Land and connectivity
Land access and ownership are crucial in determining economic and social opportunities for many residents in African cities, playing a central role in political discourses, identities and conflict. Land administration is key for poverty reduction efforts and to facilitate bottom-up wealth creation and development.
Access to and rights over land determine many factors impacting residents’ lives and livelihoods, including housing availability and affordability, access to basic services and employment, and social security and physical safety, among others. As such, urban land issues are an intensely political subject, making technical interventions challenging and drawing in a wide range of actors.
Our research looks into the ideologies shaping state-led land reforms and support from international donors across the continent, along with how an increased appetite for land investment has fuelled price increases and speculative property development – entrenching the socio-spatial divide in many African cities. We also explore how international development partners are working with African governments on land reform, land value capture and enhancing property taxation, to funnel increased land prices into financing infrastructure and service investments.

LATEST NEWS from ACRC

When policy follows practice: Reflections from Nairobi’s Water and Sanitation Policy workshop
The ACRC Nairobi team had the privilege of joining residents, government officials, engineers, public health experts and other stakeholders at a recent Water and Sanitation Policy workshop for Nairobi’s informal settlements.

New research: Unearthing the realities of food security in Bukavu
A new ACRC working paper explores the complex challenges that a population explosion, mineral rush and conflict pose to food security and access to healthy diets in Bukavu, and identify potential paths forward for the city.

Unlocking land rights for communities in Mathare, Nairobi
ACRC has partnered with Strathmore University and Akiba Mashinani Trust to equip the residents of Mathare with the tools and strategies they need to secure greater recognition of their land tenure.