Focusing on North African countries and providing a comprehensive case study of Morocco, the present report explores the necessary conditions for public-private partnerships to be employed optimally as a means of economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. North African countries are among the worst performers among lower middle-income countries when it comes to the translation of public spending into economic growth. While public-private partnerships can serve as a solution to improve investment efficiency in North Africa, few projects in the sub-region have been financed through such partnerships. Following an introduction on public-private partnership contracts and their limitations, the need for public investment and the role it plays in the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis is discussed in the context of the long-term challenges caused by the crisis and climate change. The enabling environment for public-private partnerships in North Africa is then examined and policy recommendations are made for the creation and use of such partnerships as a policy instrument to increase the efficiency of public spending.
