As part of its efforts to promote secure land tenure in Africa, three Programmes of German Development Cooperation joined hands and brought together 120 land experts from 17 countries to discuss Responsible Land Governance Systems in Somone, Senegal on 7-11 October 2024. This was the second such workshop after the Knowledge Exchange Workshop in June 2022 in Uganda, entitled "Secure Land Rights – Learning, Collaboration and Practice", and was intended to deepen exchanges as well as share lessons learned.

December 3, 2024 — At the Land Portal, we are committed to advancing the accessibility and long-term sustainability of knowledge on land governance. The World Bank Land Conference is one of the premier venues for knowledge exchange on land, and we were thrilled when the organizers requested our support in making the 2024 conference session materials available to the public in our Land Library, which now hosts over 73,000 publications on land governance. 

We are excited to announce the launch of the Open Data Champions Initiative, an effort to celebrate and elevate leaders worldwide who champion open data in the land sector. This initiative shines a spotlight on the incredible individuals dedicated to advancing data transparency and access, especially within the Global South. These champions are at the forefront of transformative change, harnessing the power of data to address critical land governance challenges.

The project "Responsible Land Policy" (ProPFR) in Cameroon is being implemented since January 2023 and contributes to strengthening land use rights in the Centre Region of Cameroon (primarily in the municipalities of Nanga-Eboko and Yoko), safeguarding the livelihoods of the rural population and simultaneously promoting the protection and restoration of forest-rich landscapes. This article provides an overview of the progress of the project and its impact.