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This case study has been produced in response to a request made to the Evidence on Demand Helpdesk. The objective of the request was to provide a detailed case study on the evolution of land policy in Mozambique and provide the reader with insights into what is viewed as one of Africa’s most progressive land laws, recognising multiple forms of tenure. Mozambique has experienced accelerated rates of growth over the past decade, averaging 7.2% per year, with projected growth rates of over 8%. However, this high growth rate has failed to translate into significant reductions in poverty and inequality has increased in almost all parts of the country. While growth has been driven by capital-intensive projects, mainly in the extractives sector, agriculture is seen as an important foundation for economic development and there has been a high level of interest in acquiring large tracts of land for investment over the past six years. Mozambique is one the most land-abundant countries in Africa, with around 80 million hectares (has). Currently, only five million hectares are cultivated, mainly by smallholders under rain-fed, traditional systems, and only 3-5% of landholdings are formally registered.

DOI: 10.12774/eod_hd.march2014.locke