Large–scale land acquisitions in sub–Saharan Africa

This dissertation contributes to the literature by providing evidence on the rising global phenomenon of investments in land through in–depth insights obtained from a cross–country study as well as from three case–studies based in sub–Saharan Africa. Chapter 2 contributes to the literature on the determinants of large–scale land acquisitions (LSLAs) in two regards: First, it conceptualizes LSLAs for agriculture and puts them in the context of foreign direct investments (FDIs). On the basis of this conceptualisation, we theoretically analyse whether the determinants of LSLAs for agriculture are different to those from FDI in manufacturing. We found that LSLAs for agriculture can be considered a specific subset of FDI yet the determinants are slightly different. Second, using data from the Land Matrix Global Observatory and UNCTAD we empirically examined these determinants. Chapters 3 and 4 mainly contribute to the literature on the processes surrounding land acquisitions and provide insights into the transmission channels through which LSLAs have welfare implications. Chapter 3 compares two investment cases in Ghana and Kenya, while Chapter 4 conducts a country case study of Zambia. Results suggest that in all three countries, the land governance systems are not prepared to handle the increased influx of investors in agricultural land. Weaknesses in the land governance system are exposed by LSLAs. The discrepancy between de jure and de facto land administration is salient. Weak de facto rules and their poor enforcement give powerful actors a distinct role in the acquisition process. Chapter 4 takes a closer look at the involved actors. Traditional and government authorities as well as investors negotiate land deals and determine how they are to be implemented. Local land users are often neglected in the process. Power relations between actors can change. For instance, the ongoing transformation from customary to state land results in a gradual shift in power ownership from traditional to government authorities. The influential role of certain actors also leads to diverse welfare implications: whether an investment turns out to be of overall benefit depends on those negotiating the deal. Both chapters find that LSLAs can have repercussions for the land governance system. Chapter 3 concludes that discontent with the current situation can fuel institutional change, in both customary and statutory rules. Hence, in such situations a window of opportunity can open up to reform the institutional framework. Chapter 5 looks in greater detail at consultations in land acquisition processes on the basis of a case study from Mali. Even though consultation is perceived to be important, tangible instructions for how to undertake it are shown to be currently lacking. This chapter hence contributes to the literature on LSLAs in developing a framework for the analysis of related consultations. Our framework departs from Chambers’ (2005) ‘ladders of participation’, and includes the dimensions of degree of influence as well as degree of inclusion. We use this framework to assess voluntary guidelines, private governance instruments as well as de jure and de facto consultation in Mali.