Increasing Risk Tolerance to Drive Impact: #3 Implementing PPPs in frontier economies

Welcome to the third episode of Increasing Risk Tolerance to Drive Impact – a podcast series from the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), a Private Infrastructure Development Group company – exploring ways to develop transformative infrastructure in underserved geographies across Africa.

This podcast, titled ” Implementing PPPs in Frontier Economies and Africa”, explores the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in fostering economic development and growth in emerging markets in Africa. Our guests discuss innovative strategies to increase risk tolerance, ensuring long-term impact and sustainable development through PPPs.

Given Africa’s vast infrastructure needs—ranging from improved roads and railways to increasing access to energy and reliable water supply—PPPs offer a mechanism for mobilising private capital, building expertise, and efficiency while aligning with development priorities.

In this episode, we discuss the role of progressive partnerships in driving innovation, improving service delivery and connectivity in the African context. Our guests share key lessons and learnings from a range of successful PPPs across the continent.

This episode is essential listening for policymakers, investors, and development practitioners to unlock potential in some of the world’s fastest-growing, yet underserved, markets.

Our guests are:

Puleng Pitso, Investment Specialist, Ninety One

Zena Njuki, Technical Assistance Associate, Private Infrastructure Development Group

Your host is Lindsay Williams, business broadcaster.

To find out more about how EAIF is driving transformative infrastructure development, visit our website.

 

Latest Episodes

#19 PIDG Sustainability and Impact Report

As the climate crisis continues to accelerate, sustainable development and poverty reduction hinge on our ability to adapt to the changing climate, protect and restore the natural environment, and rapidly reduce global emissions. At PIDG, we’ve made it our mission to address these challenges head-on while ensuring our infrastructure projects meet the needs of those who depend on them most.

#18 Bringing a Pioneering Maritime Freight Service to East Africa

The M.V. Mpungu is a first-of-its-kind freight vessel set to revolutionise the maritime industry in East Africa. Owned by East Africa Marine Transport (EAMT), it will operate across Lake Victoria, between Uganda and Tanzania, cutting journey times, reducing emissions and creating jobs. Supported by PIDG’s development arm, InfraCo Africa, the vessel will improve standards of transport infrastructure, save the economy millions of dollars and boost trade in the region.

#17 How Women Benefit From PIDG Investments

Whether it’s providing electric vehicles to women who otherwise have to walk massive distances to provide for their families, or increasing access to safe and adequate drinking water for rural communities, PIDG has a number of investments that directly impact and improve the lives of women. Across Africa and Asia, PIDG doesn’t just consider how women are impacted by its projects, it also strives to empower them.

#16 Concessional Capital Explained

Combining concessional capital with blended finance is an innovative solution, bridging a major funding gap. Where a project is struggling to reach scale, concessional capital can be used to boost its commerciality and affordability. PIDG is blending concessional capital into transactions through PIDG Technical Assistance’s capital grant, viability gap funding and concessional equity and debt products.