**Land Grab or Development Opportunity? Agricultural Investment and International Land Deals in Africa** This report, produced by IIED, FAO, and IFAD, examines the trends and drivers behind large-scale land acquisitions in Africa, focusing on sub-Saharan Africa. It explores the characteristics of these land deals, the contractual arrangements involved, and their impacts on land access for rural people. The report draws on a literature review, qualitative interviews, national inventories of land acquisitions in five African countries, and qualitative case studies in Mozambique and Tanzania. It also includes legal analysis of applicable laws and a sample of land deals. The report highlights that while international land deals are emerging as a global phenomenon, they remain poorly understood. Key findings include significant levels of activity in land acquisitions, rising investment over the past five years, and the dominance of foreign investment. However, the report also notes the risks associated with these deals, including the potential displacement of local communities and the lack of transparency in contract negotiations. The report emphasizes the need for governments to ensure that land deals contribute to sustainable development, including through the promotion of inclusive business models and the protection of local land rights. It also calls for greater transparency and accountability in land deals, as well as the development of mechanisms to discourage speculative land acquisitions. The report concludes that while international land deals can bring economic benefits, they must be managed carefully to ensure that they do not undermine food security or the livelihoods of local communities. It recommends that governments, investors, and civil society work together to ensure that land deals are fair, transparent, and beneficial for all stakeholders.**Land Grab or Development Opportunity? Agricultural Investment and International Land Deals in Africa** This report, produced by IIED, FAO, and IFAD, examines the trends and drivers behind large-scale land acquisitions in Africa, focusing on sub-Saharan Africa. It explores the characteristics of these land deals, the contractual arrangements involved, and their impacts on land access for rural people. The report draws on a literature review, qualitative interviews, national inventories of land acquisitions in five African countries, and qualitative case studies in Mozambique and Tanzania. It also includes legal analysis of applicable laws and a sample of land deals. The report highlights that while international land deals are emerging as a global phenomenon, they remain poorly understood. Key findings include significant levels of activity in land acquisitions, rising investment over the past five years, and the dominance of foreign investment. However, the report also notes the risks associated with these deals, including the potential displacement of local communities and the lack of transparency in contract negotiations. The report emphasizes the need for governments to ensure that land deals contribute to sustainable development, including through the promotion of inclusive business models and the protection of local land rights. It also calls for greater transparency and accountability in land deals, as well as the development of mechanisms to discourage speculative land acquisitions. The report concludes that while international land deals can bring economic benefits, they must be managed carefully to ensure that they do not undermine food security or the livelihoods of local communities. It recommends that governments, investors, and civil society work together to ensure that land deals are fair, transparent, and beneficial for all stakeholders.