From Eritrea to South Africa land tenure laws are in a state of flux. In every nation in eastern and southern Africa, apart from those wracked by conflict, tenure reform is either under discussion or coming on stream. What is driving this change? What are the consequences for landholders, for democratization and the nature of state power? Who are the potential winners and losers? These are among the issues analysed in a new paper from ODI looking at how the gamut of recent land laws might combine with new constitutions and changes in local government and forestry and wildlife management to further socio-political change.