Supra-category: Academia

Girma Mulu Alemu

I have served as a public servant as a sociologist and urban planner in local government offices from 2010-2015. Currently, I have been serving as a lecturer and researcher in higher education institutions since 2015 in Ethiopia

Jean Pierre HABIYAREMYE

I am a passionate Surveyor, optimist, self-motivated, quick learner highly accurate and detail-oriented in different consultancies activities with experience in coordinating multidisciplinary teams and ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations.

As a researcher and Professor at University, with strong work ethic, attention to detail, and problem solving abilities allow me to identify potential issues early in a project and implement effective solutions. My excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, enable me to work cooperatively with clients, colleagues, and other project stakeholders by sight, truth and transparency.

Federica Acquaviva

Currently working as UN Habitat’s Inclusive Land Governance Expert for strengthen regulatory frameworks and building digital LIS in Somalia.

Nsanzimana Julien

I have an extensive experience in urban and regional planning, GIS analysis, land use policy, spatial planning, mapping, environmental modelling, and stakeholder engagement, gained through roles in government agencies, private consultancies, and international urban development projects.

Melkam Ayalew Gebru

I am a lecturer in real property valuation at the Institute of Land Administration, Debre Markos University. I hold a BSc in Land Administration and Surveying and MSc in Real Property Valuation, both from Bahir Dar University.

I have over four years of experience as Head of the Department of Real Property Valuation and have been serving as Vice Dean of the Institute of Land Administration at Debre Markos University since September 2025. My research interests include urban studies, land use, property valuation, land value capture, real estate finance, and land and real estate economics.

I have published more than seven articles in reputable international journals (Elsevier, Emerald, and ASCE) and have extensive experience in teaching, curriculum development, academic leadership, and collaborative research. 

Sheila Alumasa

Sheila Alumasa is an experienced urban planner and development practitioner with extensive expertise in regional development, environmental planning, and sustainable urbanization. She combines strong academic grounding with hands-on experience in World Bank–funded projects, specializing in environmental and social safeguards, resettlement action planning, and informal settlement upgrading. Her work spans Kenya, the Philippines, South Africa, and Germany, with a proven record in community engagement, urban food systems, nature-based solutions, and both qualitative and quantitative research. She currently serves as a part-time lecturer at Maasai Mara University while pursuing a PhD in Development Studies (Land Administration and Urban Formality), with a strong commitment to advancing resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable cities.

 

Abdul Husaini

Permanent Secretary, Niger State Ministry of Lands & Survey; land governance and spatial planning expert with strong GIS and Earth Observation background; UN-Habitat and FAO contributor on urban-rural linkages, food systems, land-use change, and sustainable territorial development in Africa.

Dr. Abdihakim Osman

I have a PhD in Peace, Governance, and Development along with Master’s degrees in Urban Management and Disaster Resilience Leadership and Humanitarian Action. A recognized thought leader in his field, he is an active member of the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) and the Urban Affairs Association (UAA).

I have nearly two decades of multi-sectoral experience across civil society, the public sector, NGOs, and UN system. Over the last 13 years, I have held senior leadership roles pertinent to the local governance including land administrations. I was was the founding Dean of the Center for Local Governance at the Civil Service Institute and the first Head of the Local Government Institute (LGI). I have an extensive history in supporting and working on the UN flagship Joint Programme on Local Governance (JPLG) and held various positions within UN-Habitat. Currently, I am a Senior Manager of Dowlad-kaab, UN-Habitat’s largest local governance programme in the Eastern and Horn of Africa region.

I am an advocate for strengthening land governance through policy reform and technological innovation. My recent research into the Somali land market serves as the foundation for my current efforts to systematically transform market conditions and land administration in the Somali peninsula.

 

Adv. Matseliso Mota

I am a Legal practitioner with over a decade’s experience in the public sector and civil society in Lesotho. I am currently in the employ of Land Administration Authority, delivering legal and policy advisory services in land governance and administration, legislative drafting, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution and land tenure reform.

FRANCIS XAVIER TUNGBANI

I serve as a GIS specialist focused on vegetation analytics for both governmental and non-governmental organisations within the agricultural and sustainability sectors. My expertise extends to spatial analytics, where I apply rigorous methodologies to support data-driven decision-making.