MULENGA, Martha Chilufya2026-05-142026https://research.unilus.ac.zm/handle/123456789/639Bachelor Of Arts in Public Administration - Research ReportPublic–Private Partnerships (PPPs) are widely used to finance and deliver large infrastructure projects, particularly in developing countries facing resource constraints. However, the success of such projects depends largely on how risks are allocated and managed among stakeholders. In Zambia, limited empirical evidence exists on how risk-sharing mechanisms influence the performance and sustainability of major urban infrastructure initiatives. This study examined risk-sharing mechanisms in the Lusaka Water Supply, Sanitation, and Drainage (LWSSD) Project to determine their effects on service delivery efficiency in water supply, operationalperformance and sustainability in sanitation, and the mitigation of construction and environmental risks in drainage infrastructure.The study adopted a quantitative research approach using a survey design. Data were collected from government officials, private sector partners, and community representatives through structured questionnaires containing closed-ended questions. Stratified random sampling was employed to ensure representation of the major stakeholder groups involved in or affected by the project. The findings revealed that risk-sharing mechanisms significantly influenced project performance across the three components. In the water supply sector, balanced allocation of operational responsibilities was associated with improved service delivery efficiency, although challenges such as maintenance constraints and limited institutional capacity persisted. In the sanitation component, unclear allocation of operation and maintenance responsibilities was associated with reduced system utilisation and threats to long-term sustainability. In thedrainage component, infrastructure investments contributed to reduced flooding risks, but insufficient coordination and undefined maintenance responsibilities posed risks to the durability of these benefits. The study concludes that effective risk-sharing arrangements are critical for enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of PPP infrastructure projects. The findings suggest that policymakers and project implementers should emphasise clarity in contractual obligations, alignment of risk allocation with stakeholder capacity, and strong institutional frameworks for monitoring and maintenance. The study recommends strengthening regulatory oversight, building technical capacity within implementing agencies, and improving stakeholder coordination to sustain project outcomes. Further research is recommended to examine long-term performance of PPP projects in Zambia and to conduct comparative quantitative analyses across infrastructure sectors. Keywords: Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs); risk-sharing mechanisms risk-sharing mechanisms; infrastructure performance; water supply; sanitation; drainage; service delivery efficiency; sustainability; ZambiaenThesis