Empowering Botswana’s Land Management with NELGA’s Support!

The Ministry of Lands and Water Affairs (MLWA) of Botswana, supported by the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), has made significant progress in developing a comprehensive Land Management Strategy (LMS). Between March 17 and May 30, 2024, the ministry conducted a series of stakeholder engagement workshops nationwide to gather insights and foster collaboration.

These workshops, part of the ‘Strengthening Advisory Capacities for Land Governance in Africa (SLGA)’ program, aimed to create an inclusive platform for engaging multiple stakeholders on the National Land Management Strategy. Key objectives included introducing stakeholders to the draft LMS, gathering feedback, and conducting an initial assessment of land management processes in Botswana.

NELGA played a crucial role in facilitating these engagements, leveraging its expertise to ensure a thorough understanding of the needs and challenges faced by different stakeholders. Participants included government officials, local authorities, community leaders, and representatives from various sectors, ensuring a comprehensive approach to developing an effective LMS.

Highlights from these workshops included presentations by key figures such as Dr. Wordsworth Odame Larbi and Mr. Loyd Sungirirai, as well as active participation from local community leaders. These discussions highlighted the importance of collaborative approaches to land governance.

As development of the LMS continues, insights and feedback from these engagements will help shape a strategy that promotes sustainable and equitable land management in Botswana.