Land policy in Africa: a framework to strengthen land rights, enhance productivity and secure livelihoods

Abstract

Africa’s development remains dependent on agriculture and exploitation of natural resources, yet agriculture and livestock production are largely carried out by smallholder farmers under increasing pressure of scarce land resources managed under unsecured customary land ownership. African governments are seeking to address tenure insecurities to promote sustainable rural and urban development, and to address inequalities in land ownership between different social groups. The paper is intended to provide the basis for the development of a platform document to be prepared by the workshop’s organizing partners. With this in mind, it provides an analysis of the key issues, challenges and lessons learned at different levels and based upon the outcomes of recent forums on African land issues, so as to assist the workshop in the articulation of a shared vision and rationale for the development of an Africa-wide policy framework and related guidelines.