In 2025, as the world grapples with climate shocks, geopolitical instability, population growth, and global food insecurity, one thing remains certain: the question of land in Africa is as urgent and complex as ever.
While foreign investments in African land are often positioned as solutions to hunger and development, critics argue they may be sowing the seeds of new inequalities. So, is this the future of African agriculture, or the next wave of neocolonialism?
Let’s break it down.
What is a “land grab”?
A land grab refers to the large-scale acquisition of land, often agricultural land, by foreign investors, governments, or corporations, usually in developing countries.
These deals are typically made with host country governments and often involve long-term leases or outright purchases. While some land investments are transparent and mutually beneficial, land grabs are usually criticised for being exploitative.
They tend to happen without the consent of the people who live on and depend on the land, leading to displacement, loss of livelihoods, and community conflict.
In many African countries, where land is traditionally held under customary ownership, these acquisitions can feel more like modern-day colonialism than economic opportunity.
Why is land so important in Africa?
For many African communities, land isn’t just dirt; it is their identity, heritage, and livelihood. But in 2025, growing concerns about landlessness, insecure tenure, evictions, and disputes have pushed this issue back to the top of the development agenda.
Africa’s land tenure security and systems, often a mixture of customary and statutory laws, are under pressure. And while reforms have been attempted, they’ve largely failed to serve everyone fairly, especially rural and indigenous communities.
A common misconception: “Africa has plenty of land”
One of the biggest myths is that Africa has abundant “unused” land. In reality, much of it is already claimed under customary systems or is ecologically fragile.
And the best farmland is scarce and increasingly under the control of elites or foreigners. In fact, much of the land being acquired today is near rivers or has high soil fertility, which explains the strategic nature of these investments.
Global trends fueling land acquisitions in 2025
In today’s globalised economy, African land is shaped less by local needs and more by global demands. Key drivers in 2025 include:
- Food insecurity in foreign countries
- Biofuel demand as countries push for green energy
- Carbon markets and biochar production
- Speculative land investments by hedge funds
- Post-pandemic economic recovery strategies
In short, African farmland is increasingly being used to feed and fuel other nations instead of local communities.
Promises made vs. promises delivered
Supporters of foreign land deals say they bring jobs, infrastructure, and technology to Africa. Some agreements do include clauses for:
- Road and irrigation construction
- Employment quotas
- Knowledge and technology transfer
- Boosted agricultural productivity
But real-world results often fall short. Many deals lack transparency, are signed without local consultation, and fail to protect the rights of existing land users.
Recent reports from civil society watchdogs like GRAIN and the Oakland Institute for 2025 suggest that many of these promises remain unfulfilled, with local communities often excluded or displaced and receiving minimal compensation.
Who actually owns the land?
One of the root issues is tenure insecurity. In many African nations, most people don’t hold legal title deeds. Instead, they rely on long-standing traditional ownership (i.e., land their families have lived on for generations).
Governments, however, are the “legal owners” in many of these cases and can lease land to investors without consulting local residents. This leads to displacement, unrest, and political tension.
What’s changing in 2025?
Here’s what’s shifted in recent years:
- Digital land registries are expanding across some African nations, aiming to bring clarity to land rights. But digitisation without inclusivity risks entrenching inequality.
- Climate-driven migration has increased competition for land in regions such as the Sahel, Eastern Africa, and parts of Southern Africa.
- AI and satellite monitoring are now being used to track land deals, but enforcement remains weak.
- Climate-smart agriculture is gaining traction, but it often benefits large-scale investors more than smallholder farmers.
- ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing has prompted some investors to seek “responsible” land deals, although greenwashing remains a concern.
The human cost: Displacement and protest
These land deals raise important questions about land rights and economic development. Are they truly benefiting local communities, or merely serving the interests of global investors?
Here’s the reality: When communities are evicted from their land, the consequences are profound. People lose not just their homes, but their food sources, income, culture, and spiritual connection to the land.
Without compensation or resettlement plans, this can lead to civil unrest, land disputes, and violence. In 2024 alone, land-related protests erupted in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and parts of the DRC, often sparked by opaque foreign land deals.
What needs to change?
The future of land in Africa depends on transparency, ethical business practices, and a shared commitment to ethical investment in Africa. True progress means putting sustainable land use and investment at the heart of land policy decisions.
To ensure land deals don’t exploit Africa’s most vulnerable, several things must happen:
- Greater transparency in land agreements
- Mandatory community consultations and consent (FPIC)
- Balanced contracts that protect local rights
- Stronger legal frameworks and enforcement
- Inclusion of women and indigenous groups in land governance
- Academic and business institutions integrating social justice into investment education
As one activist put it, “When one loses their land, they lose their livelihood — and their identity.”
Programmes like those offered at REGENT Business School incorporate land reform modules that give students the tools to tackle complex issues like legal pluralism, land governance, and rural inequality.
FAQ
How are land grabs different from legal investment?
Land grabs often happen without community consultation, transparency, or fair compensation. Legal investments follow ethical standards, protect local rights, and aim for sustainable land use and investment.
Does REGENT offer modules on land, policy, and governance?
Yes. REGENT Business School offers modules that explore land reform, policy frameworks, governance, and sustainable development. These prepare students for careers in public policy, investment analysis, and land administration.
What careers involve land governance or investment analysis?
If you’re passionate about land rights and economic development, there are meaningful careers in policy, investment ethics, and rural development. You can pursue roles like:
- Policy analyst on land and rural development
- ESG or investment ethics consultant
- Land governance advisor or land rights advocate
- Development finance analyst
- NGO project coordinator in food sovereignty or land justice
- Legal advisor in land reform and customary land rights
These careers address real-world issues at the heart of African land ownership and investment ethics.
Is this development or displacement?
That’s the big question behind the land grabs in Africa. Are these deals helping to grow the continent, or are they simply pushing people off their land in the name of progress?
At REGENT Business School, we believe that development should never come at the cost of justice. That’s why we offer programmes that explore the deeper layers of African land ownership issues, policy frameworks, investment ethics, and land reform.
We equip future leaders with the knowledge to understand the impact of foreign investment in African land and how to design solutions that protect both economic development and rural livelihoods.
If you want to be part of shaping Africa’s post-colonial development future, now is the time.
Explore our programmes in Public Administration and start building a career that makes a real difference in your community and beyond.
