The Second-Level Land Certification in Ethiopia

This report provides an overview of land administration and certification efforts in Ethiopia, focusing on the Second-Level Land Certification (SLLC) program. As the most populous landlocked country in the world, Ethiopia's economy heavily relies on agriculture, making land tenure security and sustainable management crucial for livelihoods and food security.

With a significant portion of its land prone to soil degradation, climate change impacts, and increasing commercial cultivation, the pressure on land resources is mounting. The SLLC program aims to enhance tenure security and support sustainable land management practices by issuing certifications to smallholder farmers.

Supported by various international and governmental initiatives, the SLLC program has made significant strides, certifying millions of parcels and implementing the National Rural Land Administration Information System (NRLAIS) to improve data reliability and policy formulation.

However, challenges persist, including the technical complexities of certification, disparities in project performance, and demands for expanded coverage. To address these challenges and enhance program efficiency, the Ministry of Agriculture commissioned assessments of four major SLLC projects, focusing on evaluation criteria such as relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability.

The assessment also includes a SWOT analysis, examining internal and external factors influencing project outcomes, such as design and technological choices, implementation arrangements, stakeholder cooperation, and policy environments.

Overall, this report provides valuable insights into Ethiopia's efforts to strengthen land administration and certification, offering lessons and best practices to guide future strategies and ensure equitable and sustainable land management across the country.