LAND is one of Zambia’s most valuable resources, yet its potential remains underutilised due to weak administration systems, fragmented governance and insecure tenure. President Hakainde Hichilema’s call for strengthened land administration is not only timely but essential if Zambia is to unlock the full economic, social and developmental value of its land.
His message, delivered at the National Land Conference yesterday, underscores a truth that cannot be ignored: without proper management, land ceases to be an asset and instead becomes a source of poverty, conflict and underdevelopment.
Chaotic land administration has long plagued Zambia. Poor record-keeping, overlapping authorities and corruption have created fertile ground for illegal settlements, slums and disputes.
These unplanned settlements are not just eyesores; they are breeding grounds for disease, crime and social instability.
They also make it nearly impossible for Government to provide basic amenities such as water, sanitation, electricity, and roads.
The result is a vicious cycle where poverty deepens, public health deteriorates, and investor confidence evaporates.
President Hichilema is right to insist that land can only deliver its full value when it is transparently managed, equitably accessed, and securely held.
Proper land administration is more than just issuing title deeds. It is about creating a system that inspires trust, attracts investment, and empowers citizens.
Secure tenure gives families confidence to invest in housing, allows farmers to improve productivity, and enables entrepreneurs to use land as collateral to access finance.
Where tenure is insecure, development stalls. Where land rights are unclear, disputes multiply. And where planning is weak, settlements become vulnerable to floods and other disasters. Strengthening administration is therefore not a bureaucratic exercise – it is a cornerstone of national development.
The President’s emphasis on inclusivity is equally important.
For too long, women, youths and marginalised communities have been excluded from fair access to land.
This exclusion not only perpetuates inequality but also undermines economic growth.
When women and young people have secure access to land, they can contribute to agriculture, housing and enterprise development.
Inclusive land governance is therefore not charity; it is smart economics. It ensures that the benefits of land are shared broadly, creating prosperity that is sustainable and just.
Equally critical is the need for professional regulation and institutional coordination.
As Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Gift Sialubalo rightly noted, fragmented approaches to land governance limit economic potential.
Strengthening institutions, enforcing compliance among estate agents, and ensuring that only registered professionals operate in the sector will help eliminate corruption and restore confidence. Land management should not be left to Government alone; it must be a collective responsibility involving communities, professionals, and civil society.
As Zambia Institute of Estate Agents (ZIEA) president Nalukui Muwindwa observed, everyone has a role to play in safeguarding this national asset.
The economic potential of land is immense. Properly managed, land can finance infrastructure, support housing delivery, stimulate industrial growth, and attract both local and foreign investment.
It can empower citizens, reduce conflicts, and transform Zambia into a hub of sustainable development.
But this potential will remain locked unless bold reforms are undertaken. Strengthening land administration is not just about preventing slums or disputes – it is about unlocking wealth, dignity and opportunity for all Zambians.
President Hichilema’s call should therefore be embraced with urgency.
It is a call to modernise land records, digitise systems, enforce transparency, and ensure equitable access.
It is a call to protect the environment through planned land use, while also ensuring that idle land is put to productive use. Above all, it is a call to recognise land as capital, as wealth, and as the foundation of Zambia’s future.
The time for fragmented, chaotic land governance is over.
Zambia must seize this moment to build a land administration system that inspires trust, attracts investment, and promotes inclusive prosperity.
Only then will land deliver its full value – not as a passive resource, but as an active driver of national development.
Unlocking Zambia’s hidden wealth
LAND is one of Zambia’s most valuable resources, yet its potential remains underutilised due to weak administration systems, fragmented governance and insecure tenure. President Hakainde Hichilema’s call for strengthened land administration is not only timely but essential if Zambia is to unlock the full economic, social and developmental value of its land.
His message, delivered at the National Land Conference yesterday, underscores a truth that cannot be ignored: without proper management, land ceases to be an asset and instead becomes a source of poverty, conflict and underdevelopment.
Chaotic land administration has long plagued Zambia. Poor record-keeping, overlapping authorities and corruption have created fertile ground for illegal settlements, slums and disputes.
These unplanned settlements are not just eyesores; they are breeding grounds for disease, crime and social instability.
They also make it nearly impossible for Government to provide basic amenities such as water, sanitation, electricity, and roads.
The result is a vicious cycle where poverty deepens, public health deteriorates, and investor confidence evaporates.
President Hichilema is right to insist that land can only deliver its full value when it is transparently managed, equitably accessed, and securely held.
Proper land administration is more than just issuing title deeds. It is about creating a system that inspires trust, attracts investment, and empowers citizens.
Secure tenure gives families confidence to invest in housing, allows farmers to improve productivity, and enables entrepreneurs to use land as collateral to access finance.
Where tenure is insecure, development stalls. Where land rights are unclear, disputes multiply. And where planning is weak, settlements become vulnerable to floods and other disasters. Strengthening administration is therefore not a bureaucratic exercise – it is a cornerstone of national development.
The President’s emphasis on inclusivity is equally important.
For too long, women, youths and marginalised communities have been excluded from fair access to land.
This exclusion not only perpetuates inequality but also undermines economic growth.
When women and young people have secure access to land, they can contribute to agriculture, housing and enterprise development.
Inclusive land governance is therefore not charity; it is smart economics. It ensures that the benefits of land are shared broadly, creating prosperity that is sustainable and just.
Equally critical is the need for professional regulation and institutional coordination.
As Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Gift Sialubalo rightly noted, fragmented approaches to land governance limit economic potential.
Strengthening institutions, enforcing compliance among estate agents, and ensuring that only registered professionals operate in the sector will help eliminate corruption and restore confidence. Land management should not be left to Government alone; it must be a collective responsibility involving communities, professionals, and civil society.
As Zambia Institute of Estate Agents (ZIEA) president Nalukui Muwindwa observed, everyone has a role to play in safeguarding this national asset.
The economic potential of land is immense. Properly managed, land can finance infrastructure, support housing delivery, stimulate industrial growth, and attract both local and foreign investment.
It can empower citizens, reduce conflicts, and transform Zambia into a hub of sustainable development.
But this potential will remain locked unless bold reforms are undertaken. Strengthening land administration is not just about preventing slums or disputes – it is about unlocking wealth, dignity and opportunity for all Zambians.
President Hichilema’s call should therefore be embraced with urgency.
It is a call to modernise land records, digitise systems, enforce transparency, and ensure equitable access.
It is a call to protect the environment through planned land use, while also ensuring that idle land is put to productive use. Above all, it is a call to recognise land as capital, as wealth, and as the foundation of Zambia’s future.
The time for fragmented, chaotic land governance is over.
Zambia must seize this moment to build a land administration system that inspires trust, attracts investment, and promotes inclusive prosperity.
Only then will land deliver its full value – not as a passive resource, but as an active driver of national development.