African Researchers Magazine (ISSN: 2714-2787) – premier source for latest African research, science and scholarly news

Tag: land governance

  • 2025 Conference on Land Policy in Africa (CLPA)

    2025 Conference on Land Policy in Africa (CLPA)


    Illustrative Image: 2025 Conference on Land Policy in Africa (CLPA)
    Image Source & Credit: AU
    Ownership and Usage Policy

    Background

    The 2025 Conference on Land Policy in Africa (CLPA) will take place under the theme “Land Governance, Justice, and Reparations for Africans and Descendants of People of the African Diaspora.” This theme resonates deeply with the African Union’s ongoing commitment to the pursuit of justice, reparations, and restitution for the crimes of slavery, colonialism, and their lingering consequences. These historical injustices—rooted in systemic exploitation and racial domination—continue to shape patterns of land ownership, economic inequality, and social exclusion across Africa and among people of African descent globally.

    For centuries, African land, natural resources, and human labour were expropriated to fuel the industrial and economic growth of Western powers. The transatlantic slave trade forcibly removed millions of Africans from their homelands, subjecting them to dehumanizing conditions in plantations, mines, and factories across the Americas and Europe. Enslaved Africans generated immense wealth for colonial empires but were denied fundamental human rights, including the right to own property or benefit from the land they cultivated. Acts of resistance were met with brutal repression, including torture, deportation, and executions. Women, in particular, suffered grievous violations, including sexual violence, intended to produce generations of enslaved labourers.

    These atrocities did not end with emancipation. Post-slavery systems—such as segregationist land laws, sharecropping, and racial zoning—continued to exclude people of African descent from owning and controlling land. Such structures entrenched cycles of economic and social inequality, perpetuating the trauma that originated in slavery.

    Colonialism and Its Legacies

    The colonial project extended the violence of slavery through the territorial conquest and economic exploitation of Africa. Following the Berlin Conference of 1884–1885, European powers partitioned the continent, seizing land and natural resources under the guise of “civilizing missions.” Colonial administrations imposed new land governance systems that dismantled communal tenure arrangements and dispossessed indigenous peoples. Fertile lands were appropriated for settlers and foreign corporations, while African communities were relegated to reserves or became wage labourers on lands that once belonged to them.

    The colonial system institutionalized racial hierarchies, economic dependency, and cultural alienation. It not only stripped Africans of land and livelihoods but also eroded their cultural and spiritual heritage. Sacred artefacts, regalia, and symbols of authority—such as royal stools, drums, spears, and ancestral relics—were looted and shipped to Europe, where they remain displayed in museums. These stolen artefacts generate income abroad while depriving African societies of vital cultural anchors, sources of intergenerational memory, and creative inspiration.

    The violence of colonial domination was often genocidal. The extermination of the Herero and Nama peoples in Namibia (1904–1908), during which approximately 80% of the Herero and 50% of the Nama population were killed, exemplifies this brutality. Their ancestral lands were confiscated and remain largely under the control of German descendants to this day. Across Africa, colonial powers used forced labour, concentration camps, and public executions to suppress resistance. The extraction of resources and the destruction of indigenous systems of governance left profound social, economic, and ecological scars that persist in post-colonial societies.

    Cultural, Linguistic, and Environmental Disruptions

    Colonialism did not only transform political and economic systems—it also redefined social and cultural hierarchies. European languages were institutionalized as languages of power and progress, while African languages were devalued and marginalized. This linguistic dominance disrupted indigenous education systems and undermined local knowledge—especially in agriculture, medicine, and environmental stewardship.

    Colonial agriculture privileged export-oriented cash crops and European food systems, displacing indigenous crops that sustained local communities. This imposed model of production undermined food security, biodiversity, and self-sufficiency, consequences that remain evident in Africa’s contemporary struggles with climate change and rural poverty.

    The Case for Reparations and Land Justice

    Land remains a central pillar of identity, culture, and economic empowerment in Africa. It is both a material resource and a spiritual inheritance. Yet, due to the intertwined histories of slavery and colonialism, Africans and people of African descent continue to face structural barriers to accessing and benefiting from land. Reparative justice—particularly through land redistribution, restitution, or equitable access to land—offers a pathway to redressing historical wrongs and dismantling systemic inequalities.

    Experiences from other contexts, such as post-apartheid South Africa and the Māori land restitution process in New Zealand, demonstrate that meaningful reparations are possible when backed by political will, inclusive policy design, and strong institutional frameworks. Such efforts must go beyond financial compensation to include the restoration of cultural heritage, the return of artefacts, and the recognition of historical memory.

    Addressing contemporary land inequities also requires reforming statutory frameworks that still mirror colonial land laws. In both rural and urban contexts, descendants of colonizers and elites often control vast tracts of land, while marginalized communities endure displacement, eviction, and environmental degradation. Urban gentrification and exclusionary planning policies further perpetuate dispossession among descendants of enslaved and colonized peoples.

    Core and Cross-Cutting Themes

    The 2025 CLPA will provide a multidisciplinary platform for critical reflection, policy innovation, and collective action. The discussions will revolve around the following core themes:

    • Emerging best practices in developing responsive and inclusive land policies

    • Strengthening institutions for effective, transparent land governance and administration

    • Data, monitoring, and evaluation for evidence-based decision-making in land policy

    Cross-cutting themes will include:

    • Youth and intergenerational equity

    • Gender and social inclusion

    • Climate change and ecological reparations

    • Technology and innovation in land governance

    • Reparations and restorative justice

    Proposed sub-themes will further explore:

    • Land tenure and equity

    • Climate justice, resilience, and ecological reparations

    • Colonialism, agriculture, and agri-food systems

    • Land, urbanization, settlements, and conflicts

    • Colonial displacement and reparative justice

    • Land governance, international law, and reparations

    • Land, trade, colonialism, and economic injustice

    Partnerships and Format

    The Conference is jointly organized by the African Union Commission (AUC), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the African Development Bank (AfDB), under the leadership of the African Land Policy Centre (ALPC). It will bring together policymakers, scholars, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, regional economic communities, and development partners to deliberate on the intersections of land, justice, and reparations.

    The 2025 CLPA will feature plenary sessions, parallel sessions, master classes, policy dialogues, side events, and exhibitions. A formal Call for Abstracts will guide the selection of academic and policy contributions, ensuring that discussions align with the conference theme and contribute to Africa’s broader agenda for justice, land reform, and sustainable development.

    Conclusion

    The 2025 CLPA offers an historic opportunity to confront the intertwined legacies of slavery and colonialism through a land justice lens. By re-examining questions of land governance, ownership, and reparations, the conference seeks to advance Africa’s collective agenda for restorative justice, equitable development, and the reclamation of African dignity and heritage.

    Land is not merely an economic asset—it is a foundation for sovereignty, identity, and self-determination. Addressing its dispossession is essential to achieving the vision of a just, prosperous, and united Africa.

    For more details click here

  • Empower Your Impact: NELGA Research Communication Workshop 2024 – Bridging Gaps in African Land Governance

    Empower Your Impact: NELGA Research Communication Workshop 2024 – Bridging Gaps in African Land Governance

    The NELGA Research Communication Workshop invites applications for its upcoming event designed to enhance the visibility and accessibility of NELGA’s research findings, fostering improved collaboration between research and policy in the realm of land governance in Africa.

    Workshop Objectives: The workshop, scheduled for a 3-day physical gathering between February and March 2024 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, seeks to empower participants with practical skills and strategies for effectively communicating research findings. Key objectives include:

    1. Understanding the Land Policy Development Process:
      • Explore the role of national research agendas in shaping land policy.
      • Improve comprehension of the complexities involved in the development of land policies.
    2. Research Strategy Development:
      • Equip participants with tools for stakeholder analysis, knowledge management, and effective communication.
      • Foster the development of research strategies that contribute to informed decision-making.
    3. Skills Enhancement:
      • Enhance skills in producing high-quality, evidence-based research outputs, such as policy briefs.
      • Disseminate best practices in policy brief development for wider impact.
    4. Policy Dialogue Engagement:
      • Provide insights into effective engagement with decision-makers through policy dialogues.
      • Encourage participants to actively contribute to policy dialogues in the context of land governance.

    Benefits: PROMAN, under the GIZ-SLGA program, will cover travel costs and accommodation for successful applicants. Additionally, participants will receive personalized coaching and mentorship sessions post-workshop.

    Eligibility Criteria: Prospective participants should hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent, be active members of NELGA with ongoing research projects on land governance in Africa, and demonstrate a commitment to contributing to policy dialogues and research communication in the context of land governance.

    How to Apply: Applicants are encouraged to showcase their passion and understanding of land governance and research communication through three application formats:

    1. Written Application: Submit a motivational letter (maximum 400 words).
    2. Video Introduction: Create a short video (not exceeding 3 minutes).
    3. Visual Representation: Develop a visual representation (e.g., infographic, conceptual map, or digital presentation).

    Application Guidelines: Applicants should introduce themselves, emphasizing their background in land governance and expressing why the workshop is crucial for bridging communication gaps. They should detail their experience in land governance research and policymaking, their interest in the workshop, and how they plan to apply the skills gained.

    Workshop Details:

    • Date: February-March 2024 (TBC)
    • Time: 3 Days on site
    • Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (TBC)
    • Application Deadline: January 17th, 2024, 4 pm EAT.

    Participation in this workshop promises not only to broaden horizons but also to empower individuals to make a meaningful impact in the field of land governance. Applicants are encouraged to share this opportunity within their networks. Apply by January 17th, 2024, 4 pm EAT for a chance to be part of this transformative experience.

    For More Information:

    Visit the Official Webpage of the NELGA Research Communication Workshop

  • Unlocking Sustainable Development: The Interplay of Transportation Infrastructure and Land-Use Rights in Edo State, Nigeria

    Unlocking Sustainable Development: The Interplay of Transportation Infrastructure and Land-Use Rights in Edo State, Nigeria

    A recent article by Obeten et al. (2023) titled “Using Spatiotemporal Price Formation to Assess the Relationship between Transferring Land-Use Rights and Transportation Infrastructure Expansions in Edo State, Nigeria” published in Direct Research Journal of Engineering and Information Technology by Direct Research Journals, examines how the growth of urban areas and transportation infrastructure affects land-use and land-cover patterns in Edo State, Nigeria.

    “

    There is a strong correlation between transportation infrastructure expansion and land value appreciation in Edo State, Nigeria – Obeten et al., 2023

    This article explores urbanization and land-use change. The study also explores how the growth of urban areas and transportation infrastructure affects land-use and land-cover patterns in Edo State, Nigeria. Land value is the monetary worth of a piece of land, which can be influenced by various factors, such as location, accessibility, demand, supply, and land-use rights. Land-use rights are the legal rights to use, occupy, or develop a piece of land for a specific purpose, such as residential, commercial, industrial, or agricultural. Land-use rights can be transferred from one party to another through various mechanisms, such as sale, lease, inheritance, or expropriation. The study identifies the factors influencing land-use rights transfers in the context of transportation infrastructure expansions. The authors explore the uses of land-use rights data and econometric models to analyze the determinants of land-use rights transfers, such as land size, location, accessibility, and demand. The authors evaluate the potential for sustainable development in Edo State, considering the relationship between land-use rights transfers and transportation infrastructure expansions. The study uses Land-use Land-cover (LULC) maps derived from Landsat images using Support Vector Machines (SVM) to assess the changes in land use and land-cover over time.

    Methodology

    The study employed Landsat images using Support Vector Machines (SVM), a machine learning technique. The maps show the land-use and land-cover (LULC) changes in Edo State for the years 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. The data are obtained from various sources, such as the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Edo State Ministry of Transportation, and Open Street Map. The authors obtain socio-economic data from the NBS, the Edo State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and the Edo State Ministry of Education. The authors used spatiotemporal price formation analysis and geoinformation to measure the impact of road and rail networks, bus stations, and airport locations on land values. The authors calculate the area and percentage of different LULC classes, the density and accessibility of transportation infrastructure, and the spatial correlation between LULC changes and transportation infrastructure expansions. The study explore regression models to estimate the impact of transportation infrastructure expansions on land values, controlling for other factors, and discrete choice models to identify the factors influencing land-use rights transfers, such as land characteristics, location attributes, and socio-economic variables. The authors use indicators of environmental, social, and economic sustainability, such as carbon emissions, urban sprawl, poverty reduction, and economic growth, to evaluate the sustainability assessment.

    Findings of the Study

    The authors found a strong correlation between transportation infrastructure expansion and land value appreciation in Edo State, Nigeria. The authors show that transportation infrastructure expansion has a strong correlation with land value appreciation, as well as settlement expansion and land-use change. This implies that transportation infrastructure can be used as a tool to promote urban development and economic growth, but also requires careful planning and management to avoid negative environmental and social impacts. The authors argue that land-use rights transfers are influenced by various factors, such as land availability, accessibility, demand, and profitability. Land-use rights transfers can facilitate the efficient allocation of land resources and the optimal use of land potential, but also pose challenges for land governance and regulation. In addition, the authors evaluate the potential for sustainable development in Edo State, considering the relationship between transportation infrastructure expansion and land-use rights transfers.

    Recommendations

    • The authors explore the idea that the government should coordinate the development of land-use and transportation infrastructure to optimize the benefits of both sectors.
    • The authors posit that the government should improve the transparency, accountability, and efficiency of the land administration and management system. This would involve streamlining the processes of land registration, valuation, taxation, and dispute resolution, enhancing the quality and accessibility of land information, and protecting the rights and interests of all land stakeholders.
    • The study suggests that the government should establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the impacts of land-use and transportation changes on the socio-economic and environmental aspects of Edo State. This would require collecting and analyzing relevant data on land values, land-use rights transfers, transportation infrastructure expansions, settlement patterns, and ecosystem services, using geospatial and econometric tools.
    • The study also highlights that the government should engage and consult with various stakeholders, such as landowners, developers, transport operators, civil society, and academia, in the planning and implementation of land-use and transportation policies.  In addition, the authors suggest that the government should also raise public awareness of the benefits and challenges of land-use and transportation changes and encourage responsible and efficient use of land and transport resources.

    In conclusion, the study by Obeten et al. sheds light on the intricate dynamics between transportation infrastructure expansion and land-use rights in Edo State, Nigeria. The findings underscore a significant correlation between these factors, emphasizing the potential for leveraging transportation development as a catalyst for economic growth and urban development. However, the study also highlights the need for careful planning, transparent land administration, and sustainable practices to mitigate adverse environmental and social impacts. The recommended measures, ranging from coordinated development strategies to enhanced governance and stakeholder engagement, provide a comprehensive framework for fostering sustainable development in Edo State. As we navigate the intersection of urbanization, land-use changes, and transportation evolution, thoughtful implementation of these recommendations will be crucial for realizing the full benefits while preserving the region’s ecological and societal integrity.