By: Isatu Yollah Bangura
The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning is set to introduce a nationwide land title certificate system as part of Government’s ongoing efforts to improve transparency, accountability and security in land ownership.
The proposed reform has already been approved by Cabinet and, once enacted by Parliament, will require landowners across Sierra Leone to formally register their properties and obtain official land title certificates.
Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesi, disclosed this at the Government Weekly Press Conference held at the Miatta Civic Centre on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
According to Minister Senesi, the introduction of land title certificates will fundamentally transform Sierra Leone’s land administration system by providing greater clarity and certainty over land ownership.
He explained that under the proposed system, individuals would be required to obtain title certificates to have legally recognized ownership of their properties, stressing the importance of formal land registration.
Minister Senesi said the reform would also provide significant economic benefits, particularly for large-scale landowners and agricultural investors. He noted that properly documented land ownership would enable landowners to use their properties as collateral to access larger loans for agriculture and other productive investments.
He further explained that the system would help reduce land disputes and incidents of land grabbing across the country.
“Land grabbing will soon be a thing of the past in Sierra Leone. The title certificate will be deployed systematically to ensure clarity in land ownership,” Minister Senesi stated.
The Lands Minister also emphasized the importance of obtaining building permits before commencing construction, urging members of the public to comply with the country’s planning and building regulations.
He disclosed that building permits can now be applied for and obtained digitally, describing the initiative as part of efforts to make services at the Ministry more accessible, efficient and convenient.
Minister Senesi explained that obtaining a building permit goes beyond securing legal authorization to construct. He said the process also enables applicants to receive expert guidance from the Ministry on appropriate construction standards, including where and how structures should be built.
He therefore urged members of the public to make use of the digital system and ensure that the required permits are obtained before commencing construction.
Also speaking at the press conference, civil society activist William Sao Lamin commended Minister Senesi for what he described as significant transformation within the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning.
Sao Lamin praised the improved orderliness and efficiency of the Ministry’s operations, while highlighting the establishment of a bank within the Ministry as an important step towards streamlining financial transactions and improving service delivery.
The proposed land title certificate system, once enacted into law, is expected to mark a major shift in Sierra Leone’s land administration. The reform is aimed at strengthening land tenure security, reducing disputes and creating a more transparent framework for land ownership and investment.