African Development Bank grants $5.3 million to boost public-private partnerships in four African nations
The African Development Bank Group has approved a $5.3 million grant to implement the Project to Strengthen the Public-Private Partnership Environment for the Promotion of Private Investment in The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, and Togo. The decision, made in Abidjan on 27 June 2025, will be financed through the Bank’s Transition Support Facility, under Pillar III for critical capacity building and technical assistance.
The Facility, established in 2008, provides concessional resources to countries in fragile and conflict situations. This new initiative aims to strengthen the public–private partnership (PPP) environment to catalyse greater private investment in the four nations.
Strengthening the PPP framework
The first component focuses on creating a more coherent and attractive framework for the private sector, operationalising the institutional setup for PPPs, and building stakeholder capacity. Contracting authorities will be equipped to structure and negotiate balanced agreements, ensuring better outcomes for both public and private partners.
The second component will highlight local business involvement by providing a practical case study for PPP stakeholders. This will guide them through the various stages of a project cycle, utilising tools developed during the first phase.
The third component involves establishing an effective project management unit to ensure smooth implementation, provide strategic oversight, and make the project’s achievements visible.
According to Solomon Quaynor, Vice President of the African Development Bank Group for the Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation, the project builds on the Bank’s ongoing work to strengthen the business environment and promote private sector engagement. It aligns with the Bank’s strategic PPP framework, advancing its operationalisation in the targeted countries.
