How the GIF helps governments build successful infrastructure projects

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Nothing about infrastructure is quick, easy or cheap. Every step—conceptualization, feasibility studies, design, financing, construction, operations, maintenance, and stakeholder communications—takes a lot of time, money, coordination and planning. Unfortunately, in most cases, no single institution has the capacity to handle such complexity on its own, while at the same time private sector investors and financiers who have trillions to invest have not been able to find pipeline of bankable or investment ready projects. In this reality, pulling off a successful infrastructure project requires a great deal of knowledge and expertise that is best found through collaboration.

The Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF) is here to help in just these occasions. We work with our Technical Partners including major multilateral development banks to support governments with the design, structuring and implementation of complex projects in collaboration with international financial institutions and private sector investors. Our work builds a pipeline of sustainable infrastructure investment projects that meet the needs of our government clients, investors, and end users, unlocking billions of dollars for infrastructure in developing countries.

We start by looking for infrastructure projects that are in line with the government’s priorities and that offer the potential of commercially viable returns. We then provide technical support and financial resources to prepare them for market. After two years of operations, GIF is already supporting 20 investment projects that could mobilize over $13 billion in financing. 

Here are some examples of our projects:

  • In Ukraine, the GIF is partnering with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to assess and prepare a potential concession for the Port of Oktyabrsk on the Black Sea’s Dnieper-Bug estuary.
  • In Argentina, the GIF is providing programmatic support for both highway and water sector infrastructure investment through the World Bank Group.
  • In Ghana, the GIF is funding an assessment of an inland port and railway bypass project that is expected to increase logistical efficiencies and facilitate export and trade for both the country and the region.


Who we are

The Global Infrastructure Facility is a partnership of governments, multilateral development banks and private sector financiers that facilitates private sector investments in complex infrastructure projects in emerging economies.

The GIF provides support to its clients—governments—through its multi-development bank partners, who lead the implementation of GIF projects. Our team of 9 full-time staff, based in Washington, Singapore and Toyko, consists of technical experts with significant private sector experience.
                                                                                                                                                                         

How to work with us

The GIF has a straightforward application process. Governments and/or GIF Technical Partners interested in GIF support can start by submitting a brief overview of a proposed project or infrastructure investment program that includes the status of the project and expected needs. Proposed projects should seek to mobilize private capital, be climate-smart and/or trade-enabling and fall into one of the following sectors:
  • Transportation
  • Energy
  • Water & sanitation
  • Telecommunications
These project proposals may be submitted to the GIF Management Unit by a government directly, or by a GIF Technical Partner on behalf of a government. ­The GIF Management Unit will review the Project Overview, discuss the project with its proponents, and where initial eligibility is established provide support with the completion of the formal application process.
 
Learn more about us on our website at www.globalinfrafacility.org.


We look forward to hear from you: Flagging a new World Bank Group consultation on the Guidelines for the Development of a Policy for Managing Unsolicited Proposals in Infrastructure Projects.  Submit your feedback here - Now open through May 7, 2017.
 

Authors

Jason Zhengrong Lu

Global Lead for Water and Finance, World Bank

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