Curricula Review

Experts have identified significant gaps in Africa’s land-related academic curricula, highlighting their limited capacity to address the continent’s unique land governance challenges. While most curricula emphasize technical skills, they often neglect critical social, cultural, political, economic, and environmental aspects necessary for effective land governance. Key topics such as customary land tenure systems, political economy, and the cultural significance of land to indigenous communities are rarely included, despite their importance for understanding and addressing land issues in Africa. Furthermore, research output is frequently constrained by inadequate resources, limited access to reliable data, and insufficient analytical capacity.

To bridge these gaps, the African Union, together with the African Land Policy Center (ALPC) and the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) have developed two essential resources:

1. African Union Guidelines for the Development of Curricula on Land Governance in Africa
These AU Guidelines on Curricula Development aim to transform land-related academic programs by integrating essential yet often overlooked social, cultural, political, and environmental dimensions. Topics such as indigenous land rights, political economy, and customary land tenure systems are given greater emphasis. The guidelines are aligned with the African Union Declaration on Land Issues and Challenges, emphasizing the development of human, financial, and technical capacities to support effective land policy formulation and implementation across Africa.

2. Toolkit for Implementing the African Union Guidelines for the Development of Curricula on Land Governance in Africa
Building on the curricula guidelines, NELGA introduced a practical toolkit designed to help academic institutions implement the revised curricula effectively. This toolkit offers a range of resources to facilitate the integration of the guidelines into educational programs, ensuring that universities and training centers can comprehensively address land governance challenges. The toolkit also provides technical and financial assistance, equipping institutions to enhance their programs and prepare students and professionals with the skills required for sustainable land governance in Africa.