Kenya’s experience in Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) is emerging as a model for infrastructure development across Africa, with major projects demonstrating how private sector investment can help governments finance large-scale developments.
Treasury Principal Secretary Dr Chris Kiptoo said successful projects such as the Nairobi Expressway had demonstrated the potential of PPPs in delivering critical infrastructure while reducing pressure on government budgets.
Kiptoo cited the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway (NNM), whose first 139-kilometre phase is under construction, as well as the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) housing programme targeting 3,069 units across five military establishments, as further examples of the financing model in action.
He made the remarks during the opening of the 16th Africa PPP Infrastructure Finance, Investment and Partnerships Summit in Nairobi, which brought together government representatives, development finance institutions, investors and private sector leaders from across the world.
The event was also attended by Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui and Tanzania’s Minister of Works Masanja K. Kadogosa.
Speaking in his capacity as Chairman of the PPP Committee, Kiptoo challenged African countries to explore domestic financing opportunities to support infrastructure development, reduce reliance on external borrowing and ease pressure on national budgets.
He noted that African pension funds, insurance companies and other institutional investors hold substantial long-term savings that could be channelled into infrastructure projects through well-structured investment frameworks.
According to Kiptoo, such investments could support the development of roads, ports, airports, energy networks and water systems, while stimulating economic growth and creating employment opportunities.
His remarks come amid growing calls for African governments to explore alternative infrastructure financing models as they seek to address development needs while managing public debt and competing demands on national budgets.