For governments seeking to strategically leverage Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to address pressing infrastructure and service delivery needs, effective PPP Project Identification and Prioritization is the crucial initial step that determines the long-term success and fiscal sustainability of their entire PPP program. This foundational process moves beyond simply listing potential projects, involving a rigorous assessment of public needs, market attractiveness, project suitability for PPPs, and alignment with national development priorities, ensuring that only the most viable and impactful projects proceed to detailed preparation. This comprehensive training course is meticulously designed to equip public sector officials, planners, technical experts, and private sector developers with the essential knowledge and practical skills to systematically identify, screen, and prioritize projects that offer genuine value for money, attract credible private investment, and contribute effectively to national development objectives. Without robust expertise in PPP Project Identification and Prioritization, countries risk pursuing unviable projects, misallocating scarce resources, and failing to build a credible pipeline of bankable PPP opportunities, underscoring the vital need for specialized expertise in this critical domain.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Public Sector Planners and Policy Makers
• PPP Unit Professionals (especially those in project pipeline development)
• Sectoral Ministry Officials (e.g., Transport, Energy, Health, Water)
• Infrastructure Development Agency Staff
• Project Managers and Engineers in the public sector
• Private Sector Project Developers and Investors
• Financial Analysts and Advisors involved in early-stage project assessment
• Economic Development Specialists
• Consultants providing advisory services on project screening
• Professionals involved in public investment programming

Objectives

• Understand the strategic importance of robust PPP project identification and prioritization.
• Learn about various methodologies for needs assessment and demand forecasting.
• Acquire skills in screening projects for PPP suitability based on key criteria.
• Comprehend techniques for assessing market attractiveness of potential PPP projects.
• Explore strategies for aligning projects with national development plans and sectoral priorities.
• Understand the importance of preliminary risk identification in early stages.
• Gain insights into developing a credible and bankable PPP project pipeline.
• Develop a practical understanding of Value for Money (VfM) screening at the identification stage.
• Master basic financial and economic screening tools for project viability.
• Acquire skills in utilizing multi-criteria analysis for project prioritization.
• Learn to apply international best practices and guidelines for project selection.
• Comprehend techniques for stakeholder engagement during project identification.
• Explore strategies for managing unsolicited proposals (USPs) effectively.
• Understand the importance of data collection and analysis for informed decision-making.
• Develop the ability to contribute to the strategic development of a national PPP pipeline.

Course Content

Module 1: Strategic Context for PPP Project Identification

• The role of PPPs in national infrastructure development.
• Why robust project identification is crucial for PPP program success.
• Linkages between national development plans, sectoral strategies, and PPP pipeline.
• Challenges in identifying and preparing bankable PPP projects.
• Overview of the PPP project lifecycle and where identification fits in.

Module 2: Needs Assessment and Demand Forecasting

• Methodologies for identifying public needs for infrastructure and services.
• Quantitative and qualitative approaches to demand forecasting.
• Demographic analysis, economic growth projections, and service gaps.
• Engaging with end-users and beneficiaries to understand demand.
• Translating needs into potential project concepts.

Module 3: Initial Project Screening for PPP Suitability

• Criteria for initial screening: size, complexity, revenue potential, risk profile.
• Technical feasibility at a high level.
• Legal and regulatory compatibility.
• Environmental and social considerations at the screening stage.
• Using checklists and quick assessment tools for preliminary suitability.

Module 4: Market Sounding and Attractiveness Assessment

• Purpose of market sounding: gauging private sector interest and capacity.
• Methods of market sounding: RFI, industry workshops, one-on-one meetings.
• Assessing market appetite for specific project types.
• Understanding private sector capabilities and limitations.
• Using market feedback to refine project concepts.

Module 5: Preliminary Risk Identification and Allocation

• High-level identification of key project risks (e.g., construction, operational, demand, political).
• Basic principles of risk allocation: who is best placed to manage the risk.
• Qualitative risk assessment for early-stage projects.
• Impact of preliminary risk profile on PPP suitability.
• Developing a preliminary risk matrix.

Module 6: Value for Money (VfM) Screening

• Introduction to the concept of Value for Money (VfM) in PPPs.
• Qualitative VfM assessment at the identification stage.
• Identifying potential VfM drivers for a project (e.g., innovation, whole-life cost efficiencies).
• When a project is likely to offer VfM through a PPP.
• Using VfM as a filter for project selection.

Module 7: Economic and Financial Screening

• Basic economic appraisal: cost-benefit analysis (CBA) at a conceptual level.
• Financial viability screening: preliminary revenue and cost analysis.
• Affordability assessment for the public sector.
• Fiscal impact considerations at the early stage.
• Identifying potential funding sources.

Module 8: Prioritization Methodologies

• Developing a clear set of prioritization criteria (e.g., strategic alignment, VfM potential, readiness, affordability).
• Multi-criteria analysis (MCA) for ranking projects.
• Weighted scoring models for objective prioritization.
• Portfolio management approach for national PPP programs.
• Balancing competing priorities and objectives.

Module 9: Developing a National PPP Project Pipeline

• The importance of a well-defined and regularly updated project pipeline.
• Structuring the pipeline by sector, stage of development, and value.
• Communication of the pipeline to potential investors and stakeholders.
• Strategies for accelerating projects through the pipeline.
• Managing the "pipeline gap" – ensuring a continuous flow of projects.

Module 10: Managing Unsolicited Proposals (USPs)

• Definition and characteristics of Unsolicited Proposals (USPs).
• Advantages and disadvantages of USPs for governments.
• Developing a robust policy and legal framework for USP management.
• Evaluation criteria and processes for USPs.
• Ensuring transparency and fairness in USP handling.

Module 11: Role of PPP Units in Project Identification and Prioritization

• Centralized vs. decentralized roles in project identification.
• PPP Unit's role in providing guidance, tools, and technical assistance.
• Coordinating with line ministries and local governments.
• Building capacity for project identification within government.
• Gatekeeping functions for project progression.

Module 12: Data Collection and Information Management

• Importance of reliable data for informed decision-making.
• Sources of data for project identification (e.g., national statistics, sectoral studies).
• Establishing a centralized database for project information.
• Data quality, consistency, and accessibility.
• Leveraging GIS and other digital tools for project mapping.

Module 13: Stakeholder Engagement in Project Identification

• Engaging with sectoral ministries and agencies.
• Consulting with local governments and communities.
• Involving the private sector through market sounding.
• Communicating the project identification process and criteria.
• Building consensus and buy-in for selected projects.

Module 14: Legal and Regulatory Considerations at Early Stages

• Compliance with public procurement laws.
• Environmental and social screening requirements.
• Land acquisition considerations.
• Permitting and regulatory approvals at the identification stage.
• Early legal due diligence.

Module 15: Case Studies and Best Practices in Project Identification

• Analysis of successful project identification and prioritization efforts from various countries.
• Lessons learned from projects that failed at the identification stage.
• Best practices in developing and managing a robust PPP pipeline.
• Workshop: Practical exercise in screening and prioritizing hypothetical PPP projects.
• Future trends in project identification (e.g., AI for project scouting).

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.