Within GEOARCHI, Coffi Fiacre Fortuné Nouwadjro analyzed land transition in Benin and its implications for territories.
Coffi Fiacre Fortuné Nouwadjro, chercheur·e au sein de GEOARCHI (Université de Bretagne Sud).
Thèse soutenue en 2023 à l'école doctorale École doctorale Espaces, Sociétés, Civilisations (Rennes ; 2022-....).
Référencée dans le réseau ABES/STAR, cette thèse répond aux critères de rigueur de l'enseignement supérieur français.
The issue of land access is a fundamental challenge in Benin, particularly in the municipalities of Porto-Novo, Avrankou, and Bonou. This topic, which may initially appear to be a simple property issue, actually has profound implications on economic, social, and cultural levels. The thesis highlights the complex dynamics governing traditional and modern land tenure in a context of globalization, where local issues clash with global forces. The results of this research show a significant increase of 20% in land transactions between 2015 and 2020, indicating a certain economic dynamism. However, this growth is not without shadows, as it also reveals that 80% of rural households in Bonou face difficulties accessing land. These figures illustrate the tension between the rise in land transactions and the persistent obstacles to land access for local populations, thus creating a paradox that deserves to be explored in depth.
Land governance is at the heart of this issue. The land management structures inherited from colonization, which have long been considered reference models, no longer meet the contemporary needs of communities. These structures, often rigid and disconnected from local realities, must be rethought to align with the aspirations and values of the populations. For example, in the context of land management in Porto-Novo, it is essential to take into account the ancestral practices that govern land use while integrating the requirements of modern land tenure. The thesis proposes strategic recommendations, notably the need to integrate cultural values into territorial development policies. This could allow for a reconciliation of ancestral practices with the demands of modern land tenure, thus fostering a more harmonious transition.
It is also crucial to strengthen the capacities of municipalities in land management. This involves tailored training and institutional support. Decision-makers must be aware that land transition cannot occur without active community involvement. For example, awareness and training initiatives on land rights could be implemented to inform populations about their rights and the procedures for acquiring land. Policies must be co-constructed with local stakeholders to ensure their effectiveness and acceptability. This involves creating dialogue spaces where community voices can be heard and taken into account in the decision-making process.
In summary, this research paves the way for a deep reflection on land management in Benin. The stakes are multiple: economic, social, and cultural. Land transition must be approached in an integrated manner, taking into account local specificities and global challenges. For instance, rapid urbanization in municipalities like Porto-Novo exerts increased pressure on agricultural land, necessitating thoughtful and sustainable urban planning. Decision-makers have a key role to play in steering this transition towards a more inclusive and sustainable model. It is imperative to establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to measure the impact of land policies on communities, in order to adjust strategies based on the results obtained.
Finally, it is essential to recognize that the land issue in Benin is not limited to a simple technical problem. It is intrinsically linked to issues of social justice and equity. The most vulnerable populations, often marginalized in decision-making processes, must be at the center of decision-makers' concerns. By integrating community voices and valuing local knowledge, it is possible to build a land system that is both just and sustainable, capable of addressing contemporary challenges while preserving the cultural and environmental wealth of Benin.
Données clés
- 20% : augmentation des transactions foncières à Porto-Novo et Bonou entre 2015 et 2020.
- 80% : des ménages ruraux de Bonou rencontrent des difficultés d'accès à la terre.
Accéder à l'étude complète
Sources et accès
Coffi Fiacre Fortuné Nouwadjro. La transition foncière au Bénin : entre résilience et adaptation du foncier traditionnel dans les espaces urbains, périurbains et ruraux. Cas des communes de Porto-Novo, Avrankou et Bonou au Sud-Bénin. Histoire. Université de Bretagne occidentale - Brest, 2023. Français. ⟨NNT : 2023BRES0055⟩. ⟨tel-04551621⟩