Vol. 7 No. 1 (2025): Institutional Transparency of Urban Land Management in Ethiopia: a Case Study in Sebeta, Gelan and Sendaf-Bake Towns of the Oromia Region

The study examines the transparency of urban land management in Ethiopia considering the case of Sebeta, Gelan and Sendafa-Bake towns of the Oromia Region. To achieve the objective, the study employed a convergent research design within the framework of a mixed-methods research approach. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from primary and secondary sources. Interview schedules, interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis techniques were used to solicit information. The study used both probabilistic and non-probabilistic sampling techniques to select sample respondents. Statistical and context analysis methods were utilized to present and analyze the data. The findings of the study indicate that the land management system in the study area lacked a rigorous transparency system. In addition, more than sixty percent of the respondents stated that the level of transparency in the official activities of land management offices was limited. The study, based on the findings, recommends that governments at regional and local levels need to ensure that the land management system follows open, consistent, and clear service provision standards to provide impartial, objective, and non-discriminatory services to citizens. This helps to ensure that an efficient and effective land and land-related service system is consolidated in the study area