Discover how the Responsible and Innovative Land Administration (REILA) project is revolutionizing land management in Ethiopia. With a focus on empowering rural communities, ensuring land tenure security, and driving innovation, REILA has become a cornerstone for sustainable development.
Learn MoreWho we are
The Responsible and Innovative Land Administration (REILA) project is a collaborative initiative by the governments of Ethiopia and Finland, launched in 2011. Over two phases, it has revolutionized Ethiopia’s rural land administration, setting the stage for equitable, sustainable, and inclusive land management.
For over a decade, the REILA project has been transforming Ethiopia’s rural land sector through innovation, collaboration, and digitalization. Our efforts ensure secure land tenure, empower rural communities, and promote sustainable land management practices.
The Second-Level Land Certification (SLLC) program, a core component of the REILA Project, is revolutionizing land tenure security in Ethiopia. By issuing detailed and legally recognized land certificates, the initiative has empowered millions of rural landholders, ensuring secure ownership, reducing disputes, and fostering economic growth.
The REILA Project has pioneered cutting-edge technologies to modernize Ethiopia’s land registration, certification, and administration processes. By integrating digital land information systems, geospatial technologies, and advanced surveying methods, REILA has established a cost-effective, scalable, and transparent land tenure system.
Key Technologies Driving Land Certification
The REILA Project is committed to inclusive and equitable land administration, ensuring that women, marginalized groups, and vulnerable communities benefit from secure land tenure. Through gender-sensitive policies, affirmative actions, and public awareness initiatives, REILA promotes equal land rights and active participation in land governance.
Key Initiatives for Social Inclusion
The REILA Project has played a critical role in strengthening Ethiopia’s land administration sector by implementing extensive capacity-building programs. These initiatives have equipped land administration personnel, surveyors, policymakers, and communities with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary for effective and sustainable land governance.
Key Capacity-Building Initiatives
We work with
What we've done
What they are saying about us
The REILA program’s 15-year journey in Ethiopia, a collaborative effort with Finland to advance rural land administration. Through innovation, digitization, and inclusive practices, REILA strengthened tenure security, governance, and sustainable land management, empowering millions. As REILA III launches, we thank partners for their commitment to Ethiopia’s rural transformation and prosperity.
Ethiopia-Finland’s REILA project, securing rural land rights for millions through inclusive digital systems (NRLAIS) and 30M certifications. Over 15 years, it empowered women, enabled land-based loans, and advanced tenure security. As REILA III begins, we thank partners for driving sustainable land management and Ethiopia’s rural prosperity.
REILA’s 13-year journey with Ethiopia’s rural land sector, showcasing Ethiopia-Finland collaboration in securing 30M land certifications, establishing the NRLAIS digital platform across 450 woredas, and empowering women/vulnerable groups. Highlighting inclusive reforms, capacity-building, and sustainable practices, it underscores REILA’s role in fostering tenure security and rural economic growth. REILA III continues this transformative partnership.
Our Hardworking Team
Contact Us
MOA of Ethiopia
info@reila-ethiopia.com
; SE Asia (Myanmar); Europe (Bosnia Herzegovina, Slovenia) and the Americas (Brasil, Guatemala, Haiti). He has worked with a range of multilateral and bilateral organisations, including the FAO, UN-Habitat, UNDP, World Bank, EU, DFID, Millennium Challenge Corporation, Dutch Government, Danida, USAID, as well as with NGOs and private sector operators. He has broad experience in policy and strategy advise, program design, project management, monitoring and evaluation, research, strategic assessments, training and capacity building. He has an excellent overview of land and natural resources governance systems at different levels and in different contexts – land administration, agrifood systems, climate change, land based investment, conflict and post disaster management, biodiversity conservation. Paul has skills and understanding to strategically link these into coherent policies and programs. He is currently Chief Technical Advisor of the REILA project for NIRAS/Finland in Ethiopia.</p>\n','','','','')){kind=link}
){kind=link}
 Manager, Yohannes plays a key role in the development, installation, implementation, and enhancement of digital land administration systems across Ethiopia. His work focuses on the management of system development, rollout, data management, system integration, training, and improving digital cadastral systems to ensure efficient land governance and tenure security.</p>\n<p>Yohannes is actively involved in the Responsible and Innovative Land Administration (REILA III) Project, where he contributes to strengthening the sustainability and expansion of NRLAIS, integrating it with non land institutions, and ensuring its effective use in the land sector. His efforts support land tenure security, access to finance for smallholder farmers, and data-driven decision-making in land administration. Through his leadership, NRLAIS is being optimized and expanded, improving its role as a crucial land governance tool in Ethiopia.</p>\n<p>With extensive international exposure, Yohannes has participated in knowledge exchange programs in Austria, Finland, South Korea, the Netherlands, Germany, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire, and Djibouti. He has collaborated with global organizations such as Hansa Luftbild AG (Germany), Sivan Design (Israel), the World Bank Group, USAID, GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), and IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development).</p>\n<p>With over a decade of experience in GIS, database development, LIS, technology and leadership, he has contributed to capacity building by training professionals at federal, regional, and woreda levels. His technical expertise extends to programming, data quality assurance, data mining, system integration, and machine learning applications in geospatial data processing. Yohannes is committed to leveraging technology for sustainable land management and digital transformation, actively engaging in conferences and international collaborations to enhance land governance frameworks, climate-smart agricultural practices, and cross-border land administration efforts.</p>\n','https://x.com/ReddaYohannes','https://web.facebook.com/johnredda','https://www.instagram.com/johnredda','https://www.linkedin.com/in/yohannes-redda/')){kind=link}
 alongside dual bachelor’s degrees in accounting and management, Zemelak combines a strong educational foundation with hands-on experience in overseeing complex financial and procurement operations. In addition to his academic qualifications, Zemelak has earned various certifications related to Finance and Procurement, further enhancing his professional capabilities.</p>\n<p>In this project, Zemelak plays a pivotal role in driving financial and administrative efficiency, ensuring resource optimization, and overseeing procurement processes. His responsibilities include managing supplier relationships, ensuring cost-effective sourcing, and upholding compliance with procurement regulations and standards. By leveraging analytical skills, a deep understanding of financial systems, and his procurement expertise, Zemelak contributes to achieving the project’s goals with precision and accountability.</p>\n','','','','https://www.linkedin.com/in/zemelak-zena-aa35b443/')){kind=link}
.</p>\n<p>On top of that, he was able to establish and operationalize a strong M&E system for the CALM P4R Program funded by the World Bank and implemented by the RLAUD/MoA that can be considered as one of the key supports provided by REILA Projects for Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture.</p>\n','','','','https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherinet-zewdie-71403a45/')){kind=link}
 project, managed by NIRAS Finland.</p>\n','','','','https://www.linkedin.com/in/workwoha-mekonen-02a21b74/')){kind=link}
', 'https://www.reila-ethiopia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Aschalew-Photo-e1740773768145.jpg', 'Senior Consultant, SCA & SM', '<p>Dr. Aschalew Kassie is a renowned expert, and Ph.D. in water resource engineering and management with over 25 years of experience in sustainable soil management, climate-resilient agriculture, and hydrology. With a strong foundation in soil (MSC) and plant sciences (BSC), he has played a pivotal role in Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation, from grassroots implementation to policy formulation. Skilled in GIS and remote sensing, he integrates technology for effective land, crop, and water resource management. As a sought-after trainer, he has led numerous capacity-building initiatives in soils, agronomy, GIS, and hydrology, and his extensive research contributions have earned him recognition in peer-reviewed journals.</p>\n<p>As the Sustainable Soil Management (SSM) and Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Expert in the REILA III project, Dr. Aschalew leads the planning, implementation, and supervision of all SSM and CSA activities. He designs training programs, develops soil testing systems, and enhances institutional capacity for soil quality assessments. His work includes piloting NRLAIS in SSM and CSA, creating advisory tools for land valuation, and supporting farmers with access to finance and crop insurance. Additionally, he collaborates with key stakeholders, provides parcel-based soil information knowledge products, and innovative parcel-based SSM and CSA cards for pilots, and assesses the capacity of the extension system for integrating SSM and CSA with land certification, and develops communication strategies to share lessons from REILA pilots.</p>\n','https://x.com/aschalewkassie1','https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006939347113','','https://www.linkedin.com/in/aschalew-kassie-64a343ba')){kind=link}
 at Amhara region Land bureau and had graduated with MSc in Land Resources Management and BSc in Natural resources management in Bahir Dar University, BA in Management in Alpha University college. He is also fluent in both Amharic and English He has 14 years and 10 months experiences with proven and chief experiences in Extensive land administration systematic registration process expertise, project coordination leadership, in capacity building and training, Natural resources management and environmental conservation expertise, In stakeholder engagement and advocacy, SLLC and NRLAIS Data Management & Quality Control, Comprehensive Program Management, different breakdown Planning with different stakeholders project coordination, systematic and regular monitoring and periodic progress reporting in the DAI FCDO LIFT programme with the position of regional RLAS coordinator, oversaw financial Management & budgeting with financial teams, Risk Management, regional SLLC deputy coordinator, regional Land advisor at different governmental structures.<br />\nHe has also demonstrated experiences in the fields of Agricultural Development (supporting and coordinating Livestock management, crop production, Market Linkages for agricultural productions as value chain management at grass root community up to regional level in Bahir Dar city agriculture, land administration and environmental sustainability office as Environment Development Expert and Supervisor.</p>\n<p>He has also generic and confirmed experiences in the fields of land administration management, natural resources management and environmental conservation with climate smart agriculture and sustainability projects with Land Rights Awareness, Technical Guidance & systematic and regular monitoring and periodic progress reporting & Documentation, Support for Vulnerable Groups, Project Sustainability, creative innovative ideas & formulating best Practices, Collaboration and coordination with Other parallel Projects, training & Capacity Building for experts and stakeholders, NRLIAS data Verification and quality assurance, Land certification Processes for land holders, data backup & formulate IT best Practices, collaboration & resource management, system supervision in REILA III project. </p>\n','https://x.com/GebreyeM','https://web.facebook.com/Gebeyemaru','https://www.instagram.com/gebryemaru/','https://www.linkedin.com/in/gebremichael-maru-21663114a')){kind=link}