Land Tenure Challenges in Africa: Confronting the Land Governance Deficit

This book provides valuable insights into the historical complexity of land rights and the importance of good governance in improving tenure security in land reform programmes. It emphasizes the need for congruence between formal and informal norms,beliefs, and values and clear systems and processes to avoid corruption and unintended negative consequences.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 339 pages
Publication date: 03 January 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book makes a substantial contribution to the body of literature on land reform in diverse African contexts. While the economic evidence is indisputable that secure property rights are a prerequisite for stimulating broad-based economic growth, the governance mechanisms through which these rights are established remain less clear. This book delves into the intricate historical background of land rights, emphasizing the significance of comprehending this history in the pursuit of enhancing tenure security. By employing a combination of single-country case studies, comparative case studies, and regional comparisons, the book unequivocally establishes that effective governance is of paramount importance in enhancing the performance of land reform initiatives. Any attempts to transition towards more formal secure tenure must align with informal norms, beliefs, and values, as well as establish clear systems and processes to mitigate corruption and unintended adverse outcomes.

The book explores the historical evolution of land rights, shedding light on the complex interplay of legal, social, and economic factors that have shaped their trajectory. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing the historical context in which land reform initiatives are implemented, as it can influence their success or failure. The book also highlights the role of governance in land reform, recognizing that good governance is essential for ensuring the effective and sustainable implementation of land policies.

One of the key themes of the book is the importance of understanding the informal norms, beliefs, and values that govern land use and tenure in African societies. These informal norms and values often contradict formal legal frameworks, and their influence can be significant in determining the outcomes of land reform initiatives. The book argues that any attempts to formalize land tenure without addressing these informal norms and values will likely fail, as they may undermine the legitimacy and sustainability of land reform policies.

To address this challenge, the book proposes a comprehensive approach to land reform that incorporates both formal legal frameworks and informal social norms and values. It emphasizes the need for a multi-stakeholder approach, involving government, civil society organizations, local communities, and other stakeholders in the land reform process. The book also highlights the importance of transparency, accountability, and good governance in land reform, as these are essential for ensuring that land rights are protected and that the benefits of land reform are distributed fairly.

In conclusion, this book provides a valuable contribution to the literature on land reform in African contexts. It highlights the importance of secure property rights, effective governance, and the need to understand the informal norms and values that govern land use and tenure. By proposing a comprehensive approach to land reform that incorporates both formal legal frameworks and informal social norms and values, the book offers a roadmap for improving tenure security and promoting broad-based economic development in Africa.

Weight: 557g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030832803
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021