Key challenges to public private partnerships in Botswana - the case of Water Utilities Corporation - Lobatse Management Centre

Abstract

The extensive application of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) throughout the world is comparatively recent. In Botswana, PPPs were first mentioned in the Privatisation Policy of Botswana. The government pronounced in the 2002/2003 budget speech and NDP 9 that PPPs would be widely used as an instrument of procuring and financing infrastructure projects in the public sector. The intention was to ensure sustainable investment in infrastructure and soundness in public finances as well as to decrease the budget deficit to sustainable levels. PPPs are regulated through the 2009 Public-Private Partnership Policy and Implementation Framework. The methodological approach followed is the case study strategy and a qualitative paradigm. The findings of the study reveal a deteriorating water situation over a period of three years. The demand for private sector participation in the water sector is established and areas in which private companies can be engaged are also identified. The research further reveals the feasibility of implementing service contracts within a monopoly-Water Utilities Corporation.