Access to Land - Eritrea

Access to land for women in Eritrea

According to the Land Proclamation 58/1994 of Eritrea, in Eritrea there is no land ownership right but land use right as land is not a commodity. The proclamation gives equal right for all citizens that are 18 years old and above without any form of discrimination. Two tenure systems are common form of ownership in Eritrea namely; the Diesa which is communal or village ownership to land and the Risti which is private ownership by individuals or by a kinship group. 

The Eritrea Land Proclamation of 58/1994 was a milestone in improving women's right to land ownership. In 2009, based on the Land Proclamation of 1994 a land reform process was carried out to change customary mode of land acquisition. The main purpose of this land reform was to achieve a more equitable land allocation and to provide access to land for those who had previously had none.
Thus, women entrepreneurs have equal land use right as their male counterparts.

One of the important resources needed for businesses is land. Women entrepreneurs in Eritrea have equal right to land use as their male counterparts. This provides them an opportunity to expand their business activity and grow their businesses. 

Land use opportunities, land renting opportunities

Women entrepreneurs in Eritrea have the right to use land for business purpose and agriculture. They have also the opportunity to lease land for business and agricultural purpose.

Help for women in case of land conflict

Based upon the Land proclamation of Eritrea 58/1994, when conflict arises in relation to women’s access to land, the commission of land is the authority responsible to settle the dispute.

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Contact information

Ministry of Land, Water and Environment

Mr. Tsegai Teamrat
DG, Department of Land
Ministry of Land, Water and Environment