In Eastern Rwanda, thousands of smallholder farmers are now one step closer to land security, thanks to a strategic partnership aimed at improving the accuracy and completeness of land records. Led by Landesa, in collaboration with Cadasta and Rwanda’s National Land Authority (NLA), the initiative addresses long-standing land administration challenges, starting with a successful rollout in the Kirehe district.
From Policy to Practice
Rwanda’s pioneering Land Tenure Regularization (LTR) program transformed the country’s land governance landscape by systematically demarcating, digitizing, and registering over 10 million land parcels nationwide in under a decade. The project scale required affordable options, such as low-resolution satellite imagery for boundary demarcation. However, with development, population growth, and urban sprawl, there is a need for clearer boundary demarcation. A recent survey by One Acre Fund found that 18% of farmers in Kirehe, Kayonza, and Nyagatare experienced land disputes, with half of these disputes stemming from unclear boundaries. The NLA has also estimated that over 80,000 parcels in these districts lack complete ownership records, rendering many land titles legally or economically unusable.
To address these issues, the current initiative is focused on two core goals:
- Correcting boundary errors using high-precision geospatial tools, and
- Completing first-time registration for parcels missing ownership data.
Precision Mapping Meets Local Implementation
From February to June 2025, the team worked across ten sectors in the Kirehe district. Using high-precision GNSS-based tablets (connected to Rwanda’s Continuous Operating Reference System) and smartphones equipped with Esri’s Survey123 and FieldMap, field staff conducted real-time, integrated spatial and non-spatial data collection. This ensured sub-centimeter boundary accuracy and compliance with national geospatial standards, eliminating overlaps and aligning digital maps with real-world parcel demarcations.
Community-Centered Engagement
At the heart of this effort is a strong commitment to community participation. Prior to data collection, field teams held community entry meetings and consultations with local leaders and village elders to build trust and encourage involvement. This participatory approach proved essential to gathering accurate ownership information and resolving disputes. As a result, the initiative not only delivered improved data, it also helped restore public confidence in Rwanda’s land administration systems.
Building Capacity for Lasting Impact
A three-tier training program was implemented following a needs assessment, equipping data collectors with the technical skills necessary for boundary correction, data entry, and digital mapping. A pilot phase in one sector allowed the team to refine workflows and validate tools before scaling up across the district. This investment in local capacity is paving the way for more sustainable and efficient land governance practices in future districts.
These figures represent more than administrative progress; they reflect restored rights, reduced land-related conflict, and new opportunities for farmers to access agricultural inputs, credit, and legal protections.
A Scalable Path Forward
Kirehe’s successful implementation now serves as a model for replication. Work has already begun in Kayonza District, with Nyagatare District next. By combining high-precision technology, institutional coordination, and inclusive community engagement, the initiative is laying the foundation for a more resilient, gender-responsive, and economically inclusive land administration system across Rwanda.
