Page 78 - ITU-T Focus Group Digital Financial Services – Executive Summary

1 Introduction

1.1 Background

A system for recording land ownership, land values, land use and other land-related data is an indispensable
tool for the market economy to work properly for sustainable management of land resources and secure
land tenure. All industrialized nations with a market economy maintain some sort of land register system
that fulfils the above requirements. In general one uses the term “land” to refer to the objects to which
mortgages and other data are to be connected. In practice a land registration system can incorporate various
basic objects or units, with land parcels being the most common. Many countries also allow buildings or parts
of buildings to be registered as separate real estates, as well as structures under or above the surface. The
latter are referred to as properties in strata. Defining the basic units is a major element in the design of any
land information system.

1.2 Challenge and response

Many publications support the fact that a land registry is integral to the basic infrastructure of a country. The
book by Hernando de Soto “The mystery of capital” is well-known in this respect. In this book the author
explains the role of land tenure and security of land title (including ownership, use rights, usufruct). Based
on the findings in this book, a good land registry system will:
• Guarantee ownership and security of tenure;
• Support land and property taxation;

• Provide security for credit;
• Develop and monitor land markets;
• Protect State lands;
• Reduce land disputes;
• Facilitate land reform and land reallocation;

• Improve urban planning and infrastructure development;
• Support environmental management;
• Produce statistical data.
In view of the above, this case study aims to further explore the vision on land tenure in certain African
countries. It will also explore how to implement cadastre and land register projects.

1.3 Countries involved

The Fit for Purpose land register system examined in this case study, is a key component of the land
administration success in the following countries: Namibia, Rwanda and Lesotho. What these countries had
in common was the strong determination to set up an optimal land register, backed up by the highest ranking
authorities with limited investments in terms of time and finances.

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