The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model has significantly improved Hajj services in Saudi Arabia, increasing efficiency and reducing challenges faced by pilgrims, the Executive Director of the PPP Centre, David Kafulila, has said.
Speaking in his Eid al-Adha message to Muslims worldwide, Kafulila said one of the clearest examples of PPP success is the major improvement at King Abdulaziz International Airport, a key gateway used by millions of pilgrims travelling to Makkah every year.
He said that before the reforms, pilgrims often spent between six and ten hours completing airport procedures during peak Hajj periods, leading to fatigue and delays in their spiritual journey.
However, after the implementation of a PPP project valued at about 249 million US dollars, processing time has now been reduced to between 45 minutes and one hour.
Kafulila said the change has greatly improved the experience of pilgrims by making travel smoother, faster, and more organized, especially at a time when millions of people converge in a short period for religious duties.
The project was implemented under a 20-year concession agreement between the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and the Hajj and Umrah Terminals Development Company.
The private consortium includes the Saudi Binladin Group and Aéroports de Paris Management, with technical and financial advisory support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Kafulila said this success story is a clear example of how PPP arrangements can improve public service delivery when properly designed and managed, especially in large infrastructure projects that serve high numbers of users.
He said Tanzania can learn important lessons from such international experiences by strengthening PPP frameworks in sectors such as aviation, transport, energy, and other public infrastructure projects.
“The improvements at King Abdulaziz International Airport show how cooperation between the public and private sectors can deliver real results in efficiency, service quality, and customer experience,” Kafulila said.
He added that PPPs are not only about funding projects but also about improving systems, introducing innovation, and ensuring better service delivery for the public.
Kafulila also referred to global aviation trends, noting that although PPP-operated airports make up only about 14 percent of airports worldwide, they handle nearly 40 percent of global passenger traffic, according to 2023 data. He said this clearly shows the efficiency and effectiveness of the PPP model.
He emphasized that such achievements demonstrate the importance of strong planning, transparency, and accountability in implementing PPP projects to ensure they deliver value to citizens.
Kafulila reaffirmed the PPP Centre’s commitment to supporting sustainable infrastructure development in Tanzania through partnerships that prioritize efficiency, quality service delivery, and long-term public benefit.
