Assessing the effectiveness of rural cadastre implementation: evidence from second-level land certification in northwest Ethiopia

This study evaluates the effectiveness of rural cadastre implementation under Ethiopia’s Second-Level Land Certification program using evidence from West Belessa, Amhara region. A concurrent mixed-methods approach combined data from 277 households, 30 experts, and qualitative interviews. The analysis covers institutional, technical, legal, and community dimensions. Results show moderate effectiveness, with challenges including limited institutional capacity, weak coordination, technical inaccuracies in boundary demarcation, poor data updating, and weak legal enforcement with low awareness. Community participation is also limited. Despite these issues, the cadastre system has improved tenure security. Strengthening institutions, technology, legal enforcement, and community engagement is essential for improved implementation.