Land governance

For many people around the world, land is their livelihood, yet it is in short supply and a source of conflict. There is often uncertainty as to who owns it and who is permitted to use it. Around 90 per cent of Africa’s agricultural land is not officially registered. According to the PRINDEX initiative, there are one billion people who are concerned about losing their home or their land in the next five years due to a lack of secure land rights.  

At the same time, investors are buying up large swathes of land, evicting the people living there and disregarding principles of environmental protection and climate action. Women, indigenous groups and socially disadvantaged persons are bearing the brunt of these actions. 

Our objective: create security through clear rights

Legal certainty is required for land users to engage in long-term planning, investment and productive land management. It is necessary to ensure equitable access to land in this context. We assist our partners with improving their  land governance practices and creating legal certainty. We work to promote recognition of all types of land rights, particular those of a traditional nature. 

Our approach - Laws that keep pace with the times 

A comprehensive land policy is crucial when it comes to facilitating sustainable land management and long-term economic development. GIZ promotes land policy and laws that address the challenges of our times: 

• Urbanisation
• Population growth
• Migration
• Climate change
• Globalisation
• Digitalisation. 

Securing land rights 

Secure land rights are key to sustainable land management. They safeguard the livelihoods of smallholders and are important for food security. Many cultures, and indigenous communities in particular, attach a great deal of importance to land in traditional and social terms. Clear land rights guard against the arbitrary seizure of land and promote economic stability 

Peacebuilding – before conflict escalates

We help to prevent and resolve land disputes. Land governance can be abused and lead to violence, particularly when it is associated with exclusion and discrimination. Targeted approaches such as alternative conflict-resolution methods and clear legal procedures can be applied to prevent land conflict. Equitable processes create social stability.  

Empowering women

As a land owner, you enjoy greater independence and have more of a voice in decision-making processes. At practical level, we assist women with registering their land, shaping decision-making processes and fighting corruption. This not only improves their personal situation, but also strengthens the community: women with land rights make more sustainable decisions and are better placed to provide for their families. We work with local partners to reduce inequalities and promote the standing of women. 

Land governance 2.0 – efficient, digital, transparent

In many countries, plots of land are erratically apportioned or fragmented and there is no recognition of land rights. We promote efficient land governance. It provides clarity as to tenure  and usage rights, prevents conflict and promotes sustainable development. We also combat corruption with a view to creating greater security around land tenure and driving economic and social development.

We use state-of-the-art digital systems to improve land governance. These systems pool data from different sources, providing a comprehensive overview of available land. Digital technologies help to facilitate efficient land use planning and plot monitoring. This promotes transparency and aids governments and the general public with sustainable decision-making. 

Smart land use 

We support forward-looking land development through smart land-use planning. These efforts are focused on equitably managing demand for land – in harmony with nature, society and business. 

Individual plots of land are often the subject of competing interests. We bring all stakeholders together around the same table and support them in finding equitable solutions. This ensures that development is balanced, taking account of current needs while at the same time preserving land for future generations. 

Yes to investment  – but it must be equitable!

Land is being lost due to degradation (pollution, for example) and food prices are highly volatile or increasing. This is leading companies to look elsewhere to secure their food production activities – a growing number of firms are buying large plots of land in other countries.

This kind of investment can create benefits for local people, including new jobs and higher incomes. But this is dependent on the way contracts are designed. Clear guidelines and legislation should prevent people being driven from their land. For large-scale investment projects to be transparent and sustainable, they must respect the rights of local people and promote social justice.