Gouverner la terre par les instruments: Une analyse socio-historique du processus de digitalisation des procédures foncières au Cameroun à partir du Réseau Géodésique national

Abstract

At the end of the 2010_S the Ministry of Domains, Cadastre, and Land Affairs of Cameroon lauched an ambitious land reform focused on modernising the national cadastre. As part of this initiative, a National Geodetic Network was established to replace the older, heterogeneous reference frame works inherited from previous periods. These earlier systems, based on a collection of independent geographic points, were used for mapping and planimetric work but had significant technical limitations. This fragmentation of reference systems largely contributed to the vulnerability of land registry, which was frequently contested or the subject of disputes.

For local populations, the introduction of the geodetic network is seen as a tool to pacify land relations and reduce property conflicts. For the State, it represents a strategic instrument to enhance the accuracy of mapping, boundary demarcation, and infrastructure development, while also facilitating the issuance of more reliable and traceable digital land titles. However, more than a decade after its launch, the project has struggled to achieve its intended outcomes. This slowdown raises questions about the technical, institutional, and financial obstacles that continue to hinder the effective implementation of the reform