Toward a land policy observatory in West Africa : potential roles in contributing to land policy processes
Ouedraogo, Hubert
Land policy development is today seen by most analysts in Africa as one of the major challenges for the future of the continent. West Africa is a region with high diversity. The ecological diversity is dominated by the contrast between the Sahel zone, where agro-pastoral activities are dominant, and the coastal area where plantation economy (Cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber treess) is the lead agricultural activity. While the region has been shaped by powerful and prestigious traditional empires (Empire of Ghana (7th Century), Mossi Empire (11th century) Empire of Mali (13th century), the Arabic domination influenced the development process of the region. However, the European colonial conquests and domination by end of 19th century left the deepest footprint on West African societies, land policies and institutions, including official languages: today, West Africa is a mix of Anglophone, Francophone, Portuguese and Arabic speaking area.
Event: Annual Bank Conference on Land Policy and Administration
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