Moges Belay analyzes the little explored impact of non-corporate-level land grabs on local communities in Ethiopia.
He argues that the focus by academia and the media on corporate-level land deals only captures a small part of how the global land rush and the social forces behind it evolved and manifested.
Instead Belay takes a closer look at 'pin prick' (micro-level land transactions) and in-between (neither large-scale nor pin prick) land deals, arguing that these everyday forms of land transactions are widespread and together cover a large land area. Such deals also play a significant role in the commodification and commercialization of land more broadly.
His research focuses on the Oromia region of Ethiopia.
Read the full article online - 'The spectacular land rush and its consequences in Ethiopia'. Globalizations. July 2025.
- PhD student
- Related links
- Commodity & land rushes and regimes research project