By Davida Spaine-Solomon
Freetown, 8th September, 2026 – The Government of Sierra Leone is moving to introduce a nationwide land title certificate system aimed at strengthening land ownership security, reducing disputes and land grabbing, and improving transparency in property administration.
The proposed reform, already approved by Cabinet, will require landowners across the country to formally register their properties and obtain official title certificates once Parliament passes the legislation.
Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesi, disclosed the plan on Tuesday, 8th September, 2026, during the Government’s Weekly Press Conference held at the Miatta Civic Centre.
Dr. Senesi said the system would fundamentally change land administration by providing greater clarity and legal certainty over land ownership. He explained that formal registration and the issuance of title certificates would provide recognised proof of ownership and help address longstanding challenges associated with disputed land claims.
“Land grabbing will soon be a thing of the past in Sierra Leone. The title certificate will be deployed systematically to ensure clarity in land ownership,” Dr. Senesi said.
The Minister also highlighted the potential economic benefits of the reform, particularly for large-scale landowners and agricultural investors. He said properly documented land ownership would enable property owners to use their land as collateral to access larger loans for agriculture and other productive investments.
Beyond land ownership, Dr. Senesi urged members of the public to obtain building permits before commencing construction, stressing the importance of compliance with planning and building regulations.
He disclosed that applications for building permits could now be submitted and processed digitally, describing the system as part of efforts to make the Ministry’s services more accessible and efficient.
According to the Minister, a building permit does not merely provide legal authorisation to construct. He said it also gives applicants access to technical guidance from the Ministry on appropriate construction standards, including where and how structures should be developed.
Dr. Senesi encouraged the public to use the digital platform and obtain the required permits before beginning construction work.
Civil Society Activist William Sao Lamin commended the Minister for what he described as significant improvements in the operations of the Ministry, noting that it increased orderliness and efficiency. He also cited the establishment of a bank within the Ministry as an important development in streamlining financial transactions and improving service delivery.
If enacted by Parliament, the proposed land title certificate system would represent a major shift in Sierra Leone’s land administration, with the Government seeking to strengthen tenure security, curb land-related disputes and create a more transparent framework for property ownership and investment.
