through Government-Led Land Tenure Reform
and National Land Titling Initiatives
FEATURED PAPER
By Dr. Evance Moses Silumbwe
Kabwe, Zambia
Abstract
Land title allocation plays a crucial role in fostering sustainable urban development by providing security of tenure, promoting investment, and enhancing livelihoods. This study examines the process of land titling in Katondo, Kabwe, with a focus on how government-driven initiatives empower local communities and contribute to sustainable development. Through an analysis of land administration policies, stakeholder engagement, and the challenges faced in the formalization of land tenure, the study evaluates the effectiveness of current governance structures in facilitating equitable land distribution. Findings reveal that while government interventions have improved access to formal land ownership, bureaucratic inefficiencies, financial constraints, and inadequate public awareness continue to hinder progress. The study highlights the need for policy reforms, enhanced community participation, and improved institutional coordination to ensure an inclusive and sustainable land tenure system. By strengthening government-led empowerment programs, Katondo can serve as a model for balancing land security and sustainable urban growth in Zambia.
Keywords: Land title allocation | Sustainable urban development | Security of tenure | Government-driven initiatives | Land administration policies | Stakeholder engagement | Formalization of land tenure | Equitable land distribution
Significance of the Study
This study is significant as it addresses the critical intersection between land governance and sustainable urban development in Zambia, using Katondo in Kabwe as a case study. By focusing on the government’s role in land title allocation, the research contributes valuable insights into how formal land tenure systems can enhance community empowerment, reduce informal settlements, and stimulate socio-economic development (Deininger & Feder, 2009; UN-Habitat, 2014).
In the broader context of Zambia’s urbanization challenges, the findings of this study provide evidence-based recommendations that can inform national policy reform and improve land administration frameworks. The identification of key obstacles—such as bureaucratic delays, financial limitations, and low public awareness—offers practical guidance for policymakers, local authorities, and development partners aiming to build more transparent, inclusive, and efficient land titling systems (Zambia Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources [MLNR], 2017; Payne et al., 2009).
Moreover, the study elevates the importance of community engagement and institutional coordination in land reform processes, highlighting how local empowerment can drive long-term, sustainable change (Durand-Lasserve & Selod, 2009). By showcasing Katondo’s experience, the research serves as a potential blueprint for other urban areas grappling with similar land tenure issues, thus contributing to the national and regional discourse on land rights, urban planning, and poverty reduction (Rakodi, 2007).
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How to cite this paper: Silumbwe, E. M. (2025). Project on Enhancing Sustainable Development in Katondo, Kabwe, Zambia, through Government-Led Land Tenure Reform and National Land Titling Initiatives, PM World Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue VI, June. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/pmwj153-Jun2025-Silumbwe-project-on-enhancing-sustainable-development-in-Zambia-1.pdf
About the Author
Evance Moses Silumbwe, PhD
Kabwe, Zambia
Mr. Evance Moses Silumbwe, is presently employed as the Chief Building Inspector at the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development within the Kabwe Municipal Council, situated at Box 80424, Kabwe, Zambia. His professional research field includes the following research areas: Project Management, Water Distribution and Consumption, Spatial Planning, Administration & Management, Highways.
His academic background comprises: Recently accomplished a PhD in Administration & Management at the University of Zambia, spanning from 2021 to 2024. (Clear pass) A dissertation which included: Analysis of Management and Administration of State Land by the Local Authority in the Midst of Illegal Settlement: A Case Study of Excision Land in Kabwe, Central Province, Zambia; Completion of a Teaching Methodology Postgraduate Diploma from Kwame Nkrumah University, Zambia, in 2019–2020; Attainment of a Master’s degree in Project Planning Management from the Information Communication University of Zambia during 2015–2017; Participation in International Diplomacy Studies at the Zambia Institute of Diplomacy Studies in 2015; Diploma in Building Construction from Copperbelt University, Zambia, acquired from 2008 to 2012; Bachelors in Road maintenance and management -from University of Africa from 2012 to 2015; Completion of a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management from Cavendish University, Zambia, in 2008; Obtaining a Monitoring and Evaluation Certificate from the University of Zambia in 2006; Acquisition of a Project Planning Certificate from Technical Vocational Training College, Luanshya, Zambia, in 2005; Studied Business Administration at the University of Zambia in 2004; and Completion of Plumbing and Sheetmetal studies at the Lukashya Trades Training Institute in 1996–1997.
Furthermore, he is currently an active member of the Engineering Institute of Zambia. He can be contacted at silumbwemoses7@gmail.com
