
As part of Landesa’s ongoing Responsible Investments in Property and Land (RIPL) Project, Landesa staff conducted, in cooperation with Illovo Sugar Ltd, a study focused on Illovo’s operations in Malawi and on several land disputes faced by Illovo and others in Malawi. Key observations of the Malawi Case Study include the importance of consistent, two-way communication to promote positive relations between investors and communities; the need for corporate actors to place special emphasis on addressing land rights at the local level and earn social license; and the importance of taking specific measures to ensure that women are included among the beneficiaries of land-based investments.
View the RIPL Malawi Case Study (PDF).
Related news

New Brief: Mangrove Ecosystem Service Valuation in Indonesia’s New Capital City – IKN
Recognizing and integrating the ecosystem services of mangroves into planning decisions—complemented by conservation efforts and sustainable resource use through strengthened tenure rights—is essential to promoting sustainable land use in Indonesia’s intended new capital city.
December 11, 2025

Securing Land Tenure Beyond Formalization: A Look into Post-Titling Transactions
Land Portal — During a session at the Conference on Land Policy in Africa, Landesa Tanzania's Khadija Mrisho presented findings from the Land Tenure Assistance Project in Iringa District. She noted that while formalization is widely promoted as the antidote to tenure insecurity, reforms often overlook what happens after titles are issued.
November 19, 2025

Staff Spotlight: Joseph Chiombola
Meet Joseph Chiombola, Landesa’s Policy and Law Expert, Africa Region based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Joseph started working for Landesa in 2024.
November 18, 2025