RURAL AND URBAN LAND GOVERNANCE ISSUES
Rural and urban land governance in Ethiopia requires regular upgrading. However, instead of
advancing the causes of responsible land management, the land administration system in
place resulted in problems such as land fragmentation and poor land management practices.
The average family holding of land in Ethiopia is less than one hectare, which hardly feeds
the family for a year, especially in areas where rain-fed agriculture is practiced. This indicates
the need for cross sectorial integration to alleviate the problem.
The major land policy issues due to these challenges include significant inequality and
economic disparities among the different regions, land fragmentation; urban-rural land use
conflicts; less protection of communal land rights; negative impacts of land leasing and large-
scale land investments; and climate change and land degradation. The key policy measures to
be considered to improve the rural and urban land governance in Ethiopia are:
Upgrading land laws and policies to properly address the sustainable development
need of the country by balancing efficiency and equity objectives.
Institutional restructuring: Abolishing rural /urban dichotomy and establishing one
strong institution that can properly govern all land in Ethiopia by balancing the
centralization and decentralization needs to bring about standardized but also
participatory land administration system in Ethiopia.
To introduce robust fit for purpose land administration system that is technically
suitable and upgraded to fulfill the needs of the nation.
Recognize customary practices of land use and transaction on the one hand, and,
establish a mechanism for a smooth and efficient continuum and transitioning of
informal practices to the formal market system.
The findings indicate diverse sources of challenge for the implementation of land
governance in Ethiopia. The critical gaps in land governance are the lack of coherence
and effectiveness in land policies; a complex and contradictory legislative framework;
disconnection between land policies and laws and their implementation on the ground;
weak land administration and governance.
Challenges of institutional fragmentation
The separation of land administration institutions for urban and rural land is a central
immediate cause for various land related problems in Ethiopia. These are manifested through
unclear roles and mandates, ineffectively streamlined work processes and quality of services,
increase cost of land administration services delivery, incomplete land access and use laws,
difficulty in enforcing decisions, poor feedback loop systems, informal land acquisition,
corruption, land speculation, land related conflicts, insufficient capacity.
Institutional fragmentation goes beyond rural-urban dichotomy. Thus, there is a lack of
coordination between land administration and water management authorities; cadastral
information registration and landholding right organizations (sometimes called right
creators); environmental resource, forest and grazing lands management institutions; and so
on.
Technical challenges
Fit for purpose land administration system is widely acknowledged for its suitability in the
developing world, Ethiopia included. The approached used to be tested and implemented in
Ethiopia. However further development and refinement is required at all levels.
The land to society relationship is always unique to a given society. Effectively
understanding, managing and devising a working land administration system is always a big
challenge for every country. The land administration system of Ethiopia is still under
construction. The system needs further development and refinement to address the
societal need of sustainable development.
The coverage of first and second level certification is variable in different regions. Technical
solutions that are relevant to each location for fast and cost effective certification are
required.
Institutional fragmentation in the context of urban-rural is a key problem. The idea of rural-
urban dichotomy must be stopped by clear official declaration. A unified approach conducive
for comprehensive planning and use as well as appropriate urban land-farm land use
balancing must be put in place. A unique administrative boundary system must be adopted
for this purpose.
This necessitates an inclusive and integrative institutionalization of all key land
administration ministries and bureaus. Institutional integration in all other respects and
stability and continuity should be ensured.
Policy and legislative reforms that clarify land tenure rights and strengthen protection against
unlawful dispossession, ensuring recognition of customary land rights, simplifying and
clarifying the legislative framework governing land disputes to enhance its effectiveness and
accessibility.
Legal reform is needed to better balance state interests and local community rights to promote
equity, security, and productive and sustainable land use and governance in various contexts
including hydro-development, watershed development, wildlife protection, soil conservation,
etc.
Various land and property ownership options should be made available in accordance with
best practices in the world.
The law must encourage freedom of movement and provide diverse sources of livelihood
without losing land. Allocation of land must also be free from political allegiance or
proximity to the ruling party circle.
One central problem identified is the inconsistency and often contradictory nature of land use
and agricultural policies, which have led to adverse land use changes and uneven agricultural
development outcomes. Thus, a comprehensive and integrated approach to policy-making,
focusing on inclusivity and sustainability, is essential to balance agricultural development
with the preservation of environmental integrity and support for vulnerable rural
communities.
Good land governance is critical for Ethiopia’s prosperity and sustainable development. It has
the potential to drive urbanization and rural development when challenges in terms of local
capacity, policy coherence, and community engagement are treated. Public perception of
governance significantly influences trust in land institutions and citizen satisfaction levels are
high indicators of responsible land administration. The evolutionary credibility of institutions
governing land, housing, and natural resources hinges on their ability to function effectively
in practice, not just their formal structures. The Federal Government, State Governments, and
other regional and municipal governments, other stakeholders, and the citizens should take
concerted action to curb the challenges which are handicapping Ethiopia’s advancement in
economy, social and environmental development.
Addressing the root causes may be daunting but if it is done, the subsidiary challenges will be
more easily addressed.
