Land Governance And Land Deals In Africa: Opportunities And Challenges In Advancing Community Rights

Abstract

This article examines the converging focus on “governance” by those donors
and scholars who promote investment in land in Africa as well as by scholars
and activists who criticize what they call “land grabs.” This focus on
governance is particularly found in terms of understanding and assessing
socio-economic consequences among the communities for the land deals,
investment initiatives which have been accelerating on the continent over the
last decade and longer. This article expands the concept of governance by
examining how structures of authority and power are also involved in defining
who belongs, or who has claims to belong, to these territories. It explores the
topic of land deals and community rights through the conceptual lens of
governance and belonging, the ability to be recognized as part of the
community at various levels of action (including in terms of national
citizenship). It starts with an examination of the recent increase in land
investments in Africa, setting out its broad parameters, including public
criticisms raised and some of the protests around them, and noting some of
the key issues on which scholars have focused. In the next two sections, the
article analyses these processes through the conceptual lens of governance
and belonging as a way to bring out what the article proposes are key issues
for assessing matters on community rights in regards to investments concerning
natural resources in Africa, particularly over land. This analysis raises
questions about those who uncritically promote Free and Prior Informed
Consent as the solution to ensure “communities” approve any land deals.