Suriname

Suriname lacks a dedicated PPP regulatory framework and central PPP unit, leaving project development dependent on general procurement rules and the responsibilities of individual ministries. The Ministry of Public Works issued exploratory PPP guidelines in 2022, but these remain nonbinding.¹ Parliament approved the National Procurement Act in November 2024, paving the way toward the modernization of public procurement, although its commencement and operational implementation remained unconfirmed as of October 2026.^2,3 Meanwhile, a binding environmental assessment decree introduced in 2025 strengthened safeguards for infrastructure projects.⁴ These developments have improved aspects of the broader regulatory environment, but have yet to establish the institutional arrangements and standardized procedures needed for a sustained PPP program.

Suriname's PPP market remains nascent, with limited evidence of projects reaching financial close under structured public-private arrangements. Although the country has attracted private infrastructure investment, including the US$14.5 million Kuldipsingh Port expansion financed in 2023, this involved a privately owned port rather than a conventional PPP.⁵ Recent initiatives suggest some interest in expanding private participation. The government's 2026 budget calls for assessing a potential PPP model for the Matta-Apoera road, while discussions with the World Bank Group in October 2026 explored International Finance Corporation involvement in modernizing and expanding Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport.^6,7 Both initiatives remain preliminary, however, and a sustained PPP pipeline has yet to emerge.

Political interest in PPPs has been expressed across successive administrations, although it remains largely at the level of policy statements and has not translated into sustained project activity or concrete implementation efforts involving development partners. The Multi-Annual Development Plan 2022-2026 identified specific PPP initiatives in waste management and digital infrastructure,⁸ while the current administration (2025 to present) has referenced potential PPP arrangements for public bridges, road maintenance and waste management in its 2026 budget and financial plan.^9,10 The governing National Democratic Party's electoral platform also endorses public-private infrastructure investment,¹¹ but it lacks a clear implementation strategy. Across political parties, civil society or commentators, there is little documented vocal opposition to PPPs, but this does not necessarily indicate broad public endorsement.

Despite its weak overall performance, Suriname demonstrates relatively favorable political support for PPPs. Successive administrations have maintained a published, sector-focused PPP agenda, although this has not translated into substantial project activity. Financial auditing and reporting standards also perform above the regional average, at 83.3 compared with 69.9. However, these strengths largely reflect political commitment and broader financial governance arrangements rather than established PPP-specific capabilities.

Suriname ranks last in the region for regulations and institutions, scoring 19.4 in the category. The absence of a dedicated PPP unit and comprehensive regulatory framework for PPPs undermines its ability to develop and oversee projects. Performance in project preparation and sustainability also remains exceptionally weak, with limited procedures for project appraisal, prioritization and preparation. These deficiencies are compounded by inadequate risk allocation and contract monitoring requirements, alongside general financing constraints that further limit opportunities for bankable PPPs.

Suriname has made limited but meaningful progress on environmental safeguards. Binding regulations introduced in 2025 established environmental assessment, community consultation and disclosure requirements for infrastructure projects, raising its environmental and community impacts score from 5.0 to 40.0. However, broader project preparation capacity remains weak. The National Procurement Act, adopted by parliament in 2024, represents another potential reform, but its commencement and implementation remain unconfirmed. Overall, Suriname's index score increased modestly since 2023/24, without changing its last-place regional ranking.