Follow Us on Google
The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa, has stated that the union is ready to support member states in advancing the land-related objectives outlined in the AU agenda 2063, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the AU Land Policy Framework and Guidelines to foster an environment where land is a driver of prosperity and unity.
Nsanzabaganwa made the remark at the conference convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia recently with the theme: “Promoting Sustainable Land Governance in Africa for Accelerating Implementation of the AfCFTA”. She noted that the continent faces multifaceted land governance challenges, ranging from tenure insecurity and land tenure systems to the need for sustainable land management practices as urbanization advances rapidly and climate change continues. She urged the delegates to translate the outcomes of the conference into concrete national, regional and continental actions.
“We (African nations) must not only commit to the principles and discussions articulated here [at the conference], but also allocate resources, build partnerships and implement policies that promote sustainable land governance and support the objectives of the AfCFTA.”
Nsanzabaganwa also emphasized the need to amplify the voices of women, youth, indigenous communities, traditional institutions and smallholder farmers in shaping land governance strategies, recognizing their invaluable knowledge and expertise in managing and preserving Africa’s land resources.
“Land policies and governance mechanisms in Africa need to be aligned with the AfCFTA goals to create an enabling environment for investment, trade and economic development in the continent, she said.
Organised biennially by the African Land Policy Centre (ALPC), CLPA is a joint initiative of the AU Commission, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Development Bank, to deepen capacity for land policy in Africa through improved access to knowledge and information on land policymaking and implementation.
Development partners were asked to foster better coordination in agenda setting and dissemination, and the alignment of development partners with AU land governance strategy.
Policymakers urged the AU to prioritize land natural resources policy development and legal reforms that are people-centered, inclusive, and gender conscious, and also called for adequate financing for land and natural resources, governance processes and institutions.
