Enhancing the Role of Civil Society Platform in Africa: Land Policy Implementation in Africa

The session explored the significant contributions of the Civil Society Platform (CSP) in promoting effective land policy implementation across Africa. The forum began with an overview of the CSP’s achievements, presented by the Chair, highlighting the platform’s role in advocating for inclusive and transparent land governance. The discussion centered on the experiences of various African countries in implementing the African Union's Land Policy Framework, based on recent evaluations conducted by CSP members. These evaluations underscored the importance of involving civil society in shaping land policies, ensuring they reflect the needs and realities of local communities. Voices from the grassroots were a central focus, with testimonies from Indigenous groups, pastoralists, and rural women illustrating the tangible impacts of land policy on their livelihoods. The session emphasized the challenges and successes encountered at the community level, highlighting the pivotal role of civil society in amplifying marginalized voices and holding governments accountable to their commitments. Experiences shared by pastoralist communities underscored the need for policies that consider traditional land use practices, while rural women's narratives emphasized the critical importance of secure land tenure for achieving gender equity and economic stability. The forum concluded with a call for enhanced collaboration between civil society, governments, and regional institutions, underscoring that effective land policy implementation requires a participatory approach that respects local knowledge and prioritizes social justice. The CSP's efforts were portrayed as a catalyst for greater accountability and inclusivity in African land governance, aiming to create a more equitable and sustainable future for all.


This resource has been made available by the organizers of the World Bank Land Conference under the following disclaimer.