This publication was produced by FIG Commission 7 — Cadastre and Land Management, Working Group 7.2, with the support of the Federal Polytechnic Ado‑Ekiti, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). The publication reviews the global status of Fit‑for‑Purpose Land Administration (FFPLA), examining achievements to date, remaining challenges, and pathways for scaling the approach at national level. Drawing on surveys and case studies, it highlights the conditions needed for success, including sustained political will, public–private partnerships, institutional embedding, social legitimacy, purpose‑led digitisation, and continuous data maintenance. The publication also explores how emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and mobile platforms can support FFPLA at scale.

FFPLA: From Concept to Global Practice

In the foreword, FIG Honorary President Emeritus Professor Stig Enemark describes FFPLA as a gamechanger for developing countries, offering an affordable and flexible alternative to conventional land administration systems that have often served only the elite. He commends the publication as a catalyst for wider global implementation.

Reflecting on nearly a decade since FFPLA was introduced in FIG Publication 60 (2014), Professor Rohan Bennett, Chair of FIG Commission 7, notes that the approach has become a key reference for land administration projects worldwide. Developed by FIG Working Group 7.2, the publication shares selected case insights from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, demonstrating practical applications and lessons learned.

Addressing Urgent Global Challenges

Ombretta Tempra, Chief of the Land, Housing and Informal Settlement Section at UN‑Habitat, highlights growing pressures on land systems driven by rapid urbanisation, climate change, conflict, and displacement—impacts felt most acutely by women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and the poor. She notes that GLTN has supported the documentation of land‑related data for over 400,000 households in recent years, while underscoring persistent barriers such as weak institutions, outdated laws, fragmented data, and limited financing.

A Call to Action

The publication concludes with a clear message: secure land rights are achievable and essential for climate resilience, gender equality, peacebuilding, and sustainable urban development. It is a concise and practical resource for governments, practitioners, educators, and development partners working towards inclusive and sustainable land governance.

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