MASU presents: Norma Sephuma Kamushinda

Norma Sephuma Kamushinda, Public Private Partnership (PPP) Specialist

Emerging Development Trends on the African Continent: Behind the Eight Ball or Not?

In recent times, Africa has emerged as the new Frontier for growth and investment. Whilst GDP growth rates have, on average, been rising, much still needs to be done to address the challenges that have surfaced out of rapid urbanization and high population growth rates, while alleviating poverty and reducing inequality, all in the face of limited and constrained resources. New political and economic trends have begun to emerge on the continent that mean it is no longer business as usual in the public sector. The increasingly complex environment requires a versatile public sector that is responsive, and adapts and improves both skills and processes to effectively deliver public services. As we all know, most African countries are starting from a low economic base, which presents challenges but also opportunities for both governments and the private sector. This talk will examine how African countries should position themselves to maximize on these opportunities while addressing the inherent challenges with respect to PPPs.

Ms. Sephuma worked in the central bank of Botswana, Bank of Botswana, for 14 years in foreign reserves management before joining the national Privatisation Agency. She then joined the Southern African Development Conference (SADC) Public Private Partnership (PPP) Network, whose mandate is to help build capacity in PPP development and implementation across the SADC region, and which involved working with different Governments in the 14 member States. In the last year, she was an independent consultant at the African Development Bank (AfDB) helping set up the Regional PPP Advisory Hub for the Southern Africa region - consulting with Governments, liaising with strategic partners and other PPP stakeholders that support Governments in the development and implementation of PPP programs and projects. Beginning October 2015, she is an independent consultant in the area of PPPs. Ms. Sephuma holds an MBA degree from Exeter University in the United Kingdom.

Sponsored by the Maxwell African Scholars Union at the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs