Land but no livelihood? Strengthening land tenure security for poverty reduction in Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s economy relies heavily on smallholder agriculture, yet rural poverty persists despite the First-Level Land Certification (FLLC) program launched in 1998. While FLLC improved tenure security and investments, farmers’ inability to use land as collateral and youth rural- urban migration caused by limited access to land are critical shortcomings that persist. These constraints limit agricultural productivity and poverty reduction despite the introduction of different national strategies to tackle these challenges. This policy brief assesses FLLC’s con- tributions and limitations, and offers prioritized recommendations to transform ”land but no livelihood” into secure rural development. Key recommendations include updating land records and clearly defining use-rights, integrating rural and urban development strategies, and developing youth land access schemes.