A blockchain-based land titles registry in Namibia
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Date
2024
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
Land administration systems in many countries are vulnerable and lack transparency,
which leads to fraud, delays, and significant costs, especially in developing countries
like Namibia. This study aims to address these issues by proposing a blockchain-based
land titles registry to preserve land rights in Namibia, drawing inspiration from
successful implementations of countries such as Sweden. The study employs a
quantitative methodology, using synthetic data to simulate real-world land transactions
and scenarios, resulting in a controlled experimental environment. The research
findings reveal significant dissatisfaction among Namibians with the existing land
administration system as a result of various challenges encountered during land
registration. The study proposes a hybrid blockchain network as a promising solution,
balancing flexibility, transparency, and privacy, with the potential to reduce
bureaucratic delays and improve accessibility for all stakeholders. This network's
cryptographic foundation ensures data integrity and increases transparency in land
transactions, which may influence land rights protection and stimulate economic
growth. Despite its potential, the literature review identifies several challenges, such
as contract legality, co-ownership management, and legal framework alignment, that
must be addressed before widespread blockchain implementation can occur. This study
however lays the groundwork for future investigations into infrastructure scalability,
legal framework integration, infrastructure challenges, user adoption strategies, and
interoperability issues. These critical areas of research will help understand
blockchain's transformative potential for revolutionizing land administration systems
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Information Technology
Keywords
Blockchain, Land registry, Land administration, Smart contracts, Transparency, University of Namibia, Namibia