(Ecofin Agency) - In a statement relayed by the Agence de Presse Africaine, Ivorian Minister of Construction and Urbanization, Mamadou Sanogo (photo), announced that over the past four years, the number of single windows for land has passed from 1 to 73. This, as result of a strict implementation of the land reform by government.

“Prefects are now effectively able to sign definitive acquisition permits (ACD) for areas of size below an hectare; and single windows have also been spread across the territory. Before we took over this department, only Abidjan had a land office. Today, they are windows in all 31 regional capitals and in most departmental centres, the Minister said.  

The official also mentioned the “simplification of procedures related to application for deeds, shorter delays, transparency, good governance, creation of business opportunities for the private sector”.

Reforms that should be more efficient considering the CFA3.3 billion recently provided by the European Union to help the nation improve land security in its rural areas.

Souha Touré