Kinshasa, 17 July 2026 – The Forum of Parliaments of the Member States of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR) concluded a three-day online capacity-building workshop for MPs on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) on 17 July 2026. Organized in partnership with the Chandler Institute of Justice (CIJ) and with the support of the ProSovereign Global, the workshop aimed to strengthen the capacity of Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff from FP-ICGLR Member Parliaments to oversee, support, and contribute to the development and implementation of effective Public-Private Partnership (PPP) frameworks. The Chandler Institute of Justice (CIJ) supports leaders, lawmakers, and legislative bodies across Africa through the development of model laws.
During the three days, participants examined the legal, institutional, and financial dimensions of Public-Private Partnerships, covering international best practices, project preparation, transparency and procurement procedures, budgeting, and parliamentary oversight. Interactive discussions and practical exercises enabled participants to exchange experiences, explore common challenges faced by Member States, and identify practical solutions for improving PPP governance across the Great Lakes Region.
The first session familiarized participants with the fundamental principles of Public-Private Partnerships, including their definition, the different stages of the PPP project lifecycle, and the role of Parliament in enacting PPP legislation while ensuring effective oversight of public expenditure and safeguarding the public interest through robust accountability mechanisms.
A key highlight of the workshop was the presentation and analysis of the ICGLR Model Law on Public-Private Partnerships. Participants reviewed the draft Model Law, discussed its key provisions, assessed its applicability within their respective national legal systems, and formulated recommendations aimed at facilitating its future adoption and effective implementation across FP-ICGLR Member States.
The final day focused on advanced aspects of parliamentary oversight, including PPP financing, fiscal sustainability, risk allocation, audit processes, transparency, and accountability. Participants also explored how effective parliamentary oversight can strengthen investor confidence while ensuring the responsible management of public resources and delivering long-term value for citizens.
The workshop drew on comparative African experiences in the regulation and implementation of Public-Private Partnerships, including the Bulk Water Project in Rwanda and the Bujagali Project in Uganda, highlighting the growing establishment of dedicated legal and institutional PPP frameworks across the continent. Participants recognized that sound legislation, strong institutions, and consistent parliamentary oversight are essential to attracting sustainable private investment.
Facilitated by Mr. Brian Fix and enriched by contributions from other experts, the workshop provided participants with practical knowledge and valuable legal insights into the design, implementation, and oversight of Public-Private Partnerships. Mr. Brian Fix is a consultant in cross-border transactions in Europe and Africa, providing legal advice, business advice to multinational companies, governments, development finance institutions and universities operating in the U.S., France or Africa. He serves on several non-profit Boards within the U.S. Also leads negotiations for a wide range of cross-border transactions, particularly public-private partnerships, international joint ventures, French acquisitions and restructuring, and foreign investment in emerging markets.
In closing the workshop, the FP-ICGLR Secretariat General reaffirmed the Forum's commitment to supporting Member Parliaments in strengthening their legislative and oversight capacities in order to promote transparent, accountable, and sustainable Public-Private Partnerships throughout the Great Lakes Region.
About the FP-ICGLR
The Forum of Parliaments of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR) is an inter-parliamentary organization composed of the National Parliaments of the 12 ICGLR Member States. It promotes parliamentary cooperation and contributes to the implementation of the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region through legislative action, oversight, representation and parliamentary diplomacy.
