The public Land Matrix database reveals that Africa is the region of the world most targeted by large-scale land deals. Many Chinese, Emirati, Lebanese, American and European investors have acquired tens of millions of hectares of African arable land in concessions.

More than 35 million hectares of African land have been ceded to foreign capital over the past twenty years. Food self-sufficiency is the biggest alibi used by investors who claim to develop, industrialize agriculture and reduce poverty.
This is followed by significant tax revenues and national job creation.
At least 800 contracts have been signed on the continent since 2000. In 92 per cent of cases, land transactions were carried out by private companies and more than half of the projects are intended in part or in whole for export.

Forestry is the leading investment hub in Africa. 15.7 million hectares are affected. The arrival of these Asian investors raises fears of an intensification of deforestation in Africa.