Government Advances Land Reforms To Improve Planning, Registration

The Government of Sierra Leone says it is advancing land reforms aimed at improving physical planning, controlling development, decentralising land services and introducing a reliable land title registration system.

Dr. Turad Senesi made the disclosure on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, during a public engagement at the Miatta Civic Centre in Freetown on the progress of the land reform programme.

He said the reforms seek to address longstanding challenges including land disputes, overcrowding and unplanned settlements by ensuring communities are properly planned before development. Developers will be required to meet planning standards and obtain relevant approvals, while considering infrastructure such as roads, drainage, sanitation, water and electricity.

Dr. Senesi highlighted the National Country Planning Act, which provides a new framework for guiding development in towns, cities, villages and other communities.

The reforms will also give local councils greater responsibility for implementing planning policies, while the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning will retain responsibility for policy, regulation, monitoring and evaluation. Training is being provided to strengthen councils’ capacity.

He said digital land administration and title registration will improve ownership verification, make transactions more transparent, reduce multiple sales of properties and provide landowners with stronger proof of ownership. Secure titles could also help property owners access financing for agriculture and other investments.

Dr. Senesi added that improved land administration has contributed to increased government revenue and urged landowners, developers, councils and communities to support and comply with the reforms.

The engagement, hosted by Mohamed Jaward Nyallay, formed part of the government’s ongoing public engagements on national reforms and development programmes.