Research in Sierra Leone reveals that the role of Paramount Chiefs and MPs in approaching communities for negotiations compromised Free, Prior and Informed Consent. Companies and local authority figures used vague references to ‘development’ to convince landowners to sign. There are a number of investments that could be classed as ‘speculative’ while customary decision-making regarding the agreement to lease land excluded women, junior men, and members of non-land-owning families. Concludes with policy recommendations.