The Infrascope 2010 marked one of the earliest regional benchmarks assessing Latin America’s infrastructure readiness for Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs).
Developed by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), this first edition offered a detailed snapshot of the preparedness of Latin American and Caribbean countries to attract and manage private investment in key infrastructure sectors.

Methodology

The 2010 Infrascope evaluated countries based on five foundational pillars:

1. Legal and regulatory framework
2. Institutional capacity
3. Operational maturity
4. Investment and business climate
5. Financial facilities

These dimensions reflected the building blocks of PPP readiness at the time—focusing on whether governments had the laws, institutions, and financing mechanisms needed to engage private partners effectively.

The Post-Crisis Context

Emerging from the 2008–2009 Global Financial Crisis, Latin America faced a dual challenge: reviving economic growth while addressing a significant infrastructure gap.
The 2010 Infrascope report positioned PPPs as a critical tool for mobilizing private capital amid tightening public budgets, emphasizing transparency, risk allocation, and institutional credibility as prerequisites for success.

Data Accessibility

The original Infrascope 2010 dataset, including country scores, rankings, and methodological notes, remains available for historical and comparative research.
Researchers can access archived versions through the IDB Open Data platform and the EIU’s project documentation, which preserves these early insights into Latin America’s PPP evolution.

Key Findings and Country Rankings (2010)

The Leaders of 2010

Chile, Brazil, and Peru emerged as the regional frontrunners, showcasing strong legal frameworks, established PPP institutions, and consistent private-sector participation in infrastructure projects.

The Laggards of 2010

Countries with weaker institutional frameworks—such as Bolivia, Ecuador, and several Caribbean nations—struggled to create transparent, predictable environments for investors.
Frequent policy changes and limited contract enforcement were among the biggest deterrents to long-term investment.

Common Deficiencies

Across the region, the most cited challenges included:

• Absence of independent regulators
• Political interference in project selection and oversight
• Weak judicial systems for enforcing contracts
• Limited technical expertise within government PPP units

Sectoral Readiness

Infrastructure maturity varied widely by sector.
Transport and energy were seen as relatively advanced, while water and sanitation lagged due to complex tariff structures and limited private participation.

The Economic and Policy Context of 2010

The Commodity Boom

Rising commodity revenues gave many Latin American countries fiscal breathing room, yet debates persisted over whether to rely on public investment or PPP mechanisms to meet infrastructure needs.
Resource wealth often masked the need for sustainable, private-sector-led infrastructure solutions.

Early PPP Institutions

By 2010, only a handful of countries—such as Chile, Mexico, and Colombia—had established dedicated PPP agencies or finance ministry units.
In most cases, institutional capacity for PPP planning and oversight was still in its early stages.

Investor Appetite

Following the financial crisis, international investors exhibited cautious optimism toward Latin American infrastructure projects.
While interest remained strong, investors demanded greater regulatory stability and risk-mitigation mechanisms before committing capital.

Evolution and Comparison (2010 vs. 2025)

A 15-Year Retrospective

Fifteen years later, the Infrascope 2025 shows dramatic shifts in PPP readiness.
Countries like Colombia, Uruguay, and Paraguay have significantly improved their rankings, while others have plateaued due to political uncertainty or fiscal constraints.

Evolution of Priorities

Since 2010, priorities in Latin American infrastructure have evolved beyond traditional project finance.
The modern agenda emphasizes climate resilience, sustainability, and digital transformation, with growing recognition that infrastructure must support both economic growth and environmental adaptation.

Lessons Learned

The 2010–2025 period demonstrates that successful PPPs depend on more than financial engineering.
Sustained progress hinges on institutional maturity, transparent procurement, and long-term accountability mechanisms that survive political transitions.