Madagascar is a country with an abundance of natural resources that have attracted an increasing number of investments and tourists. The economy of the country is largely dependent on agriculture, which also provides the livelihood for more than 60% of the population. However, the economic growth of the country slowed down after de coup d’etat of 2009, which was in part the consequence of the government’s decision to grant or lease agricultural land to a South Korea company.

Madagascar has both a formal land tenure system and a community-based customary land tenure system. The Land Law of 2005 classifies land as state or private, establishes land tenure types and provides procedures for land registration. The Law No. 2006-031 sets the juridical regime for untitled private property and it established the procedures for individuals and groups to obtain certificates in order to recognize their rights from the local land administration offices.

Land disputes generally involve individuals and families over land ownership and individuals and the state over the control of land and natural resources, which are often the consequence of the co-existence of a formal and customary land tenure system. Conflicts are generally resolved within the communities thanks to clearly defined land tenure rules and process. However, it is possible that the two systems overlap regarding issues related to the acquisition and ownership of land.