The African Development Bank (AfDB) is organising a workshop on institutional capacity building for the implementation of public-private partnerships in Southern Africa from October 8 to 12, 2018. The workshop will take place in Mbabane, the capital of Eswatini, formerly Swaziland. It is organised in partnership with the Southern Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office.
Mbabane, the capital of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), is hosting a workshop from the 8th to the 12th of October 2018 to strengthen the skills of officials working in institutions responsible for energy issues in Southern Africa. The conference is organised by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Southern Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office. African countries are increasingly turning to public-private partnerships (PPPs) to finance the development of renewable energy.
The Mbabane meeting will be an opportunity for the AfDB and the sub-regional body not only to equip stakeholders in the field of renewable energy, but above all to promote the advantages of public-private partnerships (PPPs). According to the AfDB, the legal and financial capacities of more than 33 participants in the public and private sectors will be reviewed and strengthened. In addition, it will help to develop a comprehensive understanding of the role of PPPs in providing infrastructure services to meet the ever-increasing energy demand in Africa, particularly in the renewable energy sector.
A workshop requested by the Eswatini government
The workshop conducted by the AfDB and the Southern Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office is an initiative of the Eswatini government to build on the example of its South African neighbour, which has put in place legislation to promote private investment in renewable energy. The workshop will build on the lessons learned from all previous PPP initiatives, including the new Swazi Rail Link project. This is a project to build a 150 km railway line between Eswatini and South Africa.
The workshop is also expected to contribute to strengthening skills in policy formulation involving PPPs and improving access to energy in the region; renewable energy particularly. It will also cover the legal, regulatory, policy and institutional frameworks that are essential for creating a conducive environment for PPP projects. It will address key industry challenges such as project identification, risk allocation, financing, environmental safeguards strategies, and PPP financial procurement choices.
By providing participants with an overview of current PPP practises and prospects in Africa, the workshop will address the need to leverage private sector innovation and expertise, as well as best practices from around the world.
Jean Marie Takouleu
