Public-Private Partnerships in Urban Infrastructure: Evidence from Abuja Mass Transit and Road Projects

This study empirically evaluates the performance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in delivering urban infrastructure in Abuja, Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory within the North Central geopolitical zone. As Nigerian governments increasingly turn to PPPs to address infrastructure financing gaps, a critical examination of whether existing partnership frameworks deliver promised efficiency and value is essential. A comparative case study design is employed, examining four infrastructure PPP projects in Abuja including the Abuja Light Rail and selected road corridor concessions, using project document analysis, financial performance data, and 40 in-depth interviews with government project managers, private concession operators, financial analysts, and independent evaluators. The PPP Performance Framework and Transaction Cost Economics Theory jointly provide the theoretical lens. Findings reveal significant variation in PPP outcomes, with projects characterised by comprehensive feasibility assessments, clearly defined risk allocation structures, and independent project management offices outperforming those driven by political expediency. The Abuja Light Rail concession demonstrates chronic under-performance attributable to unrealistic ridership projections, poor maintenance investment by the concessionaire, and the government's failure to enforce contractual obligations. Recommendations include mandatory risk allocation reviews before PPP contract execution, the establishment of a national PPP infrastructure performance database, and independent third-party evaluation of PPP contracts at five-year intervals. Keywords: public-private partnerships, urban infrastructure, Abuja, concession, PPP performance.