Advancing Land Management Skills: NELGA’s Workshop in Kaolack-Senegal

In an exciting initiative to bolster land governance, Kaolack in Senegal, became the epicentre of a training workshop from May 30-31, 2024. This event, spearheaded by the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa NELGA and partnered with SEEN SUUF (GIZ), aimed to equip local elected officials and land management professionals with essential skills for sustainable development.

Professor Ibrahima Diallo emphasized the urgency of addressing land conflicts in Africa. “Since 2018, our centre has been tackling the rising land disputes that alarm both communities and governments. Effective land management is pivotal for Africa’s development. Training is a crucial part of the solution. With Senegal’s population expected to soar from 18 million to 35 million by 2050, we must prepare for the future now,” he remarked.

The Kaolack workshop featured hands-on exercises in national domain management, practical insights into the Senegalese intercommunity, and valuable exchanges of experiences and tools among practitioners. Mamour Dramé, the coordinator of the SEEN SUUF project in Kaolack, highlighted the strategic selection of local officials for this training, given their vital role in resolving land disputes, especially with the implementation of Act 3 of decentralisation.

This initiative underscores NELGA’s commitment to fostering transformational land governance and ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for West Africa.