- 24 février 2026
- Envoyé par : Godwin TADOUDJE
- Catégorie : All others African Countries, BLOG, International, NAMIBIE
YILAA Namibia Featured in the FIG Young Surveyors Network Africa Bulletin
The Youth Initiative for Land in Africa (YILAA) Namibia Country Office is proud to announce its recent feature in the first 2026 bulletin of the FIG Young Surveyors Network Africa (FIG YSN Africa).
This recognition marks an important milestone, as Cathrine Marenga, Country Director of YILAA Namibia, has been highlighted as the Young Surveyor of the Month, becoming the first YILAA Country Director to receive this honour.
A Recognition of Youth Leadership in Land Governance
Cathrine Marenga is a land administration professional with a Master’s Degree in Spatial Science, specializing in Land Administration. Her work spans civil society, academia, and partnerships with development agencies and local governments. Over the years, she has contributed to initiatives focused on youth land rights, urban development, land use planning, and tenure security.
Her recognition by FIG YSN Africa reflects not only her individual leadership but also the growing impact of YILAA’s work in empowering young people to actively participate in land governance across Africa.
Driving Impact on the Ground
Among her most notable contributions is her involvement in the Tenure-Responsive Land Use Planning Project implemented in Okahandja, Namibia. Conducted in collaboration with key partners including UN-Habitat and the Global Land Tool Network, the initiative successfully improved land tenure security and livelihoods for over 3,000 households living in informal settlements.
Another significant milestone under her leadership was the launch of Namibia’s first Youth and Land Network, linked to a continental platform spanning more than 33 African countries. This initiative has strengthened youth engagement, advocacy, and knowledge sharing in land governance.
Inspiring the Next Generation
As part of her feature, Cathrine emphasized the importance of youth participation in shaping the future of land administration. She encouraged young Africans to join YILAA initiatives, highlighting that inclusive land governance cannot be achieved without strong youth representation.
She also underscored the importance of continuous learning, professionalism, and ethical leadership in building confidence and breaking barriers within the land sector.
Strengthening Partnerships for Inclusive Land Governance
The feature also highlights the strong partnership between FIG YSN Africa and YILAA, which continues to create opportunities for young professionals to collaborate, share knowledge, and drive innovation in land governance across the continent.
Looking Ahead
This recognition serves as both a celebration of progress and a call to action. As Africa’s youth population continues to grow, strengthening their involvement in land governance remains critical for sustainable development, social equity, and economic empowerment.
YILAA remains committed to providing platforms that empower young people to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to inclusive land governance systems across Africa.
