Category: News
NELGA Publish Research Studies for Young Researchers to Tackle Land Governance Challenges in Francophone West Africa
The Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Francophone West Africa (NELGA) has launched a tremendous research opportunity for young researchers in the field of land governance in Africa. This program, led by Gaston Berger University, has funded research studies that have led to the publication of five (5) articles on land in West Africa. This initiative aims to help improve training and curricula on land governance in Africa and promote research focused on land issues. The results have made it possible to address critical issues relating to land tenures in West Africa, such as the protection of the rights of local populations in forestry in Burkina Faso, land conflicts in Mali, gender and land in Senegal, the geohistory of urban land governance in Côte d’Ivoire, and vulnerability and access to land in Diama.
The NELGA initiative is a welcome development for researchers in the field of land governance, as it provides a platform for young researchers to engage in research that contributes to the discourse on land governance in Africa. The program is designed to provide funding for research, as well as technical support and guidance to ensure that the research produced is of high quality and meets international standards.
The research studies funded by NELGA have already made significant contributions to the field of land governance in West Africa. For example, the study on the protection of the rights of local populations in forestry in Burkina Faso sheds light on the challenges local communities face in managing forest resources. The study identifies the need for greater participation of local communities in decision-making processes related to forest management, as well as the importance of recognizing and protecting the rights of local communities in forest management.
Similarly, the study on land conflicts in Mali highlights the country’s complexity of land tenure systems, particularly in the Kayes region, where descendants of former slaves and masters have competing claims to land. The study emphasizes the need for a more comprehensive approach to resolving land conflicts that consider the historical, social, and economic factors at play.
The study on gender and land in Senegal is another important contribution to the field, as it highlights the challenges faced by women in accessing and owning land, particularly in rural areas. The study identifies the need for greater efforts to promote gender equality in land governance, including recognising women’s rights to land and providing support for women to acquire and manage land.
The study on the geohistory of urban land governance in Côte d’Ivoire provides insights into the processes and factors that have contributed to urban sprawl in the city of Bouaké. The study emphasizes the importance of taking a long-term perspective on urban development and the need for effective urban planning and governance to ensure sustainable and equitable development.
Finally, the study on vulnerability and access to land at the level of the Commune of Diama identifies the factors that contribute to vulnerability and landlessness among communities in the region. The study highlights the importance of addressing structural inequalities in land governance, including the need for land tenure reforms and providing support for vulnerable communities to access and manage land.
Furthermore, the coordination of the scientific committee composed of Prof Ibrahima Diallo, Prof Amadou Kah, and Prof Samba Traores a testament to the quality and diversity of expertise involved in the initiative. This diversity of perspectives is essential in addressing the complex and multifaceted challenges faced by African countries in the field of land governance.
The research can be found here.
In conclusion, the NELGA initiative is a welcome development for young researchers in Africa’s land governance field. The program’s focus on promoting research, improving training and curricula, and building capacity is a step in the right direction towards addressing the complex challenges facing African countries in the field of land governance. The publication of the five articles on land in West Africa is a testament to the quality and relevance of the research produced under the NELGA initiative, and it is hoped that this initiative will continue to provide a platform for young researchers to engage in research that contributes to the discourse on land governance in Africa.
Registration Open: NELGA Knowledge Exchange Forum on Responsible Land Investments in Africa
The NELGA Knowledge Exchange Forum is an essential platform that brings together experts, policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders in Africa’s land governance field. Its primary objective is to facilitate sharing of information, ideas, and best practices pertinent to African land administration. With land as a limited resource that significantly affects sustainable development, it is imperative to conduct a webinar on the topic of responsible governance of land investments in Africa.
The Responsible Governance of Investment in Land (RGIL) project in Ethiopia, Laos, and Uganda, funded by GIZ, will be the focus of this edition of the NEX. The seminar aims to promote the responsible use of land resources, which can potentially result in Africa’s economic and social transformation. The webinar will identify best practices regarding “what works,” emphasising techniques for minimising negative and maximising positive outcomes and measures to ensure that land investments are transparent, inclusive, and participatory.
The importance of secure land rights has been increasingly recognised by the international community. Several international initiatives and guidelines have been implemented to improve land policy. However, responsible land governance has been challenging to implement, leading to the need for worldwide discussions. The NELGA Knowledge Exchange Forum contributes significantly to promoting sustainable land management, equitable access to land, and inclusive management of the continent’s land resources.
The webinar will address critical questions on existing principles and guidelines on responsible investments in land, how these principles/guidelines can be incorporated into relevant academic curricula development/review, and how different communities can be engaged in practising these principles.
Kindly contact us to be part of the webinar.
Find more information, click here.
NELGA Publishes Three New Good Practises to Empower Young Land Governance Researchers
The Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) is committed to furthering transparent, efficient, and equitable land governance practices across the continent. One of the ways in which we can achieve this is by supporting young academics and researchers through a variety of programmes and initiatives. Today, we are pleased to share three additional best practices that we have developed to increase the efficacy of our work in this area.
The NELGA Summer School Programme
Through our Summer School Programme, which is designed to provide them with this opportunity, young researchers will have the chance to extend their knowledge and skills in land governance and related subjects. Participants will have access to a variety of classes and seminars designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to conduct high-level research and analysis. This programme has already supported the education of hundreds of young researchers, and we look forward to continuing to assist the next generation of experts in land governance. (Link)
The Utilisation of Digital Tools in Educational Settings
Prospective young researchers must have access to the most advanced tools and technology to aid them in their academic studies in this day and age. As a result, we have established a collection of digital tools and services that can aid researchers in conducting research, analysing data, and disseminating their findings. (Link)
Assistance options for Upcoming Researchers.
At NELGA, we understand that each young researcher confronts a unique set of requirements and challenges. As a result, we offer researchers a vast array of support services to assist them in overcoming obstacles and attaining their goals. These programmes provide access to research facilities and resources, mentoring and guidance opportunities, funding opportunities, and networking events. (Link)
We are ecstatic to share these innovative best practices with our network. We sincerely hope that they will inspire many younger scholars to pursue academic and professional careers in land governance and related fields in Africa.
Africa Land Insights: Data, Policy, Tools and Best Practices List (April 2023 Edition)
Land Insights: Data, Policy, Tools, and Best Practice series identifies available strategies and tools for comprehending, addressing and resolving land-related challenges in Africa. The series compiles information on available and upcoming tools to effectively manage and regulate land resources, manage data to inform policy decisions and share best practices to improve land outcomes.
Research
The Assessment of Land Use Efficiencies of Ghanaian Cities: Case Study of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, study shows that land in Ghana cities that was either agricultural land or grassland has been converted to built-up land use/land cover, which is indeed a challenge for urban agriculture. M.S Aduah and Mantey develop guidelines to inform urban development in Ghana.
Policy Perspectives
Climate Resilience – What can we learn from Pastoral Systems in Africa’s Drylands policy brief by Saverio Krätli, Christine Lottje, Friederike Mikulcak, Wiebke Förch, and Tobias Feldt identifies lessons learned from pastoralism which smallholder farmers in drylands can learn from to address the challenge of sustainably producing food in an increasingly unpredictable climate.
Felicity Addo, Amanda Palazzo, Petr Havlík, and Ansa Heyl policy brief on Securing Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems for The Gambia recommends the co-development of resilient food and land-use systems to help bridge the gap between demand for sustainable, healthy food and attainable food supply in The Gambia.
Food Security: Strengthening Africa’s Food Systems makes its way into Foresight Africa’s top priorities for the continent in 2023
Manuals and Frameworks
The Land Degradation Surveillance Framework Field Manual is a comprehensive method for assessing soil and land health, from the field to using new and advanced data analytics by Tor-G. Vågen and Leigh Ann Winowiecki
The Compendium of best practices for housing in Africa was produced by the Build Solid Ground project to document positive stories of change in the areas of adequate and affordable housing, including basic services, land tenure and slum upgrading.
An Introductory Guide : To Responsible Land-Based Investment for Communities, Government And Investors, Achieving Responsible Land-Based Investments: A manual for communities, Incorporating Responsible Land-Based Investment Principles into Investor Policies, and Promoting and Facilitating and Regulating Responsible Land-Based Investment are diverse tools in support of land and its investments in Africa.
IFAD and FAO Technical guide on combining geospatial technology and participatory methods for securing tenure rights provides project designers and implementers orientation on combining participatory methods and geomatics technology to strengthen legitimate tenure rights in land-based investments.
Making way: developing national legal and policy frameworks for pastoral mobility handbook calls for the legal recognition and securing of pastoral mobility to safeguard and facilitate a continuous stream of economic and social benefits for pastoralists, countries, and the environment.
From the Ground Up: How Land Governance Sensitization Workshops in East Africa are Empowering Educators to Create a Better Future for the Continent
The NELGA Eastern Africa Node, in collaboration with African Land Policy Centre, GIZ and EALAN Secretariat, organized a series of workshops to popularize the Guidelines for Development of Curricula on Land Governance in Africa. The workshops were held between 22nd – 27th of March 2023 in Kampala, Kigali, and Dar es Salaam. The workshops attracted representatives of University Management, University Accreditation Boards, Professional bodies and academic units in universities offering land governance programs in the three countries. A total of 55 participants attended the three workshops.
The workshops involved the presentation of the guidelines developed by the African Land Policy Centre for implementation by universities in Africa. The Guidelines were presented at the workshops by the Coordinator of the NELGA Eastern Africa Node on behalf of the African Land Policy Centre. Engaging discussion ensued, touching on content, relevance and adoption of the guidelines in developing curricula on land governance-related programs. Participants in the three sessions acknowledged that the workshops on Guidelines were timely as most universities were either on the verge of reviewing or developing their curricula. Key comments on the content pointed to the need to further de-colonize the curricula, tailor the curricula to land governance theories suiting the African context, re-imagining housing, rethink the status of women’s land rights, particularly in the context of Eastern Africa region and use the Guidelines to develop benchmark standards for land governance academic programs in Africa.
With regard to mainstreaming the Guidelines in existing or new degree programs in land governance, participants proposed the use of different modes, including informing the curricula through developing standalone subjects, electives, seminars or topics; incorporating the themes in Universities research agenda, and reconsidering the mode of delivery of the curricula that will not overwhelm the learners.
University of Yaoundé I Launches Massive Open Online Course on Land Conflicts in Africa
Under the auspices of the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA), the University of Yaoundé I (UoYI) coordinates a network of academic institutions, civil society organisations, and researchers focused on land governance issues in Central Africa. One of the network’s mandates is to promote knowledge creation and dissemination, as well as capacity building initiatives in the field of land governance.
UoYI has created a “Massive Open Online Course” (MOOC) on the topic of land conflicts, with the goal of spreading tools to help Africans understand, prevent, and resolve land conflicts. The MOOC addresses generic concepts related to the aforementioned themes and contextualises them to Central African realities. The project was carried out with the financial assistance of GIZ and the technical assistance of the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF).
AUF oversaw the project’s overall technical implementation, drawing on the expertise of NELGA land experts from several Cameroonian universities: the University of Yaoundé I, the University of Dshang, the University of Maroua, and the University of Yaoundé II.
With the MOOC now complete, AUF, UoYI, and GIZ are planning a joint launch to encourage NELGA students and stakeholders to use the MOOC.
The goal of the launch event is to situate the MOOC within the broader context of African land conflicts, with a focus on Central Africa. It will also provide the general public with an overview of the MOOC’s content, address some technical aspects of the e-learning initiative, and announce the opening of the DAAD/NELGA call for research proposals on land and conflict for the next graduate course.
The MOOC can be found at https://conflits-fonciers.auf.org/. On March 30th, 2023, the online event will take place on MS Team.
To attend the launch, send a request through the contact us feature on the website, a DM on Twitter or a comment on Linkedin.
From NELGA Scholarship to a GIZ Advisor – Anthony’s Success Story
Working with GIZ allows me to give back to the organisation by using the skills and techniques I learned through the GIZ-assisted scholarship programme – Anthony Sarfo
One of the best things that happened to me in 2018 after finishing my undergraduate studies in Human Settlement Planning was being a part of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) In-country programme under the Strengthening Land Governance in Africa (SLGA) through the Network of Excellence in Land Governance in Africa (NELGA). The scholarship enabled me to research the contextualization of sustainable land use planning with incorporated geospatial technology tenets as input and precursor for land governance in small and intermediate urban areas.
This cumulated in a master’s degree and a position at The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ).
The NELGA Programme is adaptable and provides opportunities for professional and academic growth. A series of training and networking events were held to improve co-learning and scholar capacity in research approaches and methodologies, data collection, and science communication. I also attended a summer school at the Goethe-Universitat Frankfurt am Main Training programme on the theme of Environmental and remote sensing data analyses via geospatial technologies in research and teaching. This enhanced my capacity in geospatial technologies, academic communication, support and guidance, and higher education didactics. I was able to enrol in two additional courses: digital image acquisition and processing at the geomatic department and spatial documentation of land rights at the land economy department at KNUST.
With the skills acquired, my initial publication during the scholarship programme was on corruption in the land governance in Ghana, titled “Towards Elimination of Corruption in the Land Sector: Incorporation of Geospatial Technologies in Land Governance at the Local Level” published in the African Journal on Land Policy and Geospatial Sciences. The paper advances a course for the incorporation of technology in land management as an indispensable endeavour to eliminate the bottlenecks and contribute to the fight against corruption in the land sector. Read More Here. Two other publications from my M.Phil. studies on the conceptualization of sustainable land use planning for land governance and the assessment of unsustainable spatial development of two intermediate towns through earth observation are in press. Further skills attained enabled me to undertake consultancy works on land use planning and adjunct lecturing roles at a prestigious university in Ghana.
I seek to contribute to methodologies for effective planning practices in Ghana in the purview of sustainability, earth observation, land governance, climate change, and gender. Presently, I am with the GIZ on the Resilient Against Climate Change (REACH) Project as a Technical Advisor (GIS and Remote Sensing). The project, being implemented in the Northern part of Ghana, works towards promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth and increasing agricultural outcomes in rural communities of the Joint Programme Area (JPA). Additionally, envisage a point where planning at the community level is enhanced through participatory Community Action Plans (CAPS) and Community Land Use Plans (CLUP) in at least 200 communities in the JPA. I deem this an opportunity to use the skills and techniques acquired during my studies with GIZ assisted scholarship programme.
Call for Papers: NELGA North Africa International Forum on Land Policy and Geospatial Sciences I June 6-8, 2023
Papers are currently being accepted for the International Forum on Land Policy and Geospatial Sciences to be held in Rabat, Morocco, on 6-8 June 2023.
Papers can be submitted through the Abstract Template.
The forum allows all stakeholders in geospatial sciences, land governance, land policy, and sustainable development paradigms to share their expertise, knowledge, and experiences. All participants interested in the Forum’s themes are encouraged to register by clicking this link. Registration
If a participant has submitted a contribution in French or Arabic, an abstract in English is required. Contributions will be assigned to the axes’ topics as described below. Abstracts must be uploaded through the Submission link no later than April 1st, 2023.
Find more details on the subject areas of focus in the attached documents below. If you have a question about attending the conference, submitting abstract or other queries, kindly email nelga@iav.ac.ma / nelga.research@gmail.com.
Find the Call for Abstracts here in English and French for more details, especially thematic areas.
IWD2023 Q&A: Women’s Empowerment benefits Society, as Egypt has over 35% Female-Headed Households – Prof Heba Allah E. Khalil
- Prof. Dr Heba Allah Essam El-Din Khalil is a Professor of Sustainable Urbanism at the Department of Architectural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, with an academic and professional experience of more than 15 years. She is also the Senior Coordinator of the Architectural Engineering and Technology AET program at the Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University.
- She has pursued scientific research in various fields, including community development, participatory evaluation, informal areas development, energy efficiency strategies, sustainable urbanism, affordable housing, quality of life, strategic planning, urban metabolism, urban climate and integrated urban systems with more than 25 publications including books and journal papers.
Special Focus on Leading Voices on Women’s Land Rights in Africa
How important is it for women to lift each other, and what does that mean to you?
Within the current inequitable world, women must stick together and support each other. Whether it is promoting awareness about gender equity issues, disseminating information about relevant opportunities, providing mentorship, or building the capacity of women, supporting gender equity shapes a fundamental part of my ethos.
Why do you think equity is important for women in land rights?
Land rights symbolize issues of power within society. Hence, improving women’s access to land is vital in empowering them economically and socially. As more than 35% of households in Egypt are female-headed, this indicates the importance of women’s improved capacity as it reflects society’s overall well-being.
Do you think the field of land governance has succeeded in incorporating women, conceptually and institutionally?
Various efforts have been exerted to incorporate women in land governance issues. However, there is still a gap between the conceptual frameworks and reality that stems from prolonged and systematic exclusion. Institutionally, there is still much to be addressed and achieved, from building the capacity of women to undertake various responsibilities and represent their stakes in the decision-making processes to facilitating their infiltration into the existing institutional setups and hard-held convictions that have been long governing. Additionally, with their different land governance dynamics, much work is needed on the ground, both within urban and rural communities.
What do you hope to see in terms of progress and change in the field of land governance and women’s land right policies over the next few years?
I aspire to see more capacitated women in decision-making positions and see housing programs prioritising women’s tenure. Additionally, I hope laws protecting women’s land rights are implemented and reflected in real projects with increased resources and institutional and societal support.
What advice would you offer to young women who are interested in pursuing a career in the land/ land governance sector?
My advice for young girls and women is to study well and to profoundly understand the underlying structures that inhibit women’s access to land so that they can better devise responsive interventions. I would also advise them to pursue this career and equip themselves with the knowledge of related technological tools and software and the soft skills needed for continuous negotiations and discussions with various stakeholders. Additionally, and most importantly, I would advise them always to remember the vulnerable and underrepresented and how they are working to improve their livelihoods when faced with challenges or obstacles along their paths.
IWD2023 Q&A: Laws must protect Women’s Land Rights regardless of Status – Dr Edeme
- Dr Janet Edeme is the Head of the Rural Development Division in the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment of the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Her Division is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the African Union Agenda on Land and its challenges, Post-Harvest Loss Management, and Empowerment of Women and Youth in Agriculture.
Special Focus on Leading Voices on Women’s Land Rights in Africa
What is the importance of International Women’s Day (IWD), and what does it represent to you?
International Women’s Day reminds us of the critical role women play in our societies and their valuable contribution to Africa. If you consider the African landscape, our women contribute to the sustenance of our agriculture and food systems and achieving food and nutrition security. Women, therefore, need land as well as other productive resources for them to contribute towards the development of Africa sustainably.
When women can enjoy their land rights, they will be able to contribute to the achievement of Agenda 2063 sufficiently; more specifically, Aspiration 6 envisions an Africa whose development are people driven, relying on the potential offered by African People, especially its Women and Youth, and caring for Children. Through Aspiration 6 of Agenda 2063, we hope to achieve full Gender Equality in all spheres of life, including accessing and owning productive land.
You’ve worked in this space for a long time. What about 2022 to 2023 has surprised you the most on women’s land rights?
During the period 2022 and the early months of 2023, the world was recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic disrupted the status quo and prompted renewed thinking on managing global food supply chains.
The Russia-Ukraine Conflict, however, slowed down the post-Covid 19 pandemic recovery process, and what we have seen is an increase in agriculture production costs, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, which is heavily reliant on fertiliser, agro chemicals and raw crop inputs from the two countries that have been in conflict for close to two years now.
We, therefore, need to rethink and strategize how women can position themselves and apply sustainable agriculture practices that can enhance their productivity and leverage opportunities that the reduced importation of foods from Europe would create. We have sufficient land in Africa, but we must ensure that our women are resilient to the many external shocks, including wars, epidemics and climate change.
How can we build back a society that supports women’s land rights?
To have a society that supports women’s land rights, we need to ensure that our Member States put policies and legal frameworks in place that protect women’s land rights despite their status and whatever tenure arrangements they have land on.
There is also a need to adapt to low-cost Information Communication Technologies (ICT) and associated applications and use them for enhanced information sharing among women and other vulnerable groups. This will help increase awareness of the available opportunities women can leverage and benefit from their land rights. ICTs can further facilitate women’s increased access to registering land rights, agriculture extension, finance and technical assistance.
We also urge AU Member States to deliberately increase the quota for women’s participation in various Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) platforms both at the regional and national levels. This is key in facilitating women’s participation in planning, and decision-making and increasing their access to information to land.
What can men do to help to achieve equality for women’s land rights?
Men are involved in decision-making over land. They are also involved in land administration worldwide and can promote women’s rights to land in their daily roles as administrators of this vital resource. This includes creating a gender-inclusive business environment that limits the barriers to entry of women and women-led businesses in various sectors of the economy.
What advice would you offer to young women interested in pursuing a career in the land/ land governance sector?
Opportunities in the land sector are diverse, and you can always find a place to influence change as a surveyor, administrator, lawyer defending other women’s rights, policy maker, and planner. The opportunities are endless in the land sector!
With the increasing digitalisation of processes, we expect tech-savvy young women to innovatively develop technologies and platforms that would address the challenges that disproportionately affect women’s access to land. Working in the land sector allows you to contribute to development, specially and uniquely.