Land: Revising the law, towards optimal land management?

Burkinabe authorities are taking the necessary and appropriate measures to address recurring issues in the agricultural and land sectors in Burkina Faso. Like many African countries, the nation faces challenges in land management, with frequent conflicts among citizens over land ownership.

The authorities are determined to take responsibility for better managing land properties, particularly for the benefit of development projects within the country. The adoption of a draft law on Agrarian and Land Reorganization (RAF) by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, February 5th, marks a step in the government’s efforts to improve land management.

Significant updates have been made to this legal text, which dates back to 2012, to make it more relevant to current realities. According to the Minister of Economy, Dr. Aboubakar Nacanabo, these updates include the possibility of long-term leases ranging from 18 to 99 years for agricultural production; the recognition of customary rights; and the prohibition of foreigners from holding land titles on rural land.

These legal provisions are crucial for facilitating land planning, managing the national land domain, and regulating property rights. According to the government, once adopted by the Transitional Legislative Assembly, this draft law will provide Burkina Faso with the necessary legal framework to mobilize more land, especially in rural areas, for the implementation of major public interest projects.