The rapid progress in digital information and communication technologies  (ICTs) comes with both fresh opportunities and new challenges for different sectors and actors adopting the new solutions that become available over time. Since the mid-2000s, the global land governance community has piloted a series of open data and transparency initiatives largely based on such digital innovations, aiming at increasing accountability and counteracting corruption in the land sector, both at the local and global level.

Rapid urban population growth and spatial expansion of urban centers have brought unprecedented demand for land in developing countries such as Ethiopia.  The dramatic shifts in urban land tenure from Feudal System (pre-1974) to Socialist Land Policy (1974- 1991) and to the current system (post-1991) have left the urban populations uncertain about their property rights. The historical context coupled with the complex legal and institutional structure and the absence of proper records of rights and restrictions have invigorated corruption in the land sector.

Existing land governance system in Zimbabwe subjects vulnerable groups such as women to ‘land corruption’, which entrenches the already existing gendered land inequalities. This study used secondary data and found that Zimbabwe has witnessed various forms of corruption in general and land corruption, in particular, despite the country having the requisite policy, legal and institutional frameworks as well as other mechanisms to curb the scourge of corruption.

Ce document vise à faciliter la collecte de données comparable entre pays pour le calcul des indicateurs des ODD 1.4.2 et 5.a.1 conformément aux méthodologies approuvées par l’IAEG-SDG. Cette publication donne un aperçu des indicateurs, une discussion sur les différents modules de questionnaire proposés et des conseils détaillés pour chacun.

The impending close to the war in Syria brings to the fore the prospect of approximately 13 million forcibly displaced people considering returns to places of origin in the country. However the reattachment of people to their housing, land and property (HLP) faces a daunting set of challenges—the prospect of demographic change, the application of expropriation laws, confiscations and political agendas.

Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power to acquire illicit benefit for private gain. Corrupt practices in the context of land administration and land management have come to be known as ‘land corruption’. As with all other forms of corruption, it thrives in the dark corners of closed systems where transparency is lacking, and accountability can be avoided.

Open Data is data that can be freely used, shared and built-on by anyone, anywhere, for any purpose. Open Data is widely considered to be an effective response to land corruption by increasing transparency, supporting innovation and increasing civic engagement. Advocates of open data believe in its potential for empowering citizens to gain more insight on government spendings and land-related decisions; giving civil society greater power to hold governments accountable for their actions.

Land titles registration is germane to providing proof of individual ownership of land. In recognition of its importance in enhancing property rights, efforts at improving land title registration has increased significantly. Generally, the most vital areas vulnerable to corruption in Africa land sector are land administration, customary land tenure, management of state-owned land, land use planning, family land inheritance, conversion of land use, investments for both present period and speculative purpose among others.

This detailed timeline provides further background information on the history and land governance of Zimbabwe summarised in the Land Portal country profile.

ABSTRACT Urban land in Zimbabwe is a lucrative economic and thus political asset. Increased demand for urban land across the country has been driven by multiple factors including high rates of urbanization, increased rural-urban migration, urban population growth and serious challenges in housing provision post-independence. This paper uses desk research to map out the actors and contestations over land.

In 2015, 193 countries affirmed their commitment to the 17 goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including Germany. According to an estimate by the United Nations in 2018, the international community loses 5% of global gross domestic product through corruption. Effective measures to combat corruption are therefore a prerequisite for achieving the ambitious goals of the 2030 Agenda. 

The dynamics of current global challenges—like food and nutrition security, environmental degradation, climate change, and emergencies—reduce the availability of and/or access to natural resources, and thereby underline the urgency of achieving transformational changes in the governance of tenure. This is increasingly required to bring the greatest good to the most people, in line with human rights.