The role of development finance institutions in addressing the land tenure challenge for African smallholder farmers

This article explores the relationship between smallholder farmers in Africa, the status of their land and how this can potentially impact their access to finance. According to the World Bank agriculture employs 65percent of Africa's labour force and accounts for 32 percent of the continent's gross domestic product. Much of this agriculture comprises of smallholder farmers who are highly vulnerable. Yet, this could change if many smallholders could get secure land titling, and if this occurs Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) can play a vital role in providing further finance and other support to them.