Bridging Sustainability Gap: Opportunities and Barriers for Green Public-Private Partnerships in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Green Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are gaining traction as collaborative mechanisms for advancing sustainable energy goals in developing economies. In Zimbabwe, however, the institutional environment poses both opportunities and constraints to the  effective implementation. This study investigates how the regulative, normative, and cognitive pillars of Zimbabwe’s institutional landscape influence the development of green PPPs in the energy sector, using Institutional Theory as an analytical lens. A structured survey was administered to 120 purposively selected stakeholders from government agencies, private energy firms, NGOs, and donor organizations in Harare Metropolitan Province. The survey employed a 5-point Likert scale to assess stakeholder perceptions across institutional dimensions. Findings reveal that while there is strong conceptual support for green PPPs, challenges such as weak regulatory enforcement, inter-sectoral mistrust, and a lack of shared sustainability values continue to hinder collaboration. Prior experience with PPPs was identified as a key factor influencing stakeholder readiness to engage. The study recommends policy interventions aimed at fostering trust, aligning institutional norms, and strengthening the regulatory framework to support sustainable energy partnerships.