The conceptualization of pro-poor PPPs of the Ministry of Regional and Local Government and Housing (MRLGH) and of the Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) can be articulated as follows:
o The government must ensure that services delivered are affordable and paid for.
o The private sector must be involved in the delivery of services but it must be ready to accept that in pro-poor PPPs the profit margins can only be limited.
o The ability of the poor to pay for the services must be actively supported.
The PCU has regarded the pilot projects as an innovative experience to try to attract private sector service providers willing to contribute to the aspirations of local authorities and to share the intrinsic social costs involved in providing and delivering basic services.
It should be noted that in Namibia the absence of a clear vision and direction from UNDP Global and Local Office has led to a flexible and pragmatic approach but also to a lack of focus.