An Analysis of the Potential Use of Public-Private Partnerships in Water Infrastructural Development in Zimbabwe: The Case of Harare City Council

Abstract

The study was carried out to analyse the potential use of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in water infrastructural development in Harare City Council, Zimbabwe.  PPPs play a pivotal role in water infrastructural development if fully implemented.  Zimbabwe’s rate of uptake is low.  There are preconditions that are necessary for successful implementation of PPPs inter alia political will (commitment) legal, institutional and political frameworks.  Key informant interviews and documentary search were employed to gather data.  The study established that Zimbabwe does not have the preconditions necessary for successful implementation of PPPs and this confirms the thesis.  The main challenges include lack of legal and institutional framework, lack of political will, unconducive socio-economic environment.  Zimbabwe’s water infrastructure is ramshackle.  This is compounded by lack of fiscal space on the part of government to rehabilitate the infrastructure.  PPPs could be a viable alternative to infrastructural development with the right environmental conditions.  The study recommends that the government should quickly enact a PPP legal framework that enables the establishment of a PPP unit within the Ministry of Finance and this should be followed by an Act of Parliament which should institutionalize PPPs.  The Government should promote a conducive investment climate.