Land Tenure Challenges in Africa: Current and Emerging Issues

Abstract

This chapter brings together the different insights on the complexity of land governance in Africa discussed in this volume. We highlight the major land governance challenges and the consequences of weak and ineffective land governance systems. One of the common issues raised in all the chapters in this volume is that serious land tenure challenges occur in contexts where land governance systems are weak and ineffective. The analysis presented in this chapter shows that land tenure relations have continued to be a major land policy issue across Africa. We argue that when land governance processes are dominated by rent-seeking, corruption, and lack of accountability and transparency, it is often the poorest citizens who are worst affected by the uncertainties surrounding their only asset and source of livelihood—land. We also show that when land tenure relations are not managed effectively and fairly, tensions, conflict, and sometimes war, ensue. The chapter highlights the point that land tenure relations in Africa are complex, partly because they are embedded in what has been referred to as the “web of interests” and overlapping relations. The discussion in this chapter confirms that African countries have not yet found a formula to address land tenure relations in a way that leads to fair and equitable distribution of land. We argue that when land is governed efficiently, it can make significant contribution to reducing poverty, inequality, and economic exclusion.