Ethiopia Country Profile

Land Administration

Individual Corruption

The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission reports that leasing land is virtually impossible without bribing the city administration, and this practice is said to continue due to a lack of detailed and clearly laid out laws and directives. The lack of accountability makes it possible for officials to exploit loopholes and enrich themselves through corruption.

Business Corruption

Land distribution is reported by the African Development Bank 2003 to be one of the sectors in which corruption is institutionalised, and the US Department of State 2008 notes that state and ruling party-owned companies receive preferential access to land leases and credit.

Reportedly, sub-city administration officials working with land administration have developed an attitude that it is their right to take bribes. Corrupt practices involve facilitation payments as well as bribes in order to be allowed to keep land that is leased. Arbitrary interpretations of laws and regulations also occur. In one incident, it was reported that a public official slapped a client for refusing to bribe him.

Frequency

The World Bank & IFC: Doing Business 2009:
- It takes 13 procedures to register property over a period of 43 days, costing 7% of the property value.