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Why African Land Units Matter
Africa uses dozens of local land measurement units alongside international standards. A Nigerian farmer selling "4 plots" is describing something very different in Lagos (2,592 m²) versus Abuja (1,840 m²). An Egyptian farmer with "10 feddan" holds 4.2 hectares. A South African deed referencing "5 morgen" means 4.28 hectares. This tool compiles every African land unit in one place so buyers, sellers, agronomists, and investors can communicate accurately.
Complete Unit Reference
Standard international units (hectare, acre, m², km²) are used in official land records across Africa. Local units remain dominant in everyday transactions: the feddan in Egypt and Sudan, the morgen in South Africa and Namibia, the timad in Ethiopia, the arpent in Mauritius, and multiple plot sizes in Nigeria and Ghana. Football pitch comparisons are included as a universal mental reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hectares is a Nigerian plot?
A standard Nigerian plot (Lagos 60×120ft) is 648 m² = 0.0648 hectares. The Abuja/FCT plot is 460 m² = 0.046 ha. Some northern states use a 450 m² (15×30m) plot. Always confirm dimensions with the seller or surveyor.
What is a feddan in hectares?
1 feddan = 4,200 m² = 0.42 hectares = 1.038 acres. The feddan is the traditional land measurement unit in Egypt and Sudan, divided into 24 kirat (each 175 m²).
What is a morgen of land?
The Cape morgen used in South Africa and Namibia equals 8,567 m² = 0.8567 hectares ≈ 2.116 acres. It is a Dutch colonial unit still found informally in property descriptions.
What is a timad in Ethiopia?
A timad is a traditional Ethiopian unit roughly equal to 0.25 ha (2,500 m²). It literally means "the area a pair of oxen can plough in one day" and varies slightly by region and terrain.
How big is an arpent in Mauritius?
The Mauritian arpent equals 3,403 m² = 0.34 ha = 0.84 acres. It is a French colonial unit still widely used for sugar cane land and real estate in Mauritius and Seychelles.
What is a gasha in Ethiopia?
A gasha (also gasga) is a large traditional Ethiopian land unit equal to approximately 40 hectares (400,000 m²). It was historically used for large land grants.