Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are a critical mechanism for mobilizing private investment to develop infrastructure and essential services in emerging markets. Yet, a large number of PPP projects struggle to reach financial close due to poor project preparation, fragmented risk allocation, limited institutional capacity, and the absence of standardized, investable financing structures. These challenges are further compounded by underdeveloped capital markets and the high perceived risk of investing in low- and middle-income countries.
Blended finance—defined as the strategic use of concessional public or philanthropic capital to mobilize private investment—is increasingly seen as a practical solution to make PPPs viable. When applied effectively at project level, blended finance enables governments to de-risk transactions, align with investor mandates, and attract institutional capital. Yet, implementation remains fragmented and unscalable.
This policy brief synthesizes insights from the March 2025 WAPPP webinar, conducted in partnership with Convergence Blended Finance, and focuses specifically on project-level interventions. It presents a set of standardized Private Investment Mobilization Models (PIMMs), the critical role of technical assistance (TA), and real-world applications from Africa. The aim is to promote replicable, scalable strategies for structuring and financing investment-ready PPPs.