Madagascar’s High Constitutional Court has approved a law allowing the state to reclaim land still registered to foreign settlers from the colonial period. The court ruled that the legislation complies with the constitution, clearing the way for implementation. The law uses June 26, 1960, Madagascar’s independence date, as its benchmark: land still registered in a foreign name on that date and never transferred to a Malagasy citizen will revert to the state. Diplomatic and consular properties are excluded, as are holdings transferred to Malagasy citizens before independence and properties acquired by foreign nationals who later became Malagasy citizens and properly registered their naturalization with the land authorities. Supporters say the reform could expand land access for Malagasy citizens and spur agricultural investment. However, investors face uncertainty as authorities identify affected properties and determine how they will ultimately be allocated.