Des parcelles sans valeur bancaire : Le coût caché du désordre foncier
To obtain a large loan, a bank almost always requires collateral. Most often, this is real estate—a house, land, or warehouse—that can be seized in case of default. But this property must first be legally recognized and clearly identified. This is where the land registry comes in.
The land registry is a public register that lists and maps land parcels, indicating their location, area, and the identity of their owners. It allows for precise identification of who owns what, preventing conflicts and double ownership. In countries where it is complete, digitized, and regularly updated, it is a cornerstone of legal security and economic financing.
In Senegal, as in many African countries, the situation is more complex. A large portion of the land lacks definitive land titles. Occupancy rights are often based on local administrative decisions, municipal resolutions, or customary recognitions. These documents may attest to land use, but they do not always guarantee fully secure and enforceable ownership rights.
For banks, this uncertainty represents a risk. In the event of default, they must be able to sell the asset used as collateral. If the ownership is questionable, improperly registered, or subject to litigation, the value of the collateral becomes uncertain. As a result, even an entrepreneur with land or a building can be refused credit due to the lack of a clear title.
The effects are particularly pronounced for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Many possess real assets, but these are not registered. In a context where the informal sector represents more than 40% of the gross domestic product, according to the Directorate of Forecasting and Economic Studies, this inability to use land as collateral hinders productive investment. Projects for expansion, equipment purchases, or agricultural processing remain limited by restricted access to financing.
The lack of a reliable land registry is therefore not simply an administrative problem. It hinders the transformation of land assets into economic capital. Land without a secure title represents stagnant wealth. Conversely, clearly registered property becomes a lever for obtaining resources, developing business activity, and creating jobs.
Land modernization and digitalization programs are underway, with the aim of better mapping and securing land parcels. Their success will partly determine the expansion of access to credit. As long as property ownership remains legally ambiguous, banks will continue to lend with caution. Behind the land debate lies a central issue of economic development.
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