Developing Public Private Partnerships in Liberia

Liberia is making great strides to recover from its recent era of conflict and reestablish itself as a global competitor. Central to Liberia’s economic growth is its rich endowment of natural resource such as iron ore and rubber. Liberia’s natural resources have defined, in large part, the country’s engagement with the private sector. However, the Government of Liberia is now exploring new ways to partner with the private sector with the objective of growing the economy. One method is by developing public-private partnerships (PPPs) in core infrastructure and social services. This Study examines Liberia’s experience with PPPs to date, as well as its experience with natural resource concessions, and builds on the lessons learned to map out a way forward. The Study looks in depth at the legal and policy enabling environment for PPPs to uncover areas that require strengthening. Likewise, the Study analyzes existing PPPs and natural resource concessions in Liberia to tease out the most pressing obstacles to future PPP investment. This culminates with a review of possible PPP transactions that could be supported in Liberia’s next phase of recovery and growth.