Securing land rights is essential to addressing today’s development challenges, from climate change to land degradation, sustainable urbanization to gender equality. It’s also critical for poverty reduction, and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Advances in technology have shifted the frontier of what’s possible. More computing power, connectivity and satellite imagery have enabled land rights to be documented in ways that are affordable, with greater participation and transparency. Many countries are already capitalizing on the opportunities this provides.
However, many developing countries still remain stuck with paper records and outdated laws and regulations that preclude them from harnessing the advantages of the digital economy. If these issues are addressed, and with appropriate regulation, technology can truly act as a catalyst that allows developing countries to advance rapidly in innovative ways.
Director, Development Economics
Chief Executive Officer, NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency
Minister of Urban Development and Construction, Ethiopia
Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Tufts University
Executive Director, African Economic Research Consortium
Undersecretary of the Chilean Ministry of National Assets