After two decades of privatization, has government ownership and control of enterprises declined substantially? Ongoing research suggests that while privatization has helped reduce the state’s role in some developing countries and regions, in most others the stock of state enterprises remains relatively large… Despite the privatization push of the past 20 years, government’s role remains prevalent in almost all regions and sectors, with adverse implications for growth and productivity.
So say Sunita Kikeri and Aishetu Kolo in their latest journal note. Also see their summary note on privatization trends and what's been done.
Update: Another new paper by John Nellis, Back to the Future for African Infrastructure? Why State-Ownership Is No More Promising the Second Time Around.
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