Commercialisation of land in Namibia’s communal land areas: A critical look at potential irrigation projects in Kavango East and Zambezi regions

Abstract

Large-scale land acquisitions by both foreign and local investors for agriculture, forestry and wildlife purposes, among others, remain a major challenge for African governments. In recent years, the Namibian government through various ministries received proposals from multinational agribusiness to develop large-scale agricultural irrigation projects. However, only a few of these proposed largescale projects have materialised or have been operationalised. This study is aimed at investigating land acquisitions by private and/ or foreign investors (large-scale agricultural investors) in Namibia’s communal land areas. The purpose of the study is, among others, to ascertain the socio-economic impacts of such deals on communities, whether legal requirements are adhered to before land for such deals is acquired or allocated, and whether community members can protect or defend their land rights or successfully oppose such deals if such is not in their interest.