The paper analyzes a sample of existing or in-formulation policy frameworks governing access and security of tenure over major natural assets such as land, forests and wildlife. The fundamental question that runs through the analysis in the paper concerns the extent to which security of resource tenure can mediate the achievement of the MDGs. The overall objective is to apply existing knowledge on land-related development and land rights into principles of policy formulation and implementation processes.

The specific objectives of the paper are to:
(i) Elucidate in a pragmatic and empirical manner how land resource policy and practice in granting land rights mediate the achievement of related MDGs in Africa (in particular with respect to food security, poverty reduction, gender equity and environmental sustainability); and
(ii) Demonstrate the operationalization of the concepts of land and resource tenure at the community level and the mechanisms and support systems adopted to facilitate the transformation of tenure security into livelihood strategies with positive outcomes.