Land, Youth and Conservation: Securing Africa’s Forests and Wetlands For The Future

By Christopher Burke

Africa’s forests and wetlands are under increasing pressure as rural-urban migration accelerates, driven by economic challenges, social aspirations and environmental stress. The expansion of cities, unregulated land use and agricultural encroachment are depleting these critical ecosystems, exacerbating climate change and biodiversity loss. At the heart of this challenge is land tenure security. Without clear land rights, efforts to conserve forests and wetlands remain fragmented and unsustainable. Securing tenure in these areas is necessary for climate resilience, sustainable agriculture and rural livelihoods; particularly for Africa’s youth who are profoundly affected by land insecurity and unemployment.

Rural-Urban Migration, Environmental Degradation, and the Youth Exodus

Africa’s population is overwhelmingly young with over 60 percent under the age of 25. This youthful demographic faces a severe lack of economic opportunities in rural areas compelling many to migrate to overcrowded cities in search of better prospects. Each year, an estimated 10 to 12 million young Africans enter the labor force, yet only about 3 million formal jobs are created annually leaving a significant number unemployed or engaged in precarious informal work. For those remaining in rural regions, insecure land tenure further restricts opportunities as the absence of recognized land rights hinders investments in agriculture, forestry and conservation associated enterprises. Limiting opportunities to sustain, let alone promote biodiversity.

Africa is experiencing a net loss of approximately 3.9 million hectares of forest annually, the highest rate of deforestation globally. Wetlands that serve as natural flood barriers and water filtration systems have also suffered with significant portions disappearing due to urban expansion, agricultural conversion and
encroachment. This environmental crisis coincides with the exodus of rural youth. Without clear land rights, young people are often excluded from land-based livelihoods that could engage them in sustainable land management. To retain youth in rural areas and prevent further environmental degradation, viable economic alternatives are essential. Secure land tenure can provide the foundation
for youth-led conservation enterprises, sustainable agriculture and climate-smart forestry. Without it, young people remain disconnected from land-based livelihoods, exacerbating both environmental degradation and urban unemployment crises.

The Role of Land Tenure Security in Empowering Youth and Conservation

Land tenure security is pivotal to the preservation of forests and wetlands, as well as the creation of opportunities for youth employment. Less than 20 percent of land across sub-Saharan Africa is formally documented, with the majority managed under customary tenure systems. However, these systems are increasingly under threat due to land grabbing, displacement, and unsustainable land use practices.
Young farmers, in particular, struggle to access land due to rising costs and limited financial resources, making it difficult for them to invest in sustainable enterprises. Without inclusion in land governance structures, many young people have little incentive to participate in long-term conservation efforts.

The Cadasta Foundation has been working with LandStack in India on the documentation of forest rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) to strengthen tenure security for tribal and forest-dwelling communities.

The initiative opens opportunities to adopt agroforestry and equitable ecologically sustainable farming on land where individual forest rights are recognized utilizing expedited mapping supported by the Cadasta platform. Securing agency is essential to trigger more just and impactful community-led conservation efforts stressed Pranab Choudhury, CEO and Cofounder of LandStack. Such projects demonstrate that securing land tenure not only safeguards vital ecosystems, but creates economic opportunities for young people reinforcing the link between environmental conservation and livelihoods.

Secure tenure provides young people with a vested interest in managing forests and wetlands sustainably. In Kenya, for example, reforestation initiatives in the Mau Forest have restored significant hectares of land while creating employment opportunities for youth in agroforestry and eco-tourism. In Ethiopia, social forestry programs have enabled young people to establish timber and non-timber
enterprises, enhancing forest cover and generating income. These successes demonstrate how secure land tenure can transform conservation efforts into viable economic opportunities for youth.

Wetland restoration also benefits from tenure security, especially in regions where rapid urban expansion has led to severe degradation. In Rwanda, community land titling programs have facilitated the restoration of degraded wetlands providing employment for local youth in replanting and eco-tourism. Young people with secure rights to land and natural resources are more likely to invest in conservation practices that ensure long-term benefits for both the environment and their livelihoods.

Securing Tenure in Critical Environmental Zones: A Youth-Centered Approach

Protecting forests and wetlands necessitates policies that specifically address the role of youth and their access to land. Recognizing customary land rights is one of the most effective strategies to involve young people in conservation efforts. Many African communities possess indigenous land management systems that have sustained forests and wetlands for centuries, but these systems often lack formal
legal recognition. Granting youth legal acknowledgment of customary land rights would encourage long-term investments in regenerative farming, forestry and conservation enterprises.

Investing in digital land mapping and documentation is also crucial for securing tenure for young people. Land disputes and tenure insecurity are exacerbated by the absence of formal land records. Uganda and Rwanda have successfully implemented digital land registries that clarify ownership, reduce conflicts
and enable youth entrepreneurs to access conservation grants and loans. Expanding these initiatives and incorporating customary land tenure systems across the continent can ensure that young people have the security and confidence to invest in sustainable land-based enterprises.

Linking land tenure security with conservation incentives is another critical measure. Such programs not only preserve the environment, but reduce deforestation rates and provide young people with tangible economic reasons to engage in environmental conservation. Integrating similar models into national conservation and land governance policies can promote long-term sustainability for both youth
employment and ecological restoration.

Moving Forward: Policy Priorities to Secure Land and Livelihoods for Youth

To address the challenges of deforestation, wetland degradation and youth unemployment, African governments must prioritize land tenure security as a cornerstone of economic and environmental policy. Strengthening land governance frameworks to ensure youth access to land should be a top priority. Land titling programs in Tanzania have been successfully utilized to promote youth engagement in agriculture. Simplifying bureaucratic procedures for land registration and inheritance will enable young people to secure land rights more easily and invest in sustainable practices.

Scaling up youth-centered agroforestry and wetland conservation programs is also essential. Governments, NGOs and development partners should expand funding for youth-led initiatives in reforestation, reforestation, wetland restoration and climate-smart agriculture. Providing technical training, financial incentives and legal support for young landowners will encourage long-term environmental stewardship.

Land tenure security must be integrated into Africa’s climate adaptation strategies. Climate change is intensifying land degradation, reducing water availability and increasing resource conflicts. Without secure land rights, young people will struggle to develop resilient livelihoods leading to further migration and ecological destruction. Ensuring that youth have access to land and resources is not just a
strategy for conservation—it is a necessity for economic stability and long-term sustainability.

Securing the Future for Africa’s Youth and Ecosystems

Africa’s forests and wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate, driven by land insecurity and unsustainable migration patterns. The exodus of rural youth, coupled with weak tenure systems, is accelerating environmental degradation and reducing Africa’s resilience to climate change. Securing land rights offers a clear pathway to reversing these trends. By empowering young people to manage and restore forests and wetlands, Africa can create sustainable jobs while safeguarding its natural
heritage.

Land tenure security is not only an environmental solution, but a social and economic imperative. The future of Africa’s ecosystems depends on young people having the right to own, conserve and invest in their land. Without immediate action, Africa risks losing both its forests and the next generation of conservation leaders. Strengthening land tenure security, integrating conservation incentives and
promoting youth-driven environmental restoration must be at the forefront of policy discussions. If African governments, conservation organizations and international partners take proactive steps, they can secure a future where forests and wetlands remain vital ecosystems supporting both biodiversity and human livelihoods for future generations.

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Christopher Burke formerly served as Senior Land Tenure Officer and VGGT Coordinator with United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO). He is currently an advisor at WMC Africa, a communications and advisory agency located in Kampala, Uganda. With almost 30 years of experience, Christopher has worked extensively on social, political and economic development issues focused on agriculture, governance, environment, communications and international relations in Asia and Africa.