In a significant development for women's empowerment and food security in Burkina Faso, the commune of Bama has taken a major step forward in securing land rights for its female residents. On September 28, 2026, a ceremony was held at the Bama town hall to officially hand over land ownership certificates to nearly 34 women. This initiative, led by a consortium of organizations under the National Observatory of Land in Burkina Faso (ONF-BF), aims to promote women's autonomy and secure rural land.
The project, funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is part of a broader effort to strengthen land governance for food security in Burkina Faso. The ONF-BF, in collaboration with NGOs Nitidae and OXFAM-BF, has been working to provide land ownership certificates to women in rural areas. The certificates, known as Attestations de possession foncière rurale (APFR), provide women with official recognition of their land ownership, protecting them from land spoliation and opening up new economic opportunities.
The ceremony was attended by the President of the Special Delegation of Bama commune, who represented the Dutch ambassador to Burkina Faso, Félix Baye. Also present were the Executive Secretary of ONF-BF, Issifou Ganou, and representatives of partner organizations. The President of the Special Delegation expressed his satisfaction with the initiative, highlighting the challenges women face in accessing land and the importance of securing land rights for their economic empowerment.
Bama commune, known for its agricultural potential, has been facing increasing land speculation in recent years. The President of the Special Delegation warned against the anarchic sale of land, which has led to a reduction in arable land and threatened food security. He called on landowners and customary chiefs to preserve agricultural land and facilitate the securitization of land plots allocated to women.
For the Executive Secretary of ONF-BF, Issifou Ganou, the handover of land ownership certificates to 34 women in Bama is a significant achievement. He thanked the Dutch embassy and RVO for their support, highlighting the importance of the certificates in providing women with access to credit and economic opportunities. The certificates can be used as collateral for loans from banks, savings associations, and microfinance institutions, enabling women to invest in agricultural infrastructure and improve their productivity.
The project has been implemented in 10 communes in the region, including six in the Guiriko province. In these localities, numerous family land ownership certificates have been established to guarantee social peace and stability of agricultural activities. While the current project is coming to an end, stakeholders are committed to ensuring the sustainability of the initiative, with a second program funded by RVO already in preparation to extend the project to other areas of the country.
The beneficiaries of the land ownership certificates have expressed their joy and gratitude for the initiative. Dokalo Sanata Sanou, speaking on behalf of the recipients, emphasized the importance of the certificates in securing their land rights and improving their livelihoods. She thanked the initiators of the project and expressed her hope for its sustainability, which would benefit the local population.
Key points
- The initiative provides women with official recognition of their land ownership, protecting them from land spoliation and opening up new economic opportunities.
- The project aims to promote women's autonomy and secure rural land, contributing to food security and sustainable agricultural practices.
- The land ownership certificates can be used as collateral for loans, enabling women to invest in agricultural infrastructure and improve their productivity.
