance. Sessions focused on effective leadership, strategic communication, advocacy, and alumni network management, leaving participants with actionable tools to strengthen their professional and organizational impact.

The exchange of best practices among alumni and youth-led initiatives showcased the innovative work already happening across the continent, inspiring others to replicate and adapt successful approaches in their own contexts. Alumni also explored pathways to contribute more effectively to applied research and to mentor the next generation of land professionals.

By the close of the workshop, alumni left empowered with a stronger collective identity, a concrete action plan, and enhanced capacities to drive meaningful change in land governance systems throughout Africa.

From July 9–11, 2025, IGAD hosted a Regional Dialogue with Women Parliamentarians and Duty Bearers on Gender, Land and Climate Resilience in Nairobi, Kenya.

This event brings together women parliamentarians, duty bearers, policymakers, and development partners from across IGAD Member States to tackle the interconnected challenges of gender inequality, insecure land rights, and climate vulnerability.

The dialogue builds on national consultations previously held in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda. These consultations highlighted critical gaps in women’s access to land, their role in decision-making, and the disproportionate impacts of climate change on women and rural communities.

Through the support of Strengthening Advisory Capacities for Land Governance in Africa (SLGA) program, IGAD was able to support these national and regional dialogues by providing technical expertise, fostering inclusive policy discussions, and promoting regional collaboration.

At the Nairobi meeting, participants are sharing lessons, identifying priority reforms, and generating actionable recommendations to strengthen gender-responsive land governance and climate adaptation. The outcomes will inform IGAD’s regional policy frameworks and Member States’ efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly on gender equality, climate action, and sustainable land management.

SLGA has championed efforts to strengthen land administration, support inclusive land governance, and enhance community resilience—particularly for women and vulnerable groups. The Nairobi Dialogue is part of IGAD’s and SLGA ongoing initiative to align regional strategies, foster political will, and catalyse transformative actions that secure equitable land rights and sustainable climate responses.

The Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) has reached another milestone in advancing land governance knowledge: over 180 of its publications are now accessible through the Land Portal’s open-access library.

These publications — including policy briefs, manuals, good practice reports, and in-depth research studies — represent years of collaboration between African universities, research institutions, and development partners. Together, they reflect NELGA’s mission to build evidence-based capacity for improved land policies and practices across the continent.

Since its launch, NELGA has worked to strengthen Africa’s human and institutional capacities for land governance, supporting training, research, data generation, and policy dialogue. This work has been made possible through the cooperation of the African Land Policy Centre (ALPC), African Union, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development BMZ, the World Bank, and other partners, implemented with the support of GIZ’s SLGA program.

As the SLGA program nears its close in early 2026, preserving and sharing the knowledge generated by NELGA is more important than ever. The integration of these publications into the Land Portal ensures that policymakers, scholars, practitioners, and advocates continue to benefit from open, long-term access to this critical knowledge.

Explore the full NELGA collection on the Land Portal Safeguarding knowledge: Over 180 NELGA publications now accessible via the Land Portal | Land Portal