Rethinking the water dimension of large scale land acquisitions in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

There is a new phenomenon in developing countries where land previously used by communities is being taken over by foreign investors (mostly from Europe, America, China, Gulf States, and other non-western countries) and governments for agriculture, mining and other economic projects. Findings from several studies have so far pointed to the controversial impact of large scale land acquisitions (LSLAs) on affected communities. LSLAs go along with water grabbing but the latter is often (consciously or unconsciously) omitted in the land deals. This has broad effects on the livelihood of local communities, particularly women. This paper uses many examples and arguments from desktop review to describe land grabbing in Africa and examines the extent to which community rights to water are taken into consideration or neglected in land deals; and the likely effects on women. It interrogates the levels of accountability of foreign investors vis-a-vis landed communities and concludes among others that most land deals neglect communities’ rights both to land and water. Women tend to pay a heavy price in the process because they are traditionally responsible for water collection and the provision food for the household. Key words: Land grabbing, water grabbing, accountability, local communities, women, livelihood.