NYUNDU, Aggrey Ngombo2025-09-262025https://research.unilus.ac.zm/handle/123456789/610Master of Science in Project Management - DissertationGovernments world over increasingly recognize the provision of safe water and sanitation as one of the major development challenges of the time. This challenge is even more severe in developing economies such as Zambia, a low-income country characterized by unprecedented urbanization. In light of the adventures to make available social needs, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) have gained popularity and have become a preferred procurement tool for governments. Despite the procurement method being prevalent and of acknowledged importance, research in its applicability, acceptance and suitability has been on going. This academic undertaking took a qualitative approach and used semi structured interviews which served as the data collection tool. The interviewees consisted of experienced experts from the public and private sector sampled purposively. The analysis of the field data diagnosed the institutional maturity to handle PPPs and identified the strengths as well as inadequacies in the PPP in the sector of interest. Thus, the first two objectives sort to assess the weakness and strengths of PPP. Also, the study assessed some perceived strengths which included among others, enhanced Innovation and technology transfer, improved efficiency and effectiveness, better risk management and increased private sector investment. The study found that lack technical experts or a better mix of expertise in implementing Agencies, corruption and underdeveloped institutions are major challenges hampering the implementation processes in the water sector. It was also observed that, some of the utility infrastructure deteriorated shortly after installation. This to some extent was attributed to poor design and maintenance practices, and to some extent, confirms opinions by some schools of thought that, Private sector expend less significance to quality as compared to profit maximization. The study recommends that clearer and more transparent guidelines and policy framework for PPPs be formulated and that there is need for more community engagement. Future studies may be conducted to determine effective implementation of PPP programs in the Zambian water sector. Key words: viability, procurement method, capacity building, sustainability, stakeholder management.enThesis