As of April 1, 2026, the Cameroonian government will authorize third-degree traditional chiefs to issue provisional land titles for dependencies of the national domain. This measure was formalized by a circular letter dated February 20, issued by the Minister of State Property, Surveys and Land Affairs (Mindcaf), Henri Eyebe Ayissi.
The circular letter introduces two new documents aimed at establishing "initial proof of the occupation or exploitation of a parcel of land in the national domain by the applicant". These are the certificates of recognition of customary land rights (ARDFC) and the certificates of peaceful enjoyment of land (AJPTER). These documents are considered intermediate in the process of obtaining the land title, which represents the official certification of real estate ownership.
The ARDFC aims to promote the land rights of customary communities or family groups and their members. The AJPTER, for its part, aims to improve the protection of the rights of occupation and exploitation of land users. The Mindcaf specifies that these certificates will be issued by third-degree traditional chiefs, on the dependencies of the national domain located in their territory of competence.
The main objective is to strengthen the involvement of traditional authorities in the prevention and settlement of land disputes related to dependencies of the national domain. This initiative also aims to provide customary communities, family groups and populations occupying or exploiting these lands with provisional instruments recognized by the traditional authorities, attesting to their customary possession or their peaceful enjoyment, pending the completion of the process of obtaining the land title.
Only customary communities, family groups or their members, as well as holders of customary land rights, are authorized to apply for an ARDFC on a dependency of the national domain that they occupy or exploit. The AJPTER can be requested by those who have made a demonstrable development, of Cameroonian nationality, living within a customary community, a family community or a village, provided that the development dates back at least five years and that the occupation or exploitation is peaceful.
The Minister emphasizes that these certificates only concern occupied or exploited land, falling within the first category of the national domain. Virgin land, free from any occupation or not having been developed, is therefore not concerned. By implementing these documents, the government hopes to promote the safeguarding of the living space of customary communities, while preventing land disputes and strengthening the recognition and protection of customary land rights of occupants, exploiters or users of the land. This measure is part of a process of internalizing, at the national level, international best practices in land governance.
