CoST’s new portal, ‘Private Sector Perspectives on Infrastructure’ is a visual demonstration of the private sector’s views of infrastructure, and corruption risks in Africa and Latin America. The project was implemented by CoST as part of our work in Galvanising the Private Sector, supporting a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities that the sector faces. The portal is available in English and Spanish.
Some key findings from the targeted research highlighted views from the private sector including:
- a belief that there is a lack of level playing field in the sector;
- 41% of the respondents in Africa and 60% in Latin America indicated uncertainty of the adequacy of anti-corruption measures, with many expressing sanctions to deter corruption in the sector are not enforced;
- most private sector actors didn’t believe that infrastructure projects meet the needs of citizens.
The project, supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the British Embassy in Panama, focused on:
- Analyzing the availability and quality of data in national public procurement portals to assess how transparent and accessible information is for private companies. This includes the average number of bidders, the awarded and budgeted amount for projects, and time for bid submission.
- Conducting targeted research to identify the main barriers and incentives for private sector involvement, particularly in relation to competition and market access, pricing, data use and quality of public works. This included surveys, workshops, and detailed discussions with hundreds of private sector representatives.
The portal has a dynamic dashboard, highlighting findings by region for comparative data and insights. Stakeholders can also look at individual country reports across 15 countries. Both regional and national data can be used by government, media, and CSOS to inform decision making, such as making reforms; it can be used by the private sector to understand market competition. The portal helps to strengthen the relationship between the private sector and the public sector through increased understanding. The findings include private sector views on performance, the legal and regulatory framework, ethics, corruption risks, and more.
The CoST approach, including a multi-stakeholder approach at its heart, is essential to improve trust and transparency in infrastructure investment with the private sector. We will continue to work with our members and other parties to progress the findings in our work.
Take a look at the website: https://private-sector.infrastructuretransparency.org
This work builds on CoST’s existing work with the private sector, including developing tech-based solutions for integrity risks and joining the Galvanize the Private Sector (GPS) as Partners in Combating Corruption with US State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), UNODC, the Center for International Private Sector and OECD. CoST has also highlighted the importance of private sector working at conferences, resources, and the work of individual members, such as CoST Uganda.
CoST, the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative (CoST) is a leading global non-profit improving transparency, participation, and accountability in infrastructure to deliver quality infrastructure that improves lives and strengthens economies. Stay up to date with our latest work through our newsletter and our social media: LinkedIn, Instagram, X/Twitter and Facebook.