Getting it right first time: Airport privatisation south of the Sahara

Abstract

Sub-Saharan African airports are struggling to meet the increasing demand for air travel generated by the region's growing economies. With their budgets spread over a range of infrastructure expansion programmes, including airports, governments have started to look at privatisation as an attractive option for shifting airport development and operations to the private sector. This paper describes the options available to airports, looks at how governments can optimise their financial returns, and examines at the advantages and disadvantages of public–private partnerships. The paper is based on the author's presentation at the ACI's World/Africa Annual General Assembly in Marrakech in November 2011.