By: Zacharia Jalloh, Ministry of Information and Civic Education
The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning is set to introduce a nationwide land title certificate system as part of Government’s ongoing reforms to improve transparency, accountability and security in land ownership.
The reform proposal has already been approved by Cabinet and, once enacted by Parliament, will require landowners across Sierra Leone to register their properties and obtain official 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 the country’s land administration system by providing greater clarity and certainty over land ownership.
He explained that under the proposed system, individuals would need to obtain a title certificate to have legally recognised ownership of land, stressing the importance of formal registration.
Minister Senesi said the reform would also provide significant economic benefits, particularly for large-scale landowners and agricultural investors. With properly documented land ownership, he noted, landowners would be better positioned to use their properties as collateral to access larger loans for agricultural and other productive investments.
He further said the reform would significantly reduce 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 emphasised 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 development as part of efforts to make services at the Ministry more accessible and efficient.
Minister Senesi explained that securing a building permit does more than provide legal authorisation for construction. It also enables applicants to benefit from expert guidance from the Ministry on appropriate construction standards, including where and how structures should be erected.
He urged the public to make use of the digital system and ensure that the necessary permits are secured before commencing construction.
Speaking at the press conference, William Sao Lamin, a Civil Society Activist commended Minister Senesi for what he described as significant transformation within the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning.
He 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 facilitating service delivery.
The proposed land title certificate system, once legislated, is expected to mark a major shift in Sierra Leone’s land administration, with Government seeking to strengthen land tenure security, reduce disputes and create a more transparent framework for land ownership and investment.
