PPIAF

PPIAF Highlights

First Quarter Activities
PPIAF approved 13 new projects in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 for a total of US$2,091,708. Multisector projects continue to dominate the portfolio followed by transport. See highlights below. For a complete list of activities click here, or for a breakdown click here.

Sub-National Technical Assistance Program
PPIAF launched its Sub-National Technical Assistance Program (SNTA) in July to help build creditworthiness of sub-national government entities and publicly owned utilities so they can borrow without sovereign guarantees. Two activities were awarded in the first quarter totaling $635,300. The activities include a grant for a creditworthiness assessment for six African Utilities, and a slum upgrading program in Swaziland.  See highlights below.

To learn more about the SNTA read the interview with James Leigland the new program leader as he responds to some of the frequently asked questions. Brochures are available in English, French and Spanish. If you have any questions send an e-mail to snta@ppiaf.org.

Lighting Africa Pulls in 400 Entries
More than 400 proposals from 38 African countries were received for the Lighting Africa Development Marketplace competition; 60 percent were from Africans, and all include African partners.  Proposals cover ideas for improved lighting services such as new, clean off-grid lighting products; alternative distribution models; stronger value and production chains; and improved policy environments.  The 50 finalists will be announced in mid-December. For additional information, click here. 

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Trends

New 2006 Data Released from the Private Participation in Infrastructure Database

Global Trends
The number of private infrastructure projects implemented in 2006 grew by 17% to 271 for the third consecutive year. Trends differed across sectors. Energy projects remained at around 80, as in the previous two years. Telecommunications projects rose by a third to around 30, returning to a level similar to those in 2003 and 2004. Transport had a record year, with 111 transactions. And water projects totaled 48, down slightly from the record 57 in 2005.

Private Activity in Energy Remained Stable
Eighty-one projects with private participation, involving investment commitments of more than US$14 billion, reached financial or contractual closure in 29 low- and middle-income countries in 2006; similar to investment over the last two years.  Electricity accounted for most of the investment in energy, while within electricity, generation had the largest share.

Private Activity in Telecommunications Stays at Peak Level
In 2006 investment commitments for telecommunications projects with private participation remained around the peak level reached in the previous year.  Thirty-one telecommunications projects with private participation reached financial or contractual closure in 22 low- and middle-income countries. Twenty-one were greenfield projects, involving investment of US$4.6 billion.  

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New PPIAF Publications & Research

Mongolia Infrastructure Study is Now Available
The Mongolian government finalized its infrastructure study, Rethinking the Delivery of Infrastructure Services in Mongolia.  The report lays out infrastructure development strategies for key sectors, including approaches to using the private sector. The study and stakeholder outreach program were funded by PPIAF. The report is available in English and Mongolian.

Financing Cities, Fiscal Responsibility and Urban Infrastructure in Brazil, China, India, Poland and South Africa
This new hard cover book looks at the practical policy dimension of reconciling two valid policy perspectives: the need to boost urban infrastructure investment levels and the need for prudent financial management across all levels of government – all in the context of decentralizing service delivery responsibilities. Available through the World Bank Infoshop.

New Gridlines

What Does it Take to Lower Regulatory Risk in Infrastructure Industries in Brazil?
This  four-page note benchmarks regulatory governance in Brazil looking at political and financial autonomy, decision-making structures that reduce regulatory discretion, access to effective enforcement and efficient rules of accountability. Read more ».

Managing Municipal Solid Waste in Latin America and the Caribbean: Integrating the private sector, harnessing incentives
As Latin America’s urban population has grown, its solid waste has increased at an even faster pace. Ensuring that the waste is collected and disposed of properly will require strengthening the strategic role of municipalities. What are the opportunities for public-private partnerships?  Read more ».

Public-Private Partnership Units:  Lessons and case studies
Public-private partnership (PPP) units for facilitating and managing infrastructure investments have existed for many years in developed countries and are proliferating in the developing world.  This assessment of eight PPP units around the world examines whether these institutions have contributed to successful partnerships – and if so under what conditions. Read more ».

Private Participation in Infrastructure in Europe and Central Asia: A look at recent trends
The region is attracting more investment for infrastructure projects than any other region except Latin America; investment in 2005 doubled from the previous four years. Read more ».    

For copies of a Gridline, please e-mail PPIAF at ppiaf@ppiaf.org.

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New Activity Highlights

PPIAF Supports Road Concession in Colombia
PPIAF awarded the government of Colombia a grant to prepare traffic studies to help structure and tender the Ruta del Sol road concession, the largest infrastructure project in Colombia and one of the largest in the region (up to US$2.5 billion investment).  

Zambia Explores Options for PPPs in the Irrigation Sector
The government of Zambia was awarded a technical assistance grant to explore their options for public-private partnerships in the irrigation sector. The grant will help them develop standard contractual arrangements for the design, construction, management and financing of new irrigation schemes, and establish an institutional framework to help secure both public and private interests. 

PPIAF Supports a PPP Program in Egypt
The government of Egypt plans to implement a very ambitious PPP program for water, transportation and gas distribution.  A PPIAF grant will support their Central PPP Unit located within the Ministry of Finance.  Funding will help them strengthen the PPP legal, regulatory and institutional framework and prepare a business plan. 

Sub-National Technical Assistance Program

Six Utilities in Africa Get Credit Assessments
Six African utilities will go through a creditworthiness assessment/diagnostic process. The six utilities, two in Kenya and Senegal and one each in Senegal and Burkina Faso, will receive a credit report that  identifies their key strengths and weaknesses and gauges their ability to access local finance. 

Building Creditworthiness in Swaziland
The government of Swaziland was awarded PPIAF funding to help build the creditworthiness of cities and sub-national entities as they upgrade their slum areas and finance related infrastructure. The program will include capacity building initiatives and technical assistance to help them assess how equity financing could improve the creditworthiness and performance of sub-national state-owned enterprises.

Activity Breakdown for 1st Quarter FY08

A. Geographic Focus

B. Sectoral Focus

C. Nature of Activity

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