As of April 1, 2026, a new government measure in Cameroon will allow third-degree traditional chiefs to issue provisional land titles for land falling under the national domain. This initiative, formalized by a circular letter dated February 20 from the Minister of Domains, Land Registry and Land Affairs (Mindcaf), Henri Eyebe Ayissi, aims to simplify and secure access to land ownership for local populations.
Two new documents are being introduced as part of this reform: attestations of recognition of customary land rights (ARDFC) and attestations of peaceful enjoyment of land (AJPTER). These attestations will serve as preliminary proof of occupation or exploitation of a plot of land in the national domain, thereby facilitating the process of obtaining an official land title. The ARDFC is intended to promote the land rights of customary communities and family communities, while the AJPTER aims to better protect the occupation and exploitation rights of land users.
The Mindcaf specified that these attestations will be issued by third-degree traditional chiefs, within the limits of their territory of competence. The objective is to involve traditional authorities more in the prevention and settlement of land disputes, while providing local communities with provisional instruments attesting to their customary rights or their peaceful enjoyment. Only customary communities, family communities and their members, as well as holders of customary land rights, will be able to apply for an ARDFC. For the AJPTER, it is conditional on proven development of at least five years and peaceful occupation or exploitation, and is reserved for Cameroonians living within a customary community or village.
This government initiative excludes virgin or unexploited land, focusing only on land falling within the first category of the national domain that is already occupied or exploited. By facilitating the issuance of provisional land titles, the Cameroonian government hopes both to secure the living space of customary communities and to prevent land conflicts, while strengthening the recognition and protection of customary land rights. The reform is part of a broader context of land security in Cameroon, where customary rights are often in conflict with state law.
The measure aims to modernize a system where less than 2% of land is officially registered, leaving the majority managed by customary arrangements, sometimes a source of uncertainty and disputes.
