Experts Urge Harmonized Land Policies for AfCFTA Success at Addis Ababa Conference

ADDIS ABABA – During the ongoing 2023 Conference on Land Policy in Africa, experts emphasized the need for sustainable and harmonized land governance among African countries to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The fifth edition of the Conference on Land Policy in Africa (CLPA), currently being held in Addis Ababa, focuses on sustainable land governance as a key driver for the successful implementation of the AfCFTA. Panelists at the conference highlighted the critical role of land resources in facilitating intra-African trade and economic growth.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, Director of the Regional Integration and Trade Division at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the full implementation of the AfCFTA could potentially boost intra-African trade by 34.6 percent by 2045, translating to a gain of approximately 204.3 billion USD. This boost is expected to benefit sectors like agrifood, services, industry, and energy/mining significantly.

Karingi emphasized the importance of land in manufacturing and value addition, noting that these activities require land for producing raw materials and making investments. He advocated for the harmonization of land laws across borders to optimize the benefits of the AfCFTA.

Moreover, Karingi pointed out the need for a sustainability-focused approach to this nexus between land resources and the AfCFTA. A preliminary study by the ECA suggests that the AfCFTA could increase African trade without significantly impacting climate change. Karingi proposed the idea of an African carbon market alongside the AfCFTA reforms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining the economic benefits of the trade agreement.

Tsotetsi Makong, Head of Capacity Building and Technical Assistance in the AfCFTA Secretariat, raised the issue of the connection between foreign direct investment (FDI) and access to land. He stressed the importance of a regulatory framework to manage land that is under customary custodianship and traditional leaders. Makong also highlighted the potential of the AfCFTA protocol on investment to foster African Direct Investments (ADI) and protect these investments.

Eileen Wakesho, Director of Community Land Protection at Namati, Kenya, pointed out that while the AfCFTA focuses on the movement of goods, services, and people, and the economic benefits thereof, access to land in Africa is not equal. She raised concerns about the impact of the AfCFTA on customary rights and land acquisitions, urging a closer examination of these issues.

The conference has brought together experts from government, academia, research, traditional authorities, the private sector, and development partners to discuss and strategize on land policy reforms and regulations within the context of the AfCFTA. The discussions aim to foster policy coherence and inclusive engagement at all levels, including women and youth at the grassroots.