Land Grabbing: Causes and Implications for Rural Development in the Global South— Evidence from the Benin Region

Resumo

For decades, both national and multinational economic actors have sought access to land, often leading to widespread land acquisition. In recent years, the rapid acceleration of land grabbing has raised concerns, necessitating an investigation into its causes and implications in the Benin region. This study employed both primary and secondary data, utilizing purposive sampling to select three communities within the study area, while systematic random sampling was used to select household heads. A total of 400 questionnaires were administered, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics based on a five-point Likert scale. The Friedman repeated measures method and the Kendall coefficient of concordance were applied to test and validate the study’s null hypothesis. Findings indicate that land grabbing has been a persistent issue in the region for over a decade, with most respondents (99.9%) acknowledging its long-standing presence. Legislative efforts to curb land grabbing were perceived as weak, and awareness of land registration documents, particularly the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), was notably low among respondents. The study identified rising land prices as a primary driver of land grabbing, exacerbated by speculative activities and external influences. Additionally, the implications of land grabbing were found to be significant, with respondents highlighting its hindrance to development as a major concern. The research further established that securing land ownership through Certificates of Occupancy is considered the most
effective strategy to mitigate the issue. To address these challenges, the study recommends strengthening legal frameworks to protect land rights, increasing public awareness campaigns through media and billboards, and ensuring that citizens understand the importance of stability for sustainable development. Moreover, it advocates for empowering traditional institutions to utilize both customary and formal legal mechanisms to resolve land disputes through customary courts within their jurisdictions.