In 2017, Verbatim Virtual Solutions partnered with Weircapacity to deliver a transformative capacity-building initiative for teams from Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Finance overseeing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects. As the training implementation partner, Verbatim led the design, development, and facilitation of strategic workshops focused on enhancing technical capabilities critical for PPP governance, including Knowledge Management (KM), Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation, Project Documentation, and Digital Productivity Skills.

Verbatim’s approach was anchored in the recognition that Knowledge Management is not optional for government institutions stewarding complex, long-term infrastructure projects. Instead, it is foundational—directly strengthening a ministry’s ability to manage complexity, reduce risk, ensure continuity, and deliver sustainable value across public-private initiatives.

Delivering Strategic, Knowledge-Driven Capacity Building

Working alongside Weircapacity—an accredited CP3P certification provider—Verbatim played a central role in delivering training modules that aligned with the Certified Public-Private Partnership Professional (CP3P) framework, the global standard jointly developed by the World Bank, EBRD, ADB, and IDB.

Specifically, Verbatim:

• Designed and structured knowledge-sharing sessions grounded in international best practices and adapted to the Ministry’s operational realities.
• Developed tailored training modules on Knowledge Management, Results-Based M&E, Digital Productivity, and Project Documentation for PPPs.
• Facilitated participatory, scenario-based workshops that blended technical instruction with real-world application.
• Supported professional development by empowering public sector staff with actionable tools and frameworks for immediate institutional use.

Through this work, Verbatim reinforced the importance of systematic knowledge capture—across PPP project identification, structuring, procurement, contract management, and performance monitoring—in line with global standards such as the World Bank’s PPP Reference Guide and the UNCITRAL Model Law on PPPs.

Methodologies and Tools Deployed

Verbatim applied a blended methodology combining:

• Knowledge Management Systems Thinking: Emphasizing the accumulation of productive knowledge over project cycles to institutionalize lessons learned, reduce knowledge loss, and strengthen decision-making.
• Creating Public Value (CPV) Approaches: Co-creating training content with stakeholders to align technical learning with tangible improvements in project governance and service delivery.
• Scenario-Based Learning: Using simulated PPP project cases to help participants build practical, adaptive skills for documentation, evaluation, and knowledge retention.

This structure ensured that training was not only instructional but also strategically embedded into the Ministry’s institutional development agenda.

Why Knowledge Management Matters for PPP Governance

As Verbatim emphasized during the workshops, for government ministries overseeing PPPs:

• Institutional memory is essential to maintain continuity across election cycles and leadership transitions.
• Structured knowledge enables faster, evidence-based decisions and stronger risk management across long-term contracts.
• Lessons learned improve future PPP project structuring, stakeholder negotiations, and dispute management.
• Performance data collected during project implementation demonstrates value-for-money and strengthens accountability to citizens and investors.
• Compliance with global PPP standards is enhanced, building investor confidence and improving access to development financing.

Knowledge Management transforms a government agency from being a passive project administrator into a dynamic learning institution capable of leading successful, sustainable PPPs—protecting public interest while unlocking private capital for infrastructure development.

Deliverables and Impact

The training program delivered by Verbatim resulted in:

• Ministry teams gaining technical competencies in project documentation, results measurement, and knowledge systematization.
• Strengthened institutional readiness for PPP oversight and CP3P-aligned practices.
• A shift towards structured knowledge retention and performance-based evaluation within the Ministry’s project delivery functions.

Participants left with standardized templates, checklists, and documentation models tailored to PPP lifecycle management, setting a new benchmark for operational excellence in the Ministry’s infrastructure units.

By embedding these skills, the Ministry positioned itself to reduce operational risks, improve project outcomes, and enhance its attractiveness to private investors and international development partners.

Partners and Beneficiaries

This initiative was delivered through a partnership between:

• Verbatim Virtual Solutions (Training Development and Delivery Lead)
• Weircapacity (CP3P Certified Training Partner)
• Federal Ministry of Finance (Primary Beneficiary)

The primary beneficiaries were the public sector professionals responsible for structuring, managing, and evaluating Nigeria’s pipeline of PPP projects—ultimately, the citizens of Nigeria stand to gain as public-private projects are better governed, more transparent, and more results-driven.

Alignment with International Development Goals

Verbatim’s work aligns with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (by strengthening PPP project governance)
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (through transparency, accountability, and knowledge-driven decision-making)
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals (enhancing the effectiveness of public-private cooperation)

Through strategic training and institutional support, Verbatim continues to contribute to building resilient, knowledge-driven institutions capable of delivering sustainable development outcomes.

Building Legacy, Not Just Capacity

This partnership exemplifies Verbatim Virtual Solutions’ broader mission: empowering public and private institutions through knowledge-driven transformation. By embedding knowledge management practices into public sector operations, Verbatim is not simply enhancing individual skills—it is helping institutions build legacy, ensuring that the impact of today’s investments extends into the successes of tomorrow’s infrastructure landscape.