Data reliability key to effective land governance Chad

Chad wishes to update and enhance its land governance policy. We interviewed Youssouf Faradj Mabrouk on this topic. He is the Secretary General for the Ministry of Territorial Planning, Urban Planning and Housing.

Challenges and opportunities

Land governance in Chad is complex. It is marked by a mix of colonial-era laws and customary systems. This has led to various challenges. These are further complicated by factors like climate change, population growth and societal shifts. We asked Mr. Mabrouk about these issues and how Kadaster can assist in effectively updating Chads land governance policies.

What are the key challenges in the land sector? 

“Key issues include defining clear responsibilities among stakeholders and establishing a cohesive vision for the land sector. Furthermore we need to update legislation that respects local customs and improve land administration procedures. Land disputes, widespread corruption and forgery in land transactions further complicate matters. Effective collaboration between judicial and land registry services is crucial to address these challenges and to manage land issues efficiently. Currently, more than 80% of disputes handled by courts are about land issues.”

What is your future vision for Chad?

“Looking ahead 10 to 15 years, Chad aims to draft a new national land policy to enhance property rights and land tenure. This policy should incorporate social and gender inclusiveness and innovative conflict mechanisms. It should also include the establishment of a ‘one-stop shop’ for land affairs. This should lead to streamlined land documentation processes. Other benefits are improved rural and urban living environments as well as better city management.”

What is needed to achieve this? And how can Kadaster play a role? 

“Reliable and up-to-date data is essential for effective land governance. It facilitates the planning of long-term land use, urban mapping and risk reduction strategies. However, utilising this data effectively requires education and training. Government agencies need to closely coordinate with development partners such as Kadaster. This is essential for successful data collection, analysis and management. The absence of accurate data hampers crisis planning and service provision. It hinders governments' ability to secure funding and undermines coordination efforts. Therefore, investing in data reliability and information infrastructure is critical for sustainable and equitable land management in Chad.”

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