Land tenure in West Africa, is a crucial concern of the economic development and social peace in rural areas. Most of agricultural producers whose rights have not being recognized by the State, still live in an unsafe legal situation. In a context of rising competition, of generalized mobility, of increasing intervention of urban people over local land business, this situation contributes to internal conflicts and tensions within the households units. Where commercial transactions develop, they do not always benefit from an institutional frame, making it possible to regulate and secure them. Sustainable management of renewable natural resources -an environmental, but also productive and economic stake-, requires creating or consolidating local institutions recognized by the State.

In a context of increasing land competition, and in countries engaged in democratization processes, adapted land policies are significant tools for an equitable economic development in rural areas. However, knowledge about the dynamics in progress still remains incomplete. The current land tenure policies and interventions do not seem to sufficiently take into account the local land systems, resulting sometimes in unexpected effects.