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

Over 35 million hectares of African land have been sold 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 alleviate poverty.
This is followed by significant tax revenues and the creation of national jobs.
At least 800 contracts have been signed on the continent since 2000. In 92 per cent of the cases, land transactions were carried out by private companies and more than half of the projects are partly or totally for export

Logging is the main focus of investment in Africa. 15.7 million hectares are concerned. The arrival of these Asian investors raises fears of an intensification of deforestation in Africa.