When utility sectors undergo reform, regulation is needed to ensure fair competition among service providers—whether public or private—and to oversee natural monopoly segments. Effective legal and regulatory frameworks protect consumers. They also build credibility with investors, helping the government develop partnerships with private companies that can invest in and deliver infrastructure services.

But regulation is complex and demanding, both technically and politically. Regulatory policies need to strike a balance between stakeholders (policy makers, service providers, and consumers) in a way that is fair, transparent, and sustainable—while also providing incentives for efficiency. And regulatory agencies are often new and underfunded, with limited expertise and little access to knowledge.

PPIAF has been at the forefront in identifying global best practices in the design of regulatory frameworks. In partnership with the Public Utility Research Center (PURC) at the University of Florida, it developed a website, the Body of Knowledge on Infrastructure Regulation, which brings together some of the most important work in this area.

PPIAF has also helped establish regional regulatory bodies that provide valuable forums for exchanging experiences and lessons. The articles below explore trends and examples of infrastructure and public-private partnership regulation, provide updates from conferences and forums on regulation, and highlight resources for policymakers and practitioners working in the field.