Public-private partnerships, or PPPs, are increasingly recognized as a valuable development tool by governments, firms, donors, civil society, and the public. The reason is straightforward: all over the world, well-designed PPP transactions have delivered quality infrastructure and services, often at lower cost, by harnessing private sector financing, technical know-how, and management expertise. Not surprisingly, the demand for PPPs has surged and is expected to grow further.
But implementing effective PPP transactions is complex, requiring substantial knowledge and skills. Building capacity, especially for officials overseeing PPP transactions, is therefore essential for increasing the chances of a successful outcome. There is no shortage of information; a substantial body of knowledge about PPPs exists, but navigating it can be overwhelming.
To address this issue, the World Bank Group, the Asian Development Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank collaborated on a PPP Reference Guide, now in Version 2.0. The Guide is not a toolkit or a manual. Instead, it provides the reader with a broad understanding of PPP essentials and points him or her in the right direction for learning in greater depth.
A quick look at the Table of Contents provides the reader with a clear view of what the Guide has to offer. The Guide:
- Defines PPPs, explains what they do, and how they are financed;
- Provides an overview of the institutional, policy and legislative frameworks;
- Covers the key steps in the PPP project cycle, from identifying potential projects to managing PPP contracts.
The Guide also shines light on implementing PPP projects through illustrative case studies from different regions and sectors.
Overall, the Reference Guide does an outstanding job of presenting relevant PPP information in a useful and meaningful way. Its creators have done a great service to governments, donors, civil society, the private sector, and underserved people in bringing PPPs within reach as a developmental tool.
Learn more by accessing the PPP Reference Guide online: