Washington, D.C., April 29, 2026 - The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved up to $60 million in financing to support Panama in transforming its cadastral system to modernize land management and improve access to property services. This initiative will help strengthen investment climates and generate employment during its implementation.
The Panama Cadaster Transformation Program for Results will make it possible to develop a modern and integrated multipurpose national cadaster system, where information on land and properties is consolidated on a shared, up-to-date digital platform that is accessible to citizens, municipalities, and public entities.
Currently, only about 36 percent of the national territory has cadastral information, which is mostly outdated, and only 19 percent of properties are titled, mostly in urban areas. This project will improve access to cadastral and land tenure services in selected areas, reducing time in property procedures and facilitating access to reliable information, thus contributing to strengthening legal security and productive land use.
"The modernization of the national cadaster is a key element in strengthening the State's capacity and moving toward a more transparent and orderly system. This program will provide us with up-to-date and reliable information on ownership, improve valuation, and organize processes related to land. Through this project, the country continues to move towards a more efficient public administration and the strengthening of public finances in an equitable and transparent manner, for the benefit of Panamanians," said Felipe Chapman, Minister of Economy and Finance.
"For many people, not having a title to a property means living in insecurity and without access to opportunities. This program will facilitate access to reliable land services that strengthen people's rights and ability to generate income," said Juan Pablo Uribe, Division Director of the World Bank. He added "that a more reliable land system creates better conditions for investment and the generation of employment in the benefited communities."
The program is expected to generate around 1,200 direct jobs during its implementation, linked to cadastral modernization, while indirectly benefiting the private sector and landowners by improving conditions for productive investment, access to credit, and territorial planning. It will also strengthen the state's ability to plan and invest more efficiently.
The operation will be financed through a Program for Results (PforR) that links disbursements to the fulfillment of specific targets, such as improvements in cadastral services, reduction of paperwork times, and increased access to reliable and up-to-date land information.
This operation supports a US$95.15 million program to modernize Panama's multipurpose national cadaster, which combines World Bank and Government of Panama resources, and will be implemented by the National Land Administration Authority (ANATI).
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
Learn more about the World Bank's work in Latin America and the Caribbean.
