Advantages and obstacles to retrofitting benefit-sharing after development-induced displacement and resettlement

Although many older development initiatives displaced people without benefit-sharing, the literature suggests that benefit-sharing may be added, or retrofitted, to an existing revenue-producing development project. This article looks at the potential for retrofitting benefit-sharing in a hydropower project in Western Mali, using results collected directly after resettlement in the late 1980s, in 1993–94, and in 2016–18. Retrofitting a benefit-sharing program at Manantali would allow resettled populations to correct deficiencies in resettlement implementation and to meet new post-displacement challenges. Moreover, Manantali residents are better prepared now than they were at resettlement to understand the advantages and constraints in resettlement areas. Retrofitting a benefit-sharing program requires that the planners address issues of eligibility, structure, and management of the program as well as other obstacles and challenges. There is no general formula for retrofitting, but each program needs to be adapted to the particular circumstances of people, place, and infrastructure.