Land Tenure Security and Local Perceptions: Results of Mental Models’ Study and Implications for Governance in Northern Benin
The colloquium on 18 December 2025 was presented by Ms Mélika Vodounhessi, WASCAL, PIK & UniKassel (DecLaRe). Ms Vodounhessi presented about “Land Tenure Security and Local Perceptions: Results of Mental Models’ Study and Implications for Governance in Northern Benin”. Her presentation started with a background to land tenure on Northern Benin, were the Attestation de Détention Coutumière (ADC), a customary land title is prevalent. Using the “M-tool”, a tablet-based decision tool that offered 12 pre-defined icons representing the perceived consequences of secure tenure, including agricultural land investment, food security, conflict, and women’s empowerment amongst others, 300 participants across ten villages were interviewed and constructed cognitive maps. The results showed that participants largely associated ADC with positive outcomes, while there were clear differences across gender, migration status, and literacy level. The findings show clearly that tenure security offers not just a legal recognition but is also perceived as a gateway to well-being and stability.
The discussion among the 19 participants to the session touched upon the further development of the ADC which has been halted by government, but also upon the short- and long-term consequences of the ADC land title system especially for women. While there is a large-scale land reform taking place in Northern Benin, the ADC is only one (important) component thereof. Ms Vodounhessi was encouraged to present her findings to government representatives in charge of the land reform, through a well-placed policy brief or in-person presentation.
