PPP FRAMEWORK
Nigeria’s PPP Framework provides a transparent, structured and investor-friendly process for planning, procuring, implementing and monitoring infrastructure concessions that deliver long-term public value.
WHAT IS A PPP?
A Public–Private Partnership is a long-term contract between a government authority and a private partner to design, finance, build and operate infrastructure or services on behalf of the public.
Governments use PPPs to accelerate delivery, transfer performance risk to specialists and unlock private capital — while retaining strategic oversight on behalf of citizens, investors and lenders.
Public and private partners share risks according to who can best manage them.
Unlocks long-term private capital for national infrastructure.
Delivers assets built to serve citizens for decades.
Combines public accountability with private-sector performance.
PRINCIPLES
Six enduring principles guide every concession the Commission regulates.
Every stage of a PPP is publicly disclosed — from origination through operations — building citizen and investor trust.
Open, competitive procurement ensures the best partner delivers the best value for the Nigerian public.
Every concession is tested to prove it delivers superior outcomes compared with traditional public procurement.
Clear roles, contracts and monitoring mechanisms hold every party to their commitments.
Projects are structured for long-term environmental, social and financial resilience.
Risks are transferred to the party best able to manage them, protecting public interest and project viability.
A transparent six-stage process that takes every concession from concept to long-term public benefit.
MDAs identify infrastructure needs aligned with national priorities.
Technical, financial and environmental viability is rigorously tested.
ICRC issues an Outline Business Case Certificate of Compliance.
Open, competitive tendering selects the preferred private partner.
Construction and commissioning are delivered under contract terms.
The asset is operated and monitored across the concession lifecycle.
A single continuous flow — publicly disclosed at every stage.
Every PPP depends on clear responsibilities across six groups of actors.
Federal Government
Sets national infrastructure priorities and enabling policy.
ICRC
Regulates the entire PPP lifecycle across the federation.
MDAs
Originate, procure and manage projects in their sectors.
Private Sector
Designs, finances, builds and operates concession assets.
Lenders
Provide long-term debt to bankable PPP projects.
Citizens
Are the ultimate beneficiaries and monitors of PPPs.
The Commission’s procurement toolbox — every route safeguards value and competition.
Open advertisement, prequalification, RFP and evaluation to select the highest-scoring bidder.
ADVANTAGES
When Used
The default method for most PPP concessions.
An unsolicited proposal is publicly challenged; original proponent may match the best counter-offer.
ADVANTAGES
When Used
When a compelling unsolicited proposal has strategic merit.
Contract awarded directly to a qualified partner under strictly defined exceptional conditions.
ADVANTAGES
When Used
Emergencies, national security or single-source technology cases.
Open advertisement, prequalification, RFP and evaluation to select the highest-scoring bidder.
ADVANTAGES
When Used
For novel projects not previously on the government pipeline.
The Commission’s procurement toolbox — every route safeguards value and competition.
Speciffically, Roads, bridges and urban mobility.
Power generation, transmission and renewables.
Hospitals, diagnostics and specialist care.
Schools, universities and skills & development facilities.
Supply, sanitation and treatment infrastructure.
Agro-processing and value-chain infrastructure.
Affordable and social housing programmes.
Broadband, data centres and digital infrastructure.
Airports, terminals and air-traffic services.
Ports and jetties, plus all inland waterways.
Both Passenger and freight rail concessions.
Destinations, resorts and our cultural assets.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
The instruments that govern every federal PPP — from statute to circular.
ICRC Act 2005
2005
The founding legislation establishing the Commission and its regulatory powers over federal concessions.
Download PDFNational Policy on PPP
2013
Nigeria's comprehensive national policy guiding PPP strategy and implementation.
Download PDFPublic Procurement Act
2007
Guide For public procurement processes that intersect with PPP tendering and awards.
Download PDFPPP Regulations Act
2014
Detailed regulations implementing the ICRC Act's provisions on concession management.
Download PDFPPP Agreement Model Guide
2026
Guide For public procurement processes that intersect with PPP tendering and awards.
Download PDFFederal Executive Council Circulars
Various
Periodic directives issued by the Federal Executive Council affecting PPP procedure.
Download PDFICRC Guidelines & Toolkits
Ongoing
Practical toolkits and guidance notes published by ICRC to support PPP practitioners.
View Guidelines
Sovereign-backed frameworks and dedicated MDA partners.
Every bid evaluated against publicly disclosed criteria.
Concessions structured for 15–30 year cash-flow horizons.
Africa's largest market and a rapidly urbanising population.
Codified through the ICRC Act, Regulations and Guidelines.
Direct alignment with the federal infrastructure agenda.
FAQ
Answers for investors, developers, MDAs and citizens.
A long-term contract between a public authority and a private partner to design, finance, build and operate infrastructure or services on behalf of the public.
Investors bid through competitive tenders published by MDAs and monitored by ICRC, or submit unsolicited proposals under the Swiss Challenge framework.
The default is Competitive Tender. Swiss Challenge, Direct and Unsolicited routes are available only under strictly defined conditions set out in the ICRC guidelines.
Risks are transferred to the party best able to manage them, using the ICRC Risk Allocation Toolkit as a starting point for each concession.
Through blended structures combining private equity, senior debt from commercial and development banks, and — where appropriate — sovereign or multilateral support.
ICRC issues Certificates of Compliance at key milestones, publishes standards and monitors disclosure and contract performance across every federal concession.
Concession terms typically range from 15 to 30 years, calibrated to the asset’s economic life and the investor’s cost-recovery horizon.
Whether you’re an investor, developer, ministry or citizen, discover how ICRC is creating a transparent infrastructure ecosystem.
