Land experts set to discuss sustainable governance at African summit
Organizers hope this year's gathering will further advance discussion and action around sustainable and inclusive land governance across the continent.
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia- Top land policymakers and experts from across Africa will convene in Ethiopia later this month for a conference aimed at promoting sustainable land governance on the continent, writes Baboloki Semele.
"Land, as a finite and indispensable resource, plays a pivotal role in agricultural productivity, industrial development, and overall economic growth," said a statement from the African Union Commission, one of the conference organisers along with the African Development Bank and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
The Fifth Conference on Land Policy in Africa is scheduled to take place from Nov. 21–24 under the theme "Promoting Sustainable Land Governance in Africa for Accelerated Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area."
According to Didier Acouetey, an official with the U.N. Economic Commission for Africa, "The theme underscores the critical interplay between land governance and the success of the AfCFTA—a historic trade agreement aimed at boosting intra-Africa trade and economic integration."
The conference is designed to generate policy recommendations and frameworks for sustainable land governance aligned with the goals of the AfCFTA.
Participants will also highlight challenges and opportunities and showcase best practices from across the continent.
The conference further aligns with the goals of the Malabo Declaration, a commitment made by African leaders in 2014 to harness agriculture for economic transformation.
Progress towards the Malabo Declaration's goals is reviewed every two years.
The conference provides a platform for dialogue between policymakers, experts, civil society, farmers’ groups, and the private sector.
This dialogue is seen as essential for generating innovative solutions to the land governance challenges facing many African nations.
It will also showcase successful land governance initiatives from various countries, offering valuable lessons that can be replicated or adapted elsewhere. Special attention will be paid to examining the complexities of land governance and ensuring youth, women, and marginalised groups have equitable access to land.
Previous conferences on land policy in Africa have been held in 2014, 2017, 2019, and 2021. Participation has grown from 342 attendees at the first conference to over 550 at the third conference.
Organizers hope this year's gathering will further advance discussion and action around sustainable and inclusive land governance across the continent.