What is the CVGFR in Ivory Coast?
The Village Land Management Committee (CVGFR — Comité Villageois de Gestion Foncière Rurale) is the local body responsible for land management at the village level. It participates in land surveys, the documentation of customary rights, and the resolution of land disputes.
Definition complete
The Local Land Governance Body
The CVGFR is established by Decree No. 2019-266 of March 27, 2019 as the basic body for rural land governance.
Mandatory Composition
- The village chief (or their representative): presides over the committee
- The land chief (or their representative): represents spiritual and customary authority
- The lineage chiefs or heads of major families: historically hold usage rights
- Two representatives of communities: ensure inclusivity of non-indigenous populations
- A youth representative: counterbalances gerontocracy
- A women's representative: protection of women's rights in rural successions
Role in Dispute Resolution
In the event of a dispute during the land survey, the sub-prefect refers the matter to the competent CVGFR. The committee has one month to attempt amicable settlement. If mediation fails, the dispute is submitted to a special departmental-level commission chaired by the prefect, and potentially to the courts thereafter.
Role in Registration
During the registration procedure for a rural Land Certificate (Decree No. 2023-238), in case of opposition, mediation first goes through the CVGFR (1 month), then through the judicial process if unsuccessful.
Sources juridiques
Décret n°2019-266 du 27 mars 2019 (domaine foncier rural coutumier). Décret n°2023-238 du 5 avril 2023.
Questions frequentes
How does the CVGFR resolve disputes?
Who can sit on the CVGFR?
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Autres termes du glossaire
The ADU (Attestation de Droit d'Usage Coutumier / Customary Right of Use Certificate) is the single, secure document that replaces the former Village Certificate as of January 1, 2025. Established by Decree No. 2021-784 and secured by the SIGFU (Decree No. 2021-862), it requires a triple signature (village chief, CVGFR president, developer) and a unique IDUFCI. The ADU is not a property title: it constitutes a provisional recognition opening the path to the ACD (Arrêté de Concession Définitive / Definitive Concession Decree) — the ACD published in the Land Register IS the Land Title. In practice, the time between ACD signature and its publication in the Land Register is often longer than the official 180 calendar days (BÂTIR N°004, 2022). Published ACD = published Land Title — same legal deed, two stages.
The Rural Land Agency (AFOR — Agence Foncière Rurale) is the public institution responsible for implementing rural land policy in Ivory Coast. It oversees land certification, registration of rural properties, and coordination of boundary demarcation and surveying operations.
Legal document drafted by a notary that formalizes the transfer of land ownership between a seller and a buyer. The notarized deed of sale is mandatory and confers authenticity on the transaction.
Legal entity that must be established with a minimum share capital of 2 million FCFA held by Ivorian nationals, holding an approval from the Minister responsible for Housing and a financial guarantee from a bank or insurance company.
The alienation price is the sum that the buyer must pay to the State to obtain the Definitive Concession (ACD — Arrêté de Concession Définitive) of urban land. Calculated by an ad hoc commission, it corresponds to the market value of the parcel according to the official schedule.