Public private partnerships (PPPs) hold significant potential to drive infrastructure growth across East Africa, but the path to success is not smooth.
In this episode of our ‘Value of Knowing’ podcast, Edwin Baru, Joshua Mwamulima and Lameck Muganyizi, explore how PPP frameworks are evolving in Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia, and what that means in unlocking much-needed infrastructure investment.
The discussion ranges from on-the-ground experiences and lessons learned to the complexities of risk allocation and the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations, the role of investor incentives and government support. They unpack the evolving legal frameworks; highlight new opportunities in energy, transport and ICT; outline the challenges of structuring and financing bankable PPP projects; and outline the need for better capacity, clear regulations, political will and improved public perception to unlock the potential of PPPs in East Africa.
Topics covered
- Legislative evolution: 2021 Kenya PPP Act, 2023 Zambia PPP Act, and Tanzanian mainland vs Zanzibar frameworks
- Opportunities in transport, energy, logistics, water and sanitation, and ICT
- Unsolicited versus solicited PPPs and the challenges of each route
- Risk allocation, project bankability, and financial close dynamics
- Foreign exchange considerations and repatriation of funds
- Investor incentives and tax relief
- Institutional capacity and political buy-in
Key takeaways
- Despite legal progress, actual project delivery remains limited
- Political will and regulatory clarity are improving but uneven
- Transmission infrastructure, logistics, and data centres are key growth areas
- Public perception and lack of capacity hamper progress
- Regional integration could drive future opportunities
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