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Cost Benefit Analysis for Public Investment Decisions

Governments and public entities across Africa must justify roads, clinics, water schemes and other investments that consume scarce public money. This course teaches cost benefit analysis as a disciplined way to weigh the full costs and benefits of public projects, including social and environmental effects. Participants learn to build defensible business cases and advise decision makers on where public funds create the most value.

What you will be able to do

  • Explain the purpose and stages of cost benefit analysis.
  • Identify and quantify the costs and benefits of a public project.
  • Value non market impacts such as social and environmental effects.
  • Apply discounting to compare costs and benefits over time.
  • Test conclusions with sensitivity and scenario analysis.
  • Present a clear recommendation to decision makers.

Course outline

  1. 01Why Cost Benefit Analysis Matters
  2. 02Defining the Project and Its Alternatives
  3. 03Identifying and Quantifying Costs and Benefits
  4. 04Valuing Social and Environmental Impacts
  5. 05Discounting and Net Present Value
  6. 06Sensitivity and Scenario Testing
  7. 07Presenting the Recommendation

Who should attend

Public sector planners, project officers, economists, budget analysts and development finance staff appraising public investments.

Dates, venues and fees

DatesVenueDaysFeeCalendar
17 to 19 Aug 2026Cape Town3R13,000
31 Aug to 2 Sep 2026Online3US$900
7 to 9 Sep 2026Mozambique3US$1,500
14 to 16 Sep 2026Cairo3US$1,500
21 to 23 Sep 2026Accra3US$1,500
28 to 30 Sep 2026Lusaka3US$1,500
5 to 7 Oct 2026Kigali3US$1,500
12 to 14 Oct 2026Nairobi3US$1,500
19 to 21 Oct 2026Durban3R13,000
26 to 28 Oct 2026Johannesburg3R13,000
9 to 11 Nov 2026Mauritius3US$1,500
16 to 18 Nov 2026Dubai3US$1,500
23 to 25 Nov 2026Lagos3US$1,500
30 Nov to 2 Dec 2026Harare3US$1,500
7 to 9 Dec 2026Kampala3US$1,500
14 to 16 Dec 2026Dar es Salaam3US$1,500
21 to 23 Dec 2026Pretoria3R13,000

Fees are per delegate. South African venues are priced in rand; other locations and online in US dollars. Fees exclude 15% VAT where applicable. Group bookings of three or more delegates from the same organisation qualify for a reduced rate; contact us for a quotation.

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