World Bank approves $60 million for Panama cadaster modernisation program

The World Bank has approved up to $60 million in financing for Panama to transform its cadastral system, aiming to develop a multipurpose national digital platform. Currently only 36% of the national territory has cadastral information and 19% of properties are titled; the program expects to generate around 1,200 direct jobs.

The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has approved up to $60 million in financing to support Panama in transforming its cadastral system to modernise land management and improve access to property services, according to an official announcement. The Panama Cadaster Transformation Program for Results will develop a modern and integrated multipurpose national cadaster system, consolidating land and property information on a shared, up-to-date digital platform accessible to citizens, municipalities, and public entities.

The World Bank is a multilateral development institution providing financing and technical assistance. Currently only about 36% of Panama's national territory has cadastral information, mostly outdated, and only 19% of properties are titled, primarily in urban areas. The program will improve access to cadastral and land tenure services in selected areas, reducing time in property procedures and facilitating access to reliable information, strengthening legal security and productive land use.

This development matters for Panama's investment climate and land management sector, where improved legal certainty over land and better access to property information create conditions for productive investment and access to credit. The program is expected to generate around 1,200 direct jobs during implementation, linked to cadastral modernisation.

For the land administration and technology sectors, the program creates opportunities for digital platform development, surveying services, and property registration systems. Stakeholders including citizens, municipalities, private sector investors, and landowners stand to benefit from reduced paperwork times and increased access to reliable land information. The financing uses a Program for Results instrument linking disbursements to specific targets.