In the challenging and high-risk environments of fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS), developing and implementing robust PPP Frameworks in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States represents a critical, yet complex, pathway to rebuilding essential infrastructure, restoring basic services, and fostering economic recovery by strategically mobilizing private capital and expertise amidst heightened instability. These contexts demand a unique understanding of political, security, social, and institutional fragilities, alongside an adaptive and context-sensitive approach to policy design, legal structuring, risk mitigation, and project management, to ensure that partnerships contribute to stability and sustainable peace. This comprehensive training course is meticulously designed to equip public sector officials, development practitioners, private investors, and humanitarian agencies with the advanced knowledge and practical strategies required to navigate the distinct complexities of establishing and operating Public-Private Partnerships in FCAS, ensuring both project viability and positive development outcomes. Without robust expertise in PPP Frameworks in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States, stakeholders risk exacerbating existing fragilities, encountering significant project failures, and missing vital opportunities to rebuild and foster resilience, underscoring the vital need for specialized expertise in this critical domain.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Public Sector Officials from governments in FCAS, particularly from Ministries of Finance, Planning, and Infrastructure
• PPP Unit Professionals and Staff in fragile contexts
• Development Practitioners from international organizations (UN, World Bank, regional development banks)
• Humanitarian Aid and Reconstruction Agencies
• Private Sector Investors and Developers interested in FCAS markets
• Legal Professionals specializing in international development and complex infrastructure
• Risk Management Professionals and Political Risk Insurers
• Bilateral and Multilateral Donors and Aid Workers
• Civil Society Organizations and Community Leaders involved in reconstruction
• Anyone involved in designing, financing, or implementing recovery and development projects in challenging environments.

Objectives

• Understand the unique characteristics and underlying drivers of fragility and conflict impacting PPPs.
• Learn about the specific challenges and heightened risks associated with implementing PPPs in FCAS.
• Acquire skills in identifying and assessing political, security, and social risks in these contexts.
• Comprehend techniques for adapting standard PPP models and legal frameworks to FCAS realities.
• Explore strategies for mobilizing tailored financing mechanisms, including concessional and blended finance.
• Understand the importance of building resilient public sector capacity in fragile environments.
• Gain insights into designing projects that promote peacebuilding and social cohesion.
• Develop a practical understanding of managing humanitarian-development-peace nexus in PPPs.
• Master the role of international financial institutions and development partners in de-risking projects.
• Acquire skills in ensuring transparency, anti-corruption, and accountability in high-risk settings.
• Learn to apply international best practices and case studies from successful FCAS PPPs.
• Comprehend techniques for fostering local private sector engagement and job creation.
• Explore strategies for mitigating currency and macroeconomic volatility risks.
• Understand the importance of flexible contract management and dispute resolution in unstable contexts.
• Develop the ability to lead and implement impactful PPPs in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States.

Course Content

Module 1: Understanding Fragility and Conflict-Affected States (FCAS) Contexts

• Defining fragility, conflict, and post-conflict environments.
• The socio-economic, political, and security characteristics of FCAS.
• Impact of conflict on infrastructure, public services, and institutional capacity.
• The nexus between fragility, poverty, and sustainable development.
• Importance of context-specific analysis before considering PPPs.

Module 2: Rationale and Challenges of PPPs in FCAS

• Why PPPs are considered in FCAS: closing infrastructure gaps, mobilizing capital, private sector efficiency.
• Specific challenges: heightened political instability, weak rule of law, security concerns.
• Limited public sector capacity and institutional fragility.
• Scarce local financial markets and high cost of capital.
• Balancing commercial viability with humanitarian and peacebuilding objectives.

Module 3: Risk Identification and Assessment in FCAS PPPs

• Comprehensive identification of FCAS-specific risks: political violence, expropriation, regulatory unpredictability.
• Security risks: project site security, personnel safety, supply chain disruptions.
• Social and community risks: conflict over resources, grievances, displacement.
• Methodologies for assessing probability and impact of FCAS risks.
• Role of independent risk assessments and political risk intelligence.

Module 4: Adapting PPP Policy and Legal Frameworks for FCAS

• The need for flexible and adaptive legal frameworks.
• Prioritizing essential enabling legislation over comprehensive laws.
• Expedited approval processes for urgent reconstruction projects.
• Ensuring consistency with international humanitarian law and human rights.
• Integrating peacebuilding considerations into policy objectives.

Module 5: Project Structuring and Contractual Design for FCAS

• Tailoring PPP models to high-risk environments (e.g., shorter terms, phased approaches).
• Designing robust force majeure and political risk clauses.
• Flexible payment mechanisms and revenue guarantees to de-risk projects.
• Contractual provisions for security arrangements and community engagement.
• Exit mechanisms and termination clauses adapted for instability.

Module 6: Mobilizing Finance for PPPs in FCAS

• Role of concessional finance, grants, and blended finance.
• Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) as anchor investors.
• Political Risk Insurance (PRI) and guarantees (e.g., MIGA, OPIC).
• Humanitarian funds and their potential linkage with infrastructure projects.
• Strategies for attracting patient capital and impact investors.

Module 7: Public Sector Capacity Building and Institutional Resilience

• Prioritizing targeted capacity building for key public sector entities.
• Mentoring, secondments, and twinning arrangements.
• Establishing lean, functional PPP units with clear mandates.
• Strengthening public financial management and fiscal risk oversight.
• Leveraging international technical assistance effectively.

Module 8: Security Management and Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus

• Integrating security risk assessments into project planning.
• Collaboration with national security forces and international peacekeepers.
• Ensuring do-no-harm principles and conflict sensitivity in project design.
• Linking infrastructure delivery to immediate humanitarian needs and longer-term peacebuilding.
• Opportunities for local employment and economic stabilization.

Module 9: Governance, Transparency, and Anti-Corruption in FCAS

• Challenges of corruption and illicit financial flows in fragile states.
• Implementing robust transparency and anti-corruption measures.
• Enhanced due diligence for private partners.
• Role of independent oversight bodies and civil society monitoring.
• Promoting beneficial ownership transparency.

Module 10: Stakeholder Engagement and Community Resilience

• Importance of inclusive and participatory stakeholder engagement.
• Addressing grievances and conflict drivers at the community level.
• Ensuring equitable distribution of project benefits.
• Empowering local communities through skills transfer and local content.
• Building social license to operate in volatile environments.

Module 11: Local Private Sector Engagement in FCAS PPPs

• Challenges and opportunities for local companies in FCAS.
• Strategies for fostering local entrepreneurship and capacity.
• Access to finance and technical support for local firms.
• Designing projects that create demand for local goods and services.
• Balancing international expertise with local context knowledge.

Module 12: Contract Management and Dispute Resolution in Instability

• Adaptive contract management strategies for FCAS.
• Monitoring performance in challenging operating environments.
• Managing unforeseen events and frequent changes.
• Importance of effective and neutral dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Role of international arbitration and specialized courts.

Module 13: Post-Conflict Recovery and Reconstruction through PPPs

• PPPs for immediate humanitarian support infrastructure (e.g., temporary power, water).
• PPPs in post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.
• Prioritizing resilient infrastructure that can withstand future shocks.
• Integrating climate change adaptation into reconstruction PPPs.
• Long-term economic diversification and job creation.

Module 14: Role of International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and Donors

• MDBs and DFIs as catalysts: financial instruments, technical assistance, convening power.
• Blended finance platforms and their application in FCAS.
• Donor coordination and alignment of support for PPPs.
• Strategies for de-risking projects through IFI participation.
• Case studies of IFI involvement in FCAS PPPs.

Module 15: Case Studies and Practical Application in FCAS

• In-depth analysis of successful and challenging PPPs in diverse FCAS contexts (e.g., Afghanistan, Somalia, South Sudan).
• Discussion of lessons learned on what works and what doesn't.
• Group exercise: Structuring a hypothetical PPP project in a specific FCAS.
• Developing a risk mitigation plan tailored to an FCAS context.
• Peer review and discussion on strategies for building confidence among investors and communities.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.