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?

👉 Enrol today: Course: Maximising Research Impact: Driving Change and Making a Difference | atingi

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.