Property and Prosperity: Reforming Landholding in Africa

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines landholding systems in Africa, drawing on African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) reports. It argues that while weak property rights hinder economic development, universal formal titling is often impractical due to institutional capacity constraints. The author proposes a gradual approach that leverages informal rights regimes and improves state administrative capacity to enhance tenure security.

• Agriculture is a critical economic driver for sub-Saharan Africa, contributing approximately 32% of its GDP and employing about 65% of the workforce, yet it currently operates at only 25% of its potential productivity.
• African landholding is characterized by a hybrid and often fluid system where traditional (customary) and statutory models overlap, frequently leading to complex and contradictory administrative environments.
• There is widespread insecurity regarding landholdings across the continent, with a World Bank study indicating that only 10% of rural land in Africa is formally registered.
• While formal titling is often proposed to allow assets to be used as collateral, the author cautions that the high cost of formalization and the limited value of poor people's assets may make universal titling an unfeasible immediate solution.
• The author recommends a transition toward formal systems by first enhancing informal mechanisms and user rights, such as the use of customary landholding certificates piloted in Zambia.
• Improving land productivity and value requires a combination of increased state administrative capacity—including the computerization of records—and targeted investment in rural transport and agricultural extension services.

APA

Corrigan, T. (2016). Property and Prosperity: Reforming Landholding in Africa. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Policy-Briefing-146.pdf

Chicago

Corrigan, Terence. Property and Prosperity: Reforming Landholding in Africa. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2016. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Policy-Briefing-146.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Corrigan |first1=Terence |title=Property and Prosperity: Reforming Landholding in Africa |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=January 2016 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Policy-Briefing-146.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{corrigan2016property, author = {Corrigan, Terence}, title = {{Property and Prosperity: Reforming Landholding in Africa}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2016}, month = jan, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Policy-Briefing-146.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }