A survey of some 3,500 households in and adjacent to land tenure regularization (LTR) pilot cells was undertaken some 2.5 years after completion of the LTR pilot. The results of the survey provide evidence on the fairness and gender inclusiveness of the regularization process, households’ knowledge of the law, and initial investment impacts. A large majority of those asked perceived the process as very fair and transparent. It was, however, more thorough and inclusive in rural than in urban areas, where more than 11 percent of certificates could not be issued because of a pending conflict. Despite the short time elapsed since registration, land-attached investment (and maintenance of existing structures) is significantly higher in the treatment area compared to the control area. A high frequency of land transfers suggests an urgent need to complement LTR with mechanisms to register transactions on an ongoing basis to ensure sustainability of benefits. We can, however, reject the hypothesis that these transfers are distress sales or disproportionately involve female land holders. Introducing mechanisms to improve awareness of legal knowledge will also help achieve the full potential of the program in a sustainable manner.
Pilot Land Tenure Registration in Rwanda: Evidence of Initial Impacts
