IISD Input to the LPI E-Consultation: Guiding Principles on large-scale land-based investments in Africa

The IISD provides a series of technical recommendations to strengthen the Land Policy Initiative's guiding principles for large-scale land-based investments in Africa. Key suggestions include requiring independent third-party verification of financial feasibility studies, integrating social and environmental impact assessments into risk management plans, and prioritizing domestic courts over international arbitration for dispute resolution. The IISD also emphasizes the need for comprehensive legislation covering water management, labor laws, and tax incentives, alongside clearer definitions of the rights and obligations of states, investors, and local communities.

• IISD recommends that investors be required to conduct financial and economic feasibility studies verified by an independent third party before signing contracts, with the resulting business plan approved by the government and incorporated into the contract.
• The document suggests that social and environmental impact assessments should form the basis for risk mitigation plans, which must be government-approved and subject to annual progress reports by the investor.
• IISD argues for a more detailed definition of stakeholder roles, suggesting state rights include project site monitoring, state obligations include equitable water distribution, and investor obligations include local employment, training, technology transfer, and purchasing local goods.
• The IISD recommends prioritizing domestic courts, tribunals, or mediation centers as the first choice for resolving disputes between governments and foreign investors, rather than encouraging international arbitration.
• The document highlights the need for the guiding principles to address water management policies to protect the water rights of other users and ensure equitable allocation.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (2014). IISD Input to the LPI E-Consultation: Guiding Principles on large-scale land-based investments in Africa. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/iisd_lpi_consultation_0.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. IISD Input to the LPI E-Consultation: Guiding Principles on large-scale land-based investments in Africa. 2014. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/iisd_lpi_consultation_0.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=IISD Input to the LPI E-Consultation: Guiding Principles on large-scale land-based investments in Africa |date=March 2014 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/iisd_lpi_consultation_0.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopment2014iisd, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{IISD Input to the LPI E-Consultation: Guiding Principles on large-scale land-based investments in Africa}}, publisher = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2014}, month = mar, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/iisd_lpi_consultation_0.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }