Addis Ababa, 10 November 2025 – As part of the sixth African Land Policy Conference, a high-level side event entitled “Developing Capacity for Land Governance: The Role and Place of Universities and a Robust, Sustainable NELGA” was held this morning in Hall 3 of the Conference Center. The event brought together vice-chancellors, ministers, representatives from international institutions, and land governance experts to discuss ways to strengthen university and institutional capacities for sustainable land management across the continent.
The event was opened by Ms. Joan Cuka Kagwanja, Coordinator of the Africa Land Policy Center and Head of Land and Agricultural Transformation at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). In her remarks, Ms. Kagwanja emphasized that this gathering is part of a decade-long initiative aimed at enhancing land governance capacities across Africa in collaboration with universities and governments. She stressed the importance of developing training programs and curricula tailored to African realities, capable of producing skilled experts and decision-makers to address social, economic, environmental, and political land-related challenges.
Dr. Janet Edeme from the African Union Commission spoke about the central role of universities in strengthening land governance. According to her, the success of African land reforms depends on robust human and institutional capacities, in line with the Declaration of African Heads of State and Government on Land Issues. The session highlighted four strategic objectives: consolidating the role of the biennial land policy conference, deepening understanding of national policies, strengthening collaboration between universities and governments, and accelerating the adoption of African Union guidelines for developing land governance curricula.
The GIZ representative emphasized the importance of a co-creation approach grounded in African realities. She highlighted achievements over the past ten years, including the development of curricula in more than 30 member states, the training of over 3,500 professionals, and support for land reforms in around ten African countries. These efforts, she noted, have strengthened local knowledge and expertise in land governance, contributing to more equitable and sustainable development.
Throughout the session, speakers stressed the need to build a true bridge between academic research and policy decisions to ensure evidence-based, inclusive land governance capable of supporting the African Union’s Agenda 2063 goals: inclusive growth, shared prosperity, and peaceful coexistence. Discussions also highlighted the role of the Network of Excellence in Land Governance in Africa (NELGA), which has helped anchor research and training in the real needs of member states. In closing the side event, participants were encouraged to continue the dialogue, strengthen partnerships between governments and universities, and scale up existing initiatives so that land becomes a true driver of justice, prosperity, and resilience for Africa.
By Kilalopress