The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) now has its Operational Field Manual for the Formalisation of Customary Land Rights, developed and provided by IGN FI, in partnership with Tetratech. This reference document is the result of a 12-month project financed by the World Bank, which mobilised IGN FI experts.
The manual aims to strengthen land tenure security in the country. It provides guidance and an effective methodology for national stakeholders, NGOs and private operators working in the land tenure field. It is based on extensive evidence gathering and literature review to translate the legal, institutional, social, technical and operational aspects of customary land tenure in Liberia in a structured manner.
The orientations thus defined were tested and proven by the realisation of 4 pilot projects in the counties of Bong, Lofa and Margibi, in which IGN FI and the LLA were involved. They allowed for direct feedback on the identified methodology. This approach gave the opportunity to refine the manual and to make it particularly relevant to local realities. Technical tools adapted to the procedure, in particular mobile applications for entering information and structuring communication media, were also developed and implemented.
The project has also led to a significant transfer of skills to nearly 50 LLA officials, who now have all the knowledge and tools they need to carry out their future missions in the area of customary land rights formalisation.
This manual, which is the result of a rigorous and participatory process, is a significant step forward for land security in Liberia.