Addis Ababa — Large scale investments in agriculture were the focus of a three-day conference co-organized by the Land Policy Initiative (LPI) on the theme "Agricultural Investment, Gender and Land in Africa." The Conference was held between 5 and 7 March 2014, in Cape Town, South Africa.
The Conference provided a forum for in-depth discussions and experience sharing on large scale land investments. Participants deliberated on approaches to agricultural investments which can benefit AfricanStates and their citizens. They have analyzed qualitative and quantitative evidence on investments, and commented on actions required to improve the experience of Member States with land investments. Ambassador Gertrude Mongella, former and first President of the Pan African Parliament, opened the Conference reminding participants that land is critical for dignity, development, and investment in Africa. She underlined that, as long as women did not own land, they would not have meaningful decision-making power over the use of land. Ambassador Mongella also warned against the poor management of large scale investments in land, which could create a new class of marginalized and landless labourers in Africa. The LPI presented the draft Guiding Principles (GPs) on Large Scale Land Based Investments (LSLBI) to participants. The document is meant to guide decision-making on LSLBI, and to provide AfricanMemberStates and other stakeholders with directions on how to realize land investments in land that are sustainable and profitable to African economies and people. Creating a basis for effective coordination and collective responsibility, the GPs also provide investors with a tool to inform their responsible engagement with African governments, traditional authorities, and other actors. The GPs offer a basis for developing a monitoring and evaluation framework to track and evaluate LSLBI in Africa. The LPI will facilitate further stakeholder consultations on the draft GPs, including an e-consultation to which delegates were invited.
The Conference culminated with reflections on required actions from various stakeholder groups including governments, civil society, researchers, and the private sector. African governments' representatives highlighted the need for their continuous involvement in LSLBI, in order to establish policy frameworks that are beneficial, transparent, and in accordance with national and regional laws, and with global conventions. It was equally noted that governments need to prioritize investments that are inclusive and gender equitable. Governments were challenged to demonstrate political will for the improved governance of LSLBI and to create space for the participation of all stakeholders.
The closing session of the Conference comprised the mapping of key upcoming LSLBI moments, and the official ceremony.
Close to 200 delegates attended the Conference, representing agricultural and related sectors, governments, parliaments, women and farmer organizations, other social movements, international non-governmental organizations, private sector, academia, and philanthropic organizations.
The Conference was jointly organized by the LPI, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS), and the Future Agricultures Consortium.
The LPI is a joint programme of the tripartite consortium consisting of the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Its purpose is to enable the use of land to lend impetus to the process of African development.
