“PPPs for ICT4D” :
Public- Private Partnerships in Information and Communication Technologies for Development
By Edwin Baiada
Foreword:
Public-Private partnership (PPP) has become a code word in development discourse, both on the national scenes and in global economic development. This bibliography references reports, companies and organisations assessing and/or working towards the development of ICTs through partnerships between public and private actors. There is an abundant literature on partnerships in its numerous and various forms in all sectors of the economy but this bibliography specifically focuses on partnerships aimed at improving living conditions for the poor. ICT propagation can give them a chance to bridge the digital divide and gain access to the fabulous wealth of information available on these ever-innovating technologies.
Partnership in ICT
1. Ballantyne, P. 03/2003: Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships for ICT-enabled
Development: IICD Experiences
This paper describers the fabulous potential of ICTs for global development. “E- development” is seen as the way forward to achieve the UN millennium goals. Information and communication technologies can be effective, efficient and empowering tools to enhance citizen involvement in development. ICTs can contribute to decentralisation, capacity-building and make processes and activities more responsive. Ballantyne then takes a look at IICD, a Dutch e-development foundation bent on achieving sustainable development ijn countries including Bolivia, Ghana, Mali and Zambia. The IICD approach is to empower local organisations and share their expertise on the use of ICTs with these organisations and the rest of the community. Their working structure is characterised by “roundtable processes” which consist of networking activities amongst public, private and non-profit organisations.
2. Bassanini, F. 24/5/2002 : Enhancing the Public-Private Dialogue and Partnership in E-Government – Speech at the GCD Conference and Mayor’s Summit (Bologna, Italy)
In this speech, Franco Bassanini, who is a member of the UN High-Level Advisory Panel for ICT, explores the new paradigm of e-governance and its implications for governments and the private sector. He outlines new ways of delivering of services through public-private partnerships rather than solely through the private sector. He underlines the need for universal access to ICTs for access to information but also to enhance the workings of governance. He puts forward the potential of technologies, such as the internet and smart ID cards which could be used for increased citizen participation in an online administrative system.
3. Bovaird, T.2004: Public–Private Partnerships: from Contested Concepts to Prevalent Practice Review of Administrative Sciences, 70(2), 199-215.
This paper analyses public-private partnership arrangements which are becoming increasingly common in numerous countries around the world. The article discusses the formation of partnerships, their pros and cons and what the future may hold for these organisations. Bovaird argues that it is still early days to make definitive judgements about their effectiveness in various sectors. He also stresses the need for the application of good governance in future PPPs and make sure their functions are relevant to the context they are implemented in.
4. Business Partners for Development 2002: Putting Partnerships to Work
Available at:
Business Partners for Development is an association drawing together the private sector, development agencies and NGOs. It is engaged in the study, promotion and support of “tri-sector” partnerships involving government, business and civil society. The report emphasises the benefits of partnerships acquired through complementary competencies and makes its case by referring to various case studies. It also makes recommendations about the conditions required for the implementation of working frameworks and effective cooperation within multi-sectoral partnerships.
5. Charles, C.L , McNulty, S. & Pennell, J. A. 11/1998: Partnering for Results – A User Guide for Intersectoral Partnership
Prepared by USAID for the 1998 Mission Director’s Conference, this guide makes the case for multi-sectoral partnerships in a world of globalisation, declining development funding and civil society empowerment. The handbook first defines partnering and discusses its various forms and functions. It then explains its benefits and outlines the steps to b taken establish partnerships. In the last sections it reveals some of the challenges facing partners in project implementation and the lessons learnt from previous experiences. Finally it shows how the USAID mission director could play a key role in the establishment of such cross-sectoral collaborations.
6. Colombi, D. ; Rafferty, J. & Steyaert, J. 1996: Human Services and Information Technology: An International Perspective Arena Ashgate Publishing, Aldershot (UK)
This compilation of national surveys describing the use of information technologies in human services mentions numerous partnerships established between the public sector and private firms. In this context “human services” encompass social work and other helping professions, which have greatly benefited from the introduction of ICTs in their various structures. Although most accounts (sorted by country) are from Western Europe or North America, the surveys carried out in Russia, Rimania and Micronesia for example illustrate how new technologies have been implemented in relatively poorer environments.
7. Farlam, P. (South African Institute of International Affairs) 2005: Working together: assessing Public–Private Partnerships in Africa
This report examines the potential of PPPs in Africa. It is subdivided into eight case studies on toll roads, ports, prisons, telecommunications, eco-tourism and water and electricity provision. The African telecommunications sector has been subject to considerable private investment over recent years. The case study investigates the Ugandan situation where the government, alongside the World Bank “filled the finance gap” by subsidising the largest national firms to improve accessibility for areas which did not appear profitable enough for private infrastructure providers.
8. Ghana ICT for Accelerated Development (ICT4D) Policy
This 86 page long document is the spine of Ghana’s ICT policy which promotes cooperation with the private sector in many of its approaches. The contributions of the private sector are put forward for the installation of communication networks, creating a export-orientated, high value-added service sector, and for the modernisation of the agro-business industry. The paper allocates a whole section to the “facilitation the development of the private sector” in order to replace the informal sector which is currently the largest employer in Ghana. The government will grant “incentive packages” to accelerate private involvement in ICT s which it considers are going to constitute a key sector of the economy for the future.
9. Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP)
Homepage:
Global knowledge Partnership was created as the direct outcome of the 1997 Knowledge for Development in the Information Age Conference in Toronto. It is concerned with understanding the information revolution and its implications for developing countries. It attempts to share strategies and its experience to build new partnerships that empower the poor with information and knowledge. It also promotes the fostering of international dialogue to further develop information resources and infrastructure in developing countries. It includes a ICT4D platform containing presentations, a photo gallery press releases and a link to WSIS activities.
Their ICT4D Forum Programme is available at:
10. Hartwich, F.; Janssen, W.; Tola, J. (International Service for National Agricultural Research) 2003: What role for public-private partnership in agro-industrial research?
This briefing paper looks at PPPs in agro-industrial research principally in Costa Rica, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and Paraguay. Its key findings were that partnerships arise without the presetting of working frameworks and that they can provide higher benefits than independent action. The work of the agricultural sector committee is seen as the central mechanism in PPP formation and management thanks to their independence from the actual groups. The authors advocate a selective choice of private partners based on their dynamism and resources. They also stress the need to ensure benefits for marginalised people.
11. Holmes, P & Sharp, M. 1989: Strategies for New Technology Philip Allan, Hempstead (UK)
This book surveyed French and British national and corporate strategies in new technology sectors. It is the first and second chapters which are of particular interest as they take a look at the role of the state and the links it has created and cut with private firms. The book underlines the diverging approaches: France establishing very close relationships with its “national champions” and the more liberal stance of the UK. The French cases are particularly relevant as some of its public agencies and research centres worked in partnership with these privileged firms to push the innovation and spread of new technologies.
12. IDRC 2005: Towards Partnership in Organizational Capacity Development
This International Development Research Centre (IDRC) chapter gives a good overview of issues related to partnerships in international development. It focuses on cooperation between national and international organisations, but the ideas conveyed in the article are also applicable to public-private partnerships. The article outlines the crucial elements for the establishment of successful partnerships. These include a clear purpose, a clear role and responsibility definition, joint decision-making and openness and flexibility in the working arrangements. The key statement it puts across is that: “we should think about how a project is enhancing both organizations and not consider a project as an independent entity.”
13. Murray, A. & Duran, X (Institute of Commonwealth Studies) 2001: Getting the poor connected – can public- private partnerships help to overcome the information divide
In a world witnessing the extraordinary progress in ICTs, the rich-poor (North-South) gap remains as deep as ever. Public-private partnerships are seen as the way forward, being the most appropriate model for the delivery of services as they combine the competencies and resources of both sectors. The authors point out some common shortcomings such as the overemphasis on commercial issues, the lack of clear understandings of respective roles and responsibilities or restrictive government policies in IT sectors. The paper preaches an increased involvement from organisations targeted at the very poor, a clear division of labour and thorough information-sharing policy-makers. It concludes that partnerships can provide a viable solution for ICT delivery, but is not necessarily the most effective approach.
14. Sobhan, F. ; Khaleque, M.H & Rahman, S. 2002: Factors Shaping Successful Public Private Partnerships in the ICT Sector In Bangladesh
Report:
This survey is a joint project of The Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit (CPSU),
University of London, The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO). The 40 page long document analyses the whole range of factors affecting ICT PPPs in Bangladesh. It assesses the current status of the ICT sector by looking at the regulatory framework, network development, licensing and training. It then investigates partnership organisations, using a village pay phone project (VPP) as a case study. It uses SWOT analysis tool to evaluate the effectiveness of the VPP project. It concludes that VPP has had a beneficial impact on poverty by creating employment opportunities, enhancing empowerment and providing a valuable communication tool in villages.
15. The Nordic Partnership 2004: A new era of Nordic partnerships for sustainability? Assessing the partnership mindset of Nordic NGOs and businesses
The Nordic Partnership is an association of Nordic companies and NGOs. The paper identifies a number of necessary "next steps" and key recommendations to move on with the partnership practice for business and NGOs. It recommends a “no-nonsense”, step-by-step approach to partnerships by developing mutual understanding and clearly identifying goals and means to achieve effective cooperation. It asserts that Nordic governments have a significant role to play in the facilitation of business-NGO interaction and the formalisation of partnership commitments. It also stresses the need for independent auditing and reporting to improve transparency and hence accountability.
16. Tolentino , P.E.E 1993: Technological Innovation and Third World Multinationals Routledge, New York.
This book investigates the theories and the workings of multinationals in developing countries. Cooperation with public authorities comes into play in the international import and export of technology. The “economic miracle” of the South East Asian “tiger economies” was largely and still is, albeit to a lesser extent, driven by close collaboration between governments and large corporations. The working partnerships between public and private sector are mentioned in various contexts all along this complete reference on MNCs in developing countries.
17. Ulrich, P. Public-Private Partnerships and Financing ICT Developments
This report investigates the role of public-private partnerships in the setting up of ICTs. It starts by classifying different types of PPPs and evaluates their effectiveness in various industrial sectors. Telecommunications, software and media score highly in his assessment, suggesting that PPPs are an effective approach for the development of ICTs. It then investigates partnership funding of ICT developments such as innovation or employment. It looks at how ICT partnerships can enable information access for the poor and argues that partnerships can be the key to attain objectives set by governments for ICT development.
18. Unwin, T 2004 Partnerships in ICT for Education Activities in Africa
Available at:
This brief and comprehensive report outlines some of the key issues in partnerships for education. It summarises the rationale underpinning partnership formation, putting forward public-private and donor-recipient interests. It describes the DFID Imfundo programme and illustrates its involvement by listing its partners and some practical project examples.
Private Companies Partnership Involvements
19. ATIT – Audiovisual Technologies and Telecommunications
Homepage:
ATIT, set up in 1999 is an audio-visual and information technologies company providing audio-visual production, project management and consultancy services. Whilst the production section creates CD-ROMs, tapes and web-sites, the consultancy service provides expertise and advice for clients such as the World Bank, the European Commission or the Ghana Education Service. It collaborates with the World Bank for the implementation of low-cost technologies to support distance learning for isolated or nomadic populations. ATIT works is also working with the Ghana Education Service (GES) to improve the quality of teacher education.
20. Cisco Networking Academy Program
The Academy Networking Program set up by Cisco is aimed at bridging the digital divide by setting up IT training academies for “underserved” communities. The program includes a “Least Developed Countries Initiative”, introduced after the G 8 summit in July 2000, in which it works with the UNDP, United Nations Information Technology Service (UNIteS) and USAID. The stated goal is to meet the urgent development needs of LDCs through private and public sector collaboration for the provisio9n of internet infrastructure and training. Participating countries are spread over Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia. By June 2004, 53 internet Training Centres were up and running, with over 3200 students enrolled (including 916 females).
21. Ford Motor Company Global Reporting Initiative – HIV / AIDS Program -
December 2004 Report available at:
In 1999, Ford set up this HIV/AIDS program in South Africa which it extended to a global policy in 2003. It enforces non-discrimination, health & safety regulations and support in employment. It works with the World Health Organisation, UNAIDS and the International Labour Organisation to constantly improve its standards and hinder the propagation of HIV/AIDS where the company is implanted. The company provides monitoring, training and counselling on the workplace and using ICTs for its employees in China,India, Southern Africa, Thailand and the Russian Federation.
22. Institute for Public-Private Partnerships, Inc. (IP3)
Homepage:
The Institute for Public-Private Partnerships is an international PPP training and consulting firm working with public agencies, businesses and NGOs in various sectors, including ICTs. It provides courses and advice on partnership formation and management with particular attention to institutional design, goal definition and contract formulation and monitoring. Its principal objective and focus is capacity-building and sustainability. Some of its partners include the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the DFID and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
It has produced numerous publications which can be accessed at:
Projects
23. African Sky Project: an alternative solution to bridge the digital divide
The African Sky Project attempts to establish partnerships with private investors for the provision of telecommunication infrastructure in all 53 African countries. The project has already attracted a few companies willing to invest and supply the technical expertise needed for its implementation. African Sky will mostly use satellite technology to connect people regardless of their geographical location. The coverage provided by broadband satellites will, according to the author, offer reduced costs and reliable high-quality connections. The objective is to open the doors of the internet, e-mail and e-commerce to all African people.
24. Bridging the Gender Digital Divide Through Strategic Partnerships
The purpose of this initiative is to build strategic partnerships between African IT entrepreneurs working on the UN ICT Task Force Digital Diaspora programme, business associations and women groups. The aim is to pool resources – both human and financial- to tackle female poverty. The approach focuses on ICT capacity-building by expanding knowledge on ICTs and poverty alleviation in order to empower women. The program is concerned with financial self-help for women, helping them in identifying business opportunities, fund provision and partnership formation with other businesses. The ongoing project, which started in December 2003, hasn’t yet issued any report but they will become available on the link listed above as soon as they become available.
25. Community-Led Infrastructure Financing Facility (CLIFF)
Launched in 2000, CLIFF is a facility providing loans, guarantees and technical assistance to encourage and support private sector investment in community-led regeneration projects. It is implemented under the Cities Alliance programme by Homeless International ( Its objective is to “scale-up” community-led projects through new networks of international finance, local government and “slumdwellers” and is mainly involved in housing projects. The people involved in CLIFF are firm believers in community exchange and mutual learning to come up with new ideas to reduce poverty.