Over the past decade, the World Bank Group has expanded its support through PPPs because of their ability to improve the quality and delivery of basic infrastructure services. The institution’s unique value proposition for its client countries rests with its capacity to provide support along the entire PPP cycle, from policy advice to transaction closure. 

The Bank Group is committed to helping governments make informed decisions about improving access and quality of infrastructure services, including, where appropriate, using PPPs as one delivery option. This approach is further enabled by working on strengthening data, building capacity, developing and testing tools, promoting disclosure and encouraging engagement with all relevant stakeholders.  

By providing a wide range of expertise, instruments and services, the Bank Group can contribute to the PPP agenda — from upstream policy advice for regulatory and institutional reforms to downstream transaction support, including a multibillion-dollar lending, investment and guarantee portfolio along with analytical and advisory activities and the ability to convene partners. 

Looking ahead, the Bank Group intends to increase its PPP support. (See the latest strategy, A Stronger, Connected, Solutions World Bank Group.) The strategy also creates the framework for many important components of an even more effective PPP agenda, including a strong emphasis on knowledge products and collaboration across the World Bank Group and among development partners, including the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) — a precondition to working effectively along the PPP delivery chain. 

The Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) are already actively collaborating, both in terms of direct financing of projects, mobilizing private capital, and improving capacities and knowledge around infrastructure to reduce transaction costs and strengthen the pipeline of bankable projects.

A task force has been set up to harmonize definitions and targets around MDB mobilization. The portfolios of IFC and MIGA are growing. New platforms have been established such as the Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF), which aims to support client demand to prepare and structure complex infrastructure projects so they are able to attract commercial and institutional investment. The GIF focuses on energy, water and sanitation, transport and telecommunications projects that are either climate-smart or trade-enabling.

Our collaboration goes beyond financing. We’ve been jointly developing platforms such as the PPP Knowledge Lab and advise on the International Infrastructure Support System to improve the flow of information, reduce transactions costs and speed up project preparation. We’re also supporting a PPP certification scheme that will address capacity constraints. We are also working together to establish infrastructure tools and new standards of disclosure and transparency that will ultimately reduce risk perceptions from private investors and give voice to stakeholders. 

Last Updated: Sep 27, 2016

The World Bank Group has supported countries by helping to create an enabling environment for PPPs, while also structuring advice and finance.

• Over the past 15 years, World Bank Group support to PPPs has nearly tripled. Lending, investments and guarantees have increased both in absolute terms and in relative terms, rising from $900 million in 2002 to $2.8 billion in 2016.
• The World Bank approved 407 loans with a PPP component between 2002 and 2016 totaling $15.6 billion. The Bank has also made significant contributions to upstream development for PPPs.
• Since its inception in 1999, the  Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF) has supported 169 knowledge activities and 1,164 technical assistance activities in 139 countries, with total approval expenditures amounting to $290 million. PPIAF’s support has contributed to leveraging $18.3 billion in investment financing for infrastructure PPPs globally.
• The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) supported 81 PPP projects through political risk insurance, with a total $5.1 billion gross exposure between 2002- 2012. In FY16, MIGA approved four PPP projects with a total gross exposure of $817 million.
• The International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Transaction Advisory in Public-Private Partnerships has achieved important results in advising clients on structuring PPPs. IFC has advised on 187 transactions from FY02 to FY16. Between FY02 and FY16, IFC’s Investment Services has invested in 249 PPPs with total commitments of $9.8 billion

Last Updated: Sep 27, 2016