Reforming land tenure’s legal frameworks in developing countries : a comparative case study of Niger, Haïti, and South Africa

Abstract

This paper examines the design and implementation processes of new legal frameworks for land tenure in developing countries. In the light of three case studies with different legal, historical and cultural contexts – namely Niger, Haïti and South Africa – the study shows that they all face the same legal and implementation challenges while carrying out such reforms. The study highlights the limitations of classical and technical land tenure governance models as well as the weaknesses of the international framework and the influence of international assistance on this subject. Moreover, it demonstrates the need to consider the different social practices of land access and use, which go beyond the sole notion of land property. Building on this assessment, the study shows that the examination of legal pluralim is fundamental to consider the reform of land tenure’s legal frameworks, even though this step is not sufficient to create an efficient system for land tenure governance. It seems thus necessary to think the organization of these pluralities within a truly pluralist and ordered system. The study puts forward concrete, hands-on elements for implementing this concept at national levels.