Land investments, accountability and the law: Lessons from West Africa

The recent wave of land deals for agribusiness investments has highlighted the widespread demand for greater accountability in the governance of land and investment. Legal frameworks influence opportunities for accountability, and recourse to law has featured prominently in grassroots responses to the land deals. Drawing on comparative socio-legal research in Cameroon, Ghana and Senegal, this report explores how the law enables, or constrains, accountability in investment processes. It develops a conceptual framework for understanding accountability; assesses how national law in the 3 countries influences opportunities for accountability; and provides pointers for research and action.