From October 20–24, 2024, Arusha hosted the fourth International Youth and Land Governance Conference (CIGOFA4), organised by YILAA under the theme "Acceleration of Youth Land Rights."
KINNAPA sent two representatives who contributed insights on Advancing Youth Land Rights in Africa — with a special focus on indigenous women and youth, and how young people can build a better future through secure land tenure.
The conference was structured around 6 dedicated panels, each creating space for focused, in-depth dialogue between practitioners, policymakers, youth delegates, and international partners.
CIGOFA4 brought together actors from across Africa and beyond — united by a shared drive to assess challenges, celebrate progress, and deliver actionable solutions for youth land rights.
CIGOFA4 fostered meaningful dialogue on the various dimensions of youth participation in land governance, emphasising policy advocacy, grassroots activism, and the integration of indigenous knowledge with technological innovation.
The overarching goal was to empower youth for sustainable futures — navigating land governance, climate justice, urbanisation, and food security as critical components in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union's Agenda 2063.
The role of traditional authorities in enabling youth and women's land access and tenure rights — highlighting the need for intergenerational dialogue and inclusive decision-making processes.
A review of existing frameworks from AU to national level on youth and women's engagement in land governance — identifying opportunities, achievements, remaining challenges, and how frameworks can be improved.
Practical strategies for removing barriers to land access for young people across the continent, from documentation to inheritance reform.
Youth delegates articulated their land needs and the capacity-building required to meaningfully participate in land governance processes at all levels.
Country-level case studies and lived experiences from young land rights advocates across Africa, including Tanzania, Kenya, Cameroon, and Senegal.
How international organisations and development partners can align their support to accelerate youth land rights at scale and ensure lasting structural change.
The recommendations collectively address four interconnected pillars essential to advancing youth land rights across Africa:
Strengthen statutory frameworks at AU, national, and local levels to explicitly protect youth and women's land rights.
Empower young people and women to understand and advocate for their land entitlements through targeted programmes.
Foster stronger partnerships between authorities, civil society, communities, and the private sector for equitable land access.
Ensure meaningful youth and indigenous women's voices shape the land decisions that determine their futures.
One of CIGOFA4's most significant outcomes was the collective development of recommendations endorsed by all participants — charting a clear path forward for youth land rights across Africa.
"The discussions at CIGOFA4 reaffirmed the critical role of key stakeholders and youth themselves in shaping the future of land governance — and the power of collective action in driving meaningful change."— KINNAPA Representatives · CIGOFA4, Arusha 2024
KINNAPA's representatives left the conference inspired and motivated to implement the recommendations discussed, reaffirming their commitment to advancing youth land rights in Tanzania and across the continent.
The collective efforts initiated at CIGOFA4 stand as a powerful reminder of the potential that lies in empowering youth — and demonstrate that when young people are placed at the centre of land governance, transformative change becomes possible.
KINNAPA is proud to be part of this growing movement and is committed to seeing the three recommendations turned into concrete action. We will continue to advocate for youth land rights, indigenous women's tenure security, and inclusive governance across Tanzania.
CIGOFA4 · Arusha, Tanzania · 2024