Côte d'Ivoire's government has set an ambitious goal to secure 9 million hectares of rural land over the next 10 years. This initiative, announced by Agriculture Minister Bruno Nabagné Koné, aims to provide greater security for farmers and investors. The plan involves issuing 1.5 million land certificates and signing 1.5 million agricultural contracts. This move is part of a broader effort to improve land governance and promote sustainable development.
The initiative was unveiled during the second day of the Abidjan Land Governance Days, a conference that brought together ministers responsible for land and finance from several African countries. The event provided a platform for Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Mauritania to share their experiences in land governance. Minister Koné emphasized that the goal is not only to secure 9 million hectares but to ultimately achieve near-total security for rural land.
Côte d'Ivoire has made significant progress in recent years in securing rural land. Between 1998 and 2018, fewer than 6,000 land certificates were issued. However, over the past decade, this number has increased to around 68,000 certificates. Minister Koné attributes this acceleration to the government's efforts to simplify the process and reduce costs. Previously, obtaining a land certificate could cost between 500,000 and 600,000 CFA francs; now, it is free in 20 regions.
The government has also streamlined the process, reducing the time it takes to obtain a land certificate from nearly two years to less than six months. This change is expected to benefit small-scale farmers and producers who previously faced significant barriers to securing their land rights. By making it easier and cheaper to obtain land certificates, the government hopes to encourage more people to formalize their land holdings.
The Abidjan Land Governance Days brought together ministers from Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Mauritania to discuss common challenges related to land governance. The discussions highlighted concerns such as securing land rights, managing pressure on land resources, preventing conflicts, and improving access to land for investors. Minister Koné and his counterparts, Alain Diouf from Senegal and Mamoutou Mamadou Niang from Mauritania, shared their countries' experiences and explored ways to address these issues.
The conference provided a valuable opportunity for the three countries to learn from each other and identify best practices in land governance. By sharing their experiences and challenges, they can develop more effective strategies to promote sustainable development and improve land management. The event also underscored the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in addressing the complex issues surrounding land governance in Africa.
Côte d'Ivoire's efforts to secure rural land are part of a broader strategy to promote agricultural development and economic growth. By providing greater security for farmers and investors, the government hopes to attract more investment in the sector and improve food security. The initiative is also expected to contribute to the country's sustainable development goals, including reducing poverty and promoting environmental protection.
Key points
- Côte d'Ivoire aims to secure 9 million hectares of rural land over the next decade.
- The government plans to issue 1.5 million land certificates and sign 1.5 million agricultural contracts.
- The initiative is part of a broader effort to improve land governance and promote sustainable development in Africa.
