Public-Private Partnerships and Their Role in Rebuilding Sudan
By Dr. Ahmed Abdel-Baqi
The Concept of Public-Private Partnerships
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are contractual arrangements between one or more government entities and private-sector companies for specific projects. Under these arrangements, the private partner provides assets and services that are traditionally delivered directly by the public sector. These partnerships may take the form of simple outsourcing contracts or extend to include shared management, decision-making, and broader responsibilities.
The private sector can be engaged in planning, financing, designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining public services. The contractual model depends on the tasks assigned to the private partner and the level of involvement between both parties. Such models include:
Service contracts
Management contracts
Lease contracts
Concession agreements
Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT)
Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT)
Build-Own-Operate (BOO)
Privatization through direct sale, stock market offerings, or employee/management buyouts
Success Factors in PPP Projects
Evidence from World Bank reports shows that countries which strengthened PPP frameworks between 1990 and 2022 saw an average annual increase of $488 million in infrastructure investment. According to the World Bank, this success would not have been possible without laws governing public-private partnerships.
To ensure success, governments must establish clear legal and regulatory frameworks and adopt best practices in PPP implementation. PPPs are increasingly recognized as an essential tool for financing and delivering infrastructure projects. As of June 2023, 109 out of 140 economies worldwide (78%) had a regulatory framework for PPPs, while 79 countries (56%) had enacted specific PPP laws. Between 2019 and 2022, seven countries—including Armenia, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, Montenegro, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan—introduced their first PPP laws. In the same period, 60 countries amended existing regulations to better align with PPP structures.
The Way Forward for Sudan
For Sudan to advance in leveraging PPPs, and given that a legal framework is already in place, the country must refine its strategies and maximize the use of available resources. One valuable tool is the World Bank’s Infrastructure Regulation Benchmarking Report, which compiles thousands of data points on PPP regulations globally. This resource can help Sudan assess its position relative to international standards and design approaches tailored to its specific reconstruction needs.
By aligning available financing options with PPP mechanisms, Sudan can chart a practical path to rebuilding its infrastructure and strengthening its economic resilience.
