In a public-private partnership, why are risks shared between the public and private partners?

• A. Sharing risks helps leverage private sector efficiency and mobilize private capital while keeping public oversight.
• B. Only private sector bears all risk.
• C. Public sector bears all risk; private sector has no liability.
• D. Risk sharing reduces accountability.

Answer: (C)

In PPPs, risks are allocated to the party best able to manage them. This alignment of responsibility encourages efficiency and makes it easier to attract private capital because lenders and investors see clearer, outcome-based incentives. The private sector typically handles construction, financing, and day-to-day operation risks, while the public sector retains oversight and responsibility for public interests, policy consistency, and high-level regulatory risk. When risks are properly shared, the project is more likely to be delivered on time, within budget, and to the required service levels, because each partner concentrates on what they can control and influence most effectively.

Saying that all risk sits with the public sector ignores the private partner’s role in delivering the project and providing capital, while claiming risk sharing reduces accountability is inaccurate—the contract ties payments and penalties to performance, strengthening accountability.