Chad cadastre regularises land titles
The process involves traditional leaders and multiple government departments to confirm land origins and boundaries.
Chad's land registry is undertaking a lengthy process to regularise land titles, involving multiple government departments and traditional authorities. Director of Cadastre Ahmat Mahamat Makaïla stated that this procedure is frequent and often concerns plots acquired from customary owners, known as 'boulama', or village chiefs. The goal is to establish land origin, precisely identify parcels, and advance files towards official land titles.
The regularisation process begins with a user's application and its registration, followed by a physical identification of the plot by a technician. Confirmation from traditional authorities is a required step before the file is sent to relevant services for study, including verification in the GIRAF database. Makaïla noted that this procedure requires numerous checks and mobilises several services.
The Cadastre department, under the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Housing, aims to prevent conflicts by ensuring clear land ownership. The detailed steps are designed to confirm the legitimacy of land acquisition and the precise boundaries of each parcel before a title is issued.
Why it mattersLand owners in Chad face a complex and lengthy process to secure official titles for their properties, which can involve traditional leaders and multiple government checks.