Management of State Lands: Transparency, Rights and chiefdoms
SPECIAL CONFERENCE ON LAND TEURE REFORM: MINDCAF LAUNCHES THE IMMEDIATE IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW DIRECTIVES
On 1 September 2026, the ONGOLA A SAMBA Hall of the Centre Regional Council in Yaounde hosted a Special Forum dedicated to the official launch of the Circular Letters and Ministerial Instructions (2024–2026) on land governance.
Chaired by the Minister of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure (MINDCAF), Henri Eyebe Ayissi, the meeting brought together administrative authorities, Traditional Rulers and stakeholders involved in the land tenure chain. In his address, the Minister highlighted the limitations of the 1974 Ordinances in addressing current challenges, including population pressure, urbanisation and land disputes, and explained the rationale for the reform undertaken within the framework of the National Development Strategy 2030 (NDS30) and in line with the relevant FAO guidelines.
Two major announcements were made during the forum. The first one concerned the signing of Circular Letter No. 0005/MINDCAF/CAB/LC of 31 August 2026 to set out conditions for the designation of notables to serve on the land consultative boards. The second one was a clear warning: a rigorous assessment of the implementation of the new provisions will be conducted during the parliamentary debate on the forthcoming draft law on land tenure.
The Minister instructed the strict and immediate implementation of the measures introduced, including the establishment of an annually updated card-index of attestations issued by third-class chiefdoms, the rigorous application of the scales governing the field operations of the land consultative boards, and the application of the new rules to all pending land registration applications. He further required the devolved services to set an example, failing which disciplinary sanctions would be meted out.
After workshop sessions, a number of recommendations were adopted, including the drafting of a joint MINDCAF–MINAT Order to codify the applicable fees, as well as the forwarding of the Circular Letters to MINAT with a view to strengthening synergy between the two administrations. Finally, the Minister announced that the draft bill on land tenure is currently under review by the Prime Minister, while the inventory of the implementing instruments has begun in collaboration with the World Bank.
“Each and every one of you is now a staunch ambassador and a rigorous enforcer of this historic reform,” the Minister concluded, calling on participants to work towards effective land governance at the service of sustainable development.
Nick Didace BEKEAKEN
