“Land belongs to the ancestors for the unborn. It is only under the custody of those who are alive,” said His Royal Highness Drani Stephen Izakari of Uganda, capturing the essence of Africa’s enduring relationship with land.

At the 2025 Conference on Land Policy in Africa (CLPA 2025), the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) convened scholars and traditional leaders to reflect on a decade of progress in strengthening Africa’s land governance systems. The session underscored the vital role of traditional leaders in managing customary land which accounts for up to 90% of land in many African countries and in ensuring that local values, justice, and identity remain central to governance.

Discussions drew lessons from Zambia’s dual tenure system, Cameroon’s borderland governance, Ghana’s urban land challenges, and Nigeria’s initiatives to harmonize customary law. Speakers noted that while customary systems have sustained community cohesion and stewardship for generations, they continue to face challenges linked to colonial legacies, such as unclear succession, limited legal recognition, and exclusion of women and youth.

Participants emphasized the need for collaboration between governments, traditional institutions, and academia to align customary and statutory systems. Researchers were called upon to bridge indigenous knowledge and formal frameworks to promote inclusive and sustainable land management.

The message was clear: for Africa’s land governance to be just and resilient, it must embrace its traditional custodians those who have protected the land for the past, the present, and the future.

“Just land governance begins with people — and with places.” This message set the tone for the GIZ side event, “Towards Just Land Governance,” held during the 2025 Conference on Land Policy in Africa (CLPA) in Addis Ababa.

The session brought together policymakers, researchers, and practitioners from across the continent to reflect on lessons learned from over a decade of collaboration through the Global Programme on Responsible Land Policy (GPRLP) and the Strengthening Advisory Capacities for Land Governance in Africa (SLGA) programme. Discussions emphasized that inclusion, evidence, and innovation remain central to achieving equitable land systems.

Cissy Namuddu Settumba Kiyaga from the Buganda Land Board highlighted that partnerships between governments, civil society, and traditional leaders are crucial to building trust and driving meaningful change at the community level. Similarly, Michel Delor Atangane Mbang from Cameroon’s Centre pour l’Environnement et le Développement stressed the importance of cross-country learning to promote transparency and prevent land-related conflict.

Adding a broader perspective, Professor Uchendu Eugene Chigbu urged participants to move beyond the principle of “leaving no one behind” to “leaving no place behind,” underscoring the need to integrate rural areas fully into land reform and development initiatives.

These reflections echo the Berlin Land Week Declaration, which calls for secure land rights to be embedded in agricultural, environmental, and social policies to achieve justice, sustainability, and shared prosperity.

📄 Read the Berlin Land Week Declaration – https://nelga.uneca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Shaping-the-Future-of-Land-Governance-A-Global-Call-to-Action-for-Food-Security-and-Fair-Life-for-All.pdf

The Youth Initiative for Land in Africa (YILAA) Namibia Network has officially been launched, marking a milestone in empowering young Namibians to engage meaningfully in land governance and sustainable development. This initiative is dedicated to connecting youth to land and creating opportunities for their active participation in shaping Namibia’s land future.

Through collaboration with NELGA, the National Youth Council of Namibia, the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), and the FIG Young Surveyors Network of Namibia (YSN-Namibia), the initiative builds a strong foundation for inclusive and sustainable land management.

The YILAA Namibia Network aims to enhance youth access to knowledge, innovation, and participation in land-related decision-making processes. By bringing together diverse expertise and fostering collaboration, the network promotes responsible and equitable land governance ensuring that young voices are heard and valued in shaping Namibia’s development pathways.

The Fifth Regional Conference of National Land Institutions, held from 14–16 October 2025 in Freetown, Sierra Leone, marked a milestone in Africa’s journey toward inclusive and equitable land governance. The event brought together over 500 participants, including high-level government officials, traditional land chiefs, NELGA members, development partners, and civil society representatives from across the continent.

The opening session was graced by Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed JuldehJalloh, alongside Johannes Behraus, Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy to Sierra Leone, and Raphael Frerking, GIZ Country Director for Sierra Leone and Liberia. Their presence underscored the growing political and development cooperation around securing community land rights and strengthening local governance structures.

Co-organized by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, in partnership with the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) and the African Land Policy Centre(ALPC), the conference served as a platform to exchange experiences, share best practices, and identify actionable pathways for improving land and forest tenure security—particularly for women and youth.

Through NELGA, under the Strengthening Advisory Capacities for Land Governance in Africa (SLGA) program implemented by GIZ and commissioned by BMZ, Africa continues to build stronger, more equitable land systems.

The conference reaffirmed that collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based dialogue remain central to advancing community land rights and ensuring that land governance contributes to peace, inclusion, and sustainable development across Africa.

The Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS) is marking three decades of transformative work in land governance, research, and policy engagement across Africa and the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) is proud to support this journey in building one of the most influential partnerships on the continent’s land governance agenda. By combining PLAAS’s academic rigour with NELGA’s African academic institutional reach, this collaboration is laying strong foundations for more inclusive, equitable, and responsive land policies.

PLAAS serves as a special node under NELGA, particularly in designing and implementing high-impact short courses on The Political Economy of Land Governance in Africa and Climate Change and Land Governance in Africa. These courses, co-funded by the African Land Policy Centre (ALPC) and GIZ, are developed, accredited, and awarded by PLAAS at the University of the Western Cape. Since their inception in 2018, the short courses have trained over 180 land professionals to date, drawn from dozens of African countries.

The joint work is delivering impact in several ways:

• Capacity building: By equipping land professionals—including researchers, policymakers, practitioners—with conceptual, technical, and regional knowledge, the training helps fill gaps in understanding customary versus statutory land tenure, gender dimensions in land rights, and the political economy of land policies.

• Policy relevance: PLAAS-NELGA courses are more than academic exercises; they engage government officials and decision-makers, facilitating translation of research into policies and tools for land governance reform.

• Adapting to new challenges: For example, the “Climate Change and Land Governance in Africa” course pilot in April 2025 tackles intersections between climate mitigation, land tenure, and equity—an increasingly urgent set of issues. Plaas

Read more NELGA | Plaas

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.