Land Reform Impacts in East Africa: A Mixed Methods Exploration in Cape Verde

Land reform policies in East Africa have been implemented to address issues of land tenure insecurity and inequality. In Cape Verde, a small archipelago nation off the western coast of Africa, these reforms aim to redistribute land more equitably among rural populations. The research employs a mixed methods approach combining qualitative interviews with quantitative survey data. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews focusing on farmers' perspectives, while quantitative data were gathered via an online questionnaire targeting rural households across Cape Verde's main islands. Interviews revealed that approximately 70% of respondents reported improved access to arable land post-reform, though challenges such as lack of formal documentation persisted. Quantitative analysis showed a significant increase in household income by 25%, although food security remained a concern for over half the sample. The mixed methods approach highlighted both positive and negative impacts of recent land reform policies in Cape Verde. Findings suggest that while reforms have improved access to resources, further measures are needed to enhance sustainable livelihoods and food security. Policy recommendations include strengthening legal frameworks for formalizing land rights and implementing targeted interventions to support vulnerable groups facing ongoing challenges with land tenure. Land Reform, Socio-Economic Impacts, Cape Verde, Mixed Methods Study