Public Private Partnerships in the Middle East and Africa: A Tool for Sustainable Development?

Mashora Group and David Baxter (I): Public Private Partnerships in the Middle East and Africa. Governments in the Middle East and Africa are increasingly turning to Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in their efforts to develop state infrastructure, provide state services, and boost their national economies. PPPs are often linked to large-scale development projects in the region, combining much needed private capital with political responsibility and power. While some praise PPPs for improving government efficiency, others criticize their democratic deficit and unfair distribution of government funds. In this podcast, we are joined by David Baxter, who works at the forefront of developing new approaches to PPPs. Together, we discuss the potential benefits, but also the risks and limitations, of treating PPPs as a development tool.