Communities, technology, and justice in land governance

The second day of the Regional Conference on Customary Tenure Rights in Eastern Africa focused on the realities of community land registration, the role of technology in land governance, inclusive approaches to conflict resolution, and the leadership of women and youth in shaping land and climate agendas.

Community land cases: Barriers and Lessons

Discussions on community land cases revealed how high costs, lengthy processes, and complex legal frameworks continue to slow down land registration across the region, with some cases taking more than 5–7 years. Even after registration, boundary disputes and external pressures such as infrastructure projects and private investments continue to undermine tenure security.

Participants noted persistent awareness and capacity gaps, with communities often lacking knowledge of national frameworks such as Kenya’s Community Land Act, Uganda’s CLAs, and Tanzania’s Village Land Use Plans. Women and youth continue to be sidelined in registration processes, despite emerging innovations such as Landex and CSO-driven platforms that aim to bridge these gaps.

Civil society and donor partners were recognised as pivotal allies in mobilisation, legal support, land use planning, and conflict resolution, underscoring the importance of partnerships in strengthening community tenure.

Technology and Data: Opportunities and Risks

Technology was highlighted as a game-changer for tenure security and land governance. Platforms such as LandMark, Land Matrix, GIS, drones, and participatory mapping tools are transforming land governance by improving transparency, accountability, and visibility of land rights.

Yet challenges persist. High costs, limited technical capacity, and low awareness of global tools, such as the VGGT, hinder broader adoption. The lack of harmonised national data systems also limits the impact of these tools. Importantly, participants stressed that digital inclusion is essential—women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples must be empowered to use technology rather than excluded by it.

Conflict resolution and Dispute mechanisms

Panel discussions highlighted the limitations of formal court processes, particularly in diverse communities where rigid legal approaches often fail to take into account cultural realities. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) approaches, such as arbitration and mediation, were recognised as more effective, culturally relevant, and accessible for communities.

Participants also reflected on the risks posed by emerging carbon credit schemes. Without safeguards and informed consent, such projects may restrict pastoralist mobility, create parallel governance systems, and undermine customary tenure. Models such as community conservancies and ICCAs offer promise but must ensure benefits are equitably shared, especially with women, youth, and pastoralists.

Rangelands, women, and youth: Anchoring inclusion

Breakout sessions emphasised drought-resilient grazing strategies, mobility as a resilience tool, and the revitalisation of traditional institutions for pastoralist governance. The role of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) was highlighted as a way to incentivise sustainable practices.

Women and youth were recognised as critical stakeholders in land governance, but social norms continue to limit their influence. Participants called for policies and cultural shifts that guarantee women’s equal access to and control over community resources. Innovative financing, leadership development, and digital advocacy were also proposed as strategies to amplify the voices of women and youth in land and climate platforms.

A call for balance and safeguards

The day closed with strong reflections on the need for balanced governance ensuring that innovations such as digital mapping, PES, or carbon schemes strengthen rather than weaken customary tenure systems.

Participants emphasised Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) as a cornerstone for all land-related projects. They called for cross-border collaboration, better policy harmonisation, and sustained investment in pastoral-friendly infrastructure to secure a future where communities remain central to land governance.