The Bitter Fruit of a New Agrarian Model: Large-Scale Land Deals and Local Livelihoods in Rwanda

In a context of globalization and liberalization, Africa is increasingly confronted with the commercialization of its space. Various large-scale actors, including international private investors, investor states and local entrepreneurs, are constantly seeking to expand their land holdings for the production of food crops or biofuels. This paper presents two Rwandan case studies, and analyzes how large-scaled land acquisition by foreign and local elite players impacts on local livelihoods. On this basis, it identifies broader agrarian and social changes taking place in Rwanda and Africa. By way of conclusion, it provides clues as to how the tables might be turned in order to protect local livelihoods in the further evolution of Rwanda’s agriculture