ECA, Germany and World Bank to launch new network of excellence on land governance

Abstract

The United Nations Economic Commission (ECA), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the World Bank, today signed a Declaration of Intent to establish a new Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) to better secure land rights across Africa. ECA Deputy Executive-Secretary, Ms. Giovanie Biha welcomed the new agreement to establish NELGA, noting that it responds to the call by Agenda 2063 to “enhance and sustain investments in higher education, science technology and research.” She noted that the partnership is in line with ECA’s strategy to promote partnerships with development partners to generate knowledge, underpinned by robust statistics, and to enhance dissemination of findings and best practices for enhanced land policy development. Germany and the World Bank reaffirmed their support for the Land Policy Initiative in this process and appealed to other partners to help finance and ensure that NELGA can sustain itself in its mission to secure land rights for all people, especially those who are poor and marginalized.