Public-private partnerships in Madagascar : a promising approach to increase sustainability of piped water supply systems in rural towns : paper pre...

Longevity of piped water supply systems remains an elusive goal in rural Madagascar. In 1999, the local enterprise Sandandrano  negotiated the first Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the Malagasy water supply sector. Other companies have followed suit and now there are an estimated 20 piped water systems under private management in the country, collectively providing sustainable services to an estimated 120,000 people in rural areas. This paper explores the evolution of the PPP model for the construction and management of piped water systems in rural Madagascar. Three case studies highlight how PPP have proven effective at increasing service levels in three geographically diverse settings. Four key factors: political will, size and geographic location, latent demand, and donor support, which have contributed to make the PPP model successful are discussed, as are recommendations for replicating the model in large rural towns where the opportunities are greatest, and the cycle of construction, mismanagement, and abandonment of piped water systems is most pervasive. [authors abstract]