(Ecofin Agency) - In Madagascar, free land transfer to inheritors after death which came into force in January 2016, has been extended to June 2017. This was announced by the nation’s president at the wish announcement ceremony on Jan 6, 2017, at Iavoloha.

The measure was part of the president’s electoral pledges. It aims to facilitate land-related procedures for inheritors. However, though it is effective, it revealed a number of challenges for its beneficiaries. “Not having enough knowledge about procedures to follow, especially in rural areas, paired with the heaviness of preparations of related documents, are some of the main reasons behind the delay in the transfer process. Latecomers are those that suffer most from this delay,” states News Mada.

Truth is the process is not entirely free. Requested documents and administrative papers (death certificate, affidavits), are acquired for a fee from authorities that issue them. The land office says “only registration rights for inheritance at the tax office and transfer rights at the Land office are free”.

“We hope to register 10,000 free transfers within six months,” L’Express de Madagascar was told by Hasimpi­renena Rasolomampionona, Director General of the Land Office.

Souha Touré