A Case Study of Botswana’s
Land Administration System
FEATURED PAPER
By Samuel Zachariah
School of Graduate Studies
University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the impact of digitalization and innovation on Botswana’s land administration system. The primary focus is on how digital tools and processes have enhanced the efficiency, transparency, and service delivery within the context of land management in Botswana, a country striving to improve its governance framework and land management practices.
Design
This research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative data to understand the implications of digitalization on Botswana’s land administration system. The methodology integrates surveys, interviews, and document analysis to capture diverse perspectives on the transformation.
Methodology
Data was collected through structured surveys administered to 200 land management officials and citizens, providing quantitative insights into their experiences with digitalized land processes. Additionally, 20 in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including government officials, ICT experts, and land management professionals, were conducted to garner qualitative insights. Further, document analysis of official records, reports, and digitalization progress reports was carried out to supplement the primary data.
Approach
The data analysis utilized both statistical methods for survey data and thematic analysis for interview data. The statistical analysis sought to identify trends in transaction times, service efficiency, and user satisfaction. The thematic analysis explored key patterns, challenges, and opportunities identified by the stakeholders, providing a holistic understanding of the digitalization process.
Findings
The results reveal a substantial improvement in both the efficiency and transparency of Botswana’s land administration system post-digitalization. Key improvements include faster land transactions, reduced corruption, and increased public engagement. However, challenges such as insufficient digital infrastructure in rural areas and limited digital literacy among older and rural populations hinder the broader application of the digital system.
Research limitations/implications
This study is focused on Botswana, and thus the results may not be generalizable to other regions with different socio-economic contexts. Future research could benefit from comparative studies between Botswana and other countries undergoing similar digital transformations in land management.
Practical implications
The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted investments in both digital infrastructure and digital literacy programs, particularly for under-served and rural communities, to fully maximize the benefits of digital land administration systems.
Originality/value
This research contributes valuable knowledge to the field of land administration by addressing the relatively under-explored area of digitalization in land management systems in developing countries. It provides critical insights that can inform policy, practice, and future academic research in digital governance and land management.
Paper type: Research paper
Keywords: Digitalization, Innovation, Land Management, Land Administration, Botswana, Efficiency, Transparency
- Introduction
Land management systems are critical for ensuring effective and equitable distribution and utilization of land resources (Zevenbergen et al., 2016; Williamson et al., 2010). With the advent of digital technologies, many countries are transforming their land administration systems to enhance efficiency, transparency, and service delivery (Byamugisha, 2013; UN-Habitat, 2012). This transformation is driven by the potential of digital solutions to streamline processes, reduce transaction costs, and improve governance (Toulmin, 2009; World Bank, 2018). In the context of Botswana, digitalization of land management processes is seen as a strategic initiative to overcome historical inefficiencies and promote economic development through more effective land use planning and management (Wehrmann, 2008).
Botswana’s journey towards digital land administration has been marked by significant policy reforms and investments in technology infrastructure (Williamson et al., 2010). The integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), online platforms for land registration, and electronic databases has aimed to enhance the accuracy and accessibility of land records (UNCTAD, 2020). These advancements are expected to not only improve the efficiency of land transactions but also foster greater transparency and accountability in governance (Kaufmann and Vicente, 2011).
The objectives of this research are to evaluate the impact of digitalization on the efficiency of Botswana’s land administration system, identify the challenges faced in implementing digital technologies such as data security and privacy concerns (Bowen, 2009), and assess the benefits realized from these innovations in terms of economic development and sustainable land use (Creswell and Plano Clark, 2011).
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How to cite this paper: Zachariah, S. (2025). Digitalization and Innovation in Land Management: A Case Study of Botswana’s Land Administration System; PM World Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue III, March. Available online at http://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/pmwj150-Mar2025-Zachariah-digitalization-and-innovation-in-land-administration-a-case-study.pdf
About the Author
Samuel Zachariah
Gaborone, Botswana
Lusaka, Zambia
Samuel Zachariah is an experienced Systems Analyst with over 10 years of expertise in data protection, compliance, and systems management. He is currently a PhD candidate in Business and Management at the University of Zambia, and holds an MBA in Finance, along with various certifications, including a Diploma in GDPR and Data Protection.
Samuel has made significant contributions to national projects such as the Survey and Mapping Data Center Upgrade and the Integrated Geographic Information Systems initiative. His skills include strategic management, systems evaluation, risk management, and GDPR compliance. He has extensive experience advising senior management and implementing IT strategies in both the public and private sectors.
Currently, Samuel works as a Systems Analyst/Compliance Risk Officer at the Department of Lands in Botswana, focusing on data privacy, compliance, and risk mitigation while ensuring the security of sensitive information. He can be contacted at: samuelzachariah@yahoo.com
