Land Market Survey Conducted in Montserrado, Margibi, Bong, Nimba and Grand Bassa Counties for LGSA

The LGSA commissioned a Land Market Study (LMS) to inform its efforts. The study's objective was to assess the land market in Liberia, identify key challenges, and provide recommendations for improving land governance. The study focused on five counties: Montserrado, Margibi, Bong, Nimba, and Grand Bassa. It employed a mixed-methods approach, combining focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and data analysis. The study aimed to understand the supply of land services by government entities, private sector providers, and the demand for these services. The study found that the management and governance of land in Liberia face significant challenges. The Interim Land Task Force, established to oversee land administration, lacks capacity and resources. The Center for National Documents and Records Agency (CNDRA) is responsible for maintaining land records, but its operations are hindered by inadequate infrastructure and personnel. Government entities, including the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy, the Ministry of Public Works, and the Liberia Revenue Authority, provide land services, but their capacity is limited. Private sector providers, such as surveyors and lawyers, offer land services, but their activities are often unregulated. The study identified a shortage of land services, particularly in rural areas. The cost of land and land services is a significant barrier to access, with many households unable to afford the fees associated with land transactions. Women-headed households face particular challenges in accessing land services, with limited access to credit and other resources. The study recommended several areas for priority by the LGSA, including the establishment of a land cadastral system, training professionals in land services, and raising awareness about land and land-related issues. The study also suggested that the government engage the private sector to provide land services, through public-private partnerships. The study's findings and recommendations aim to inform the LGSA's efforts to improve land governance in Liberia. By addressing the challenges identified in the study, the LGSA can help to establish more effective land governance systems, improve equitable access to land, and promote economic development in Liberia. The study's methodology involved focus group discussions with community members, key informant interviews with government officials, private sector providers, and civil society organizations. The study also analyzed data from various sources, including government records and surveys. The study's findings have implications for the LGSA's efforts to improve land governance in Liberia. By understanding the challenges facing the land market, the LGSA can develop targeted interventions to address these challenges and improve access to land for all Liberians.