In 2004, Sergio Fajardo became mayor of Medellín, a city plagued by violence and corruption. During his four-year term, he reformed the city by dismantling corrupt networks, increasing tax revenue, improving public services, and promoting transparency.

Fajardo’s leadership restored hope among citizens and earned him nearly 90% approval. Medellín became a model of good governance in Latin America, and by 2010, Fajardo was the vice-presidential candidate alongside former Bogotá mayor Antanas Mockus.

By the early 2000s, Dakar, Senegal was facing severe traffic congestion that hindered both daily life and the region’s economic growth. Although a new highway had long been proposed to address the issue, high costs and complex financing had delayed its construction. When Abdoulaye Wade became president in 2000, he turned to a public–private partnership (PPP) model to finally bring the project to life. Under this plan, a private company would help fund and maintain the highway in exchange for toll revenues, while the government would cover the rest of the initial costs.

Implementing the project was challenging. It required navigating technical and financial complexities and addressing significant social and environmental concerns, including the displacement of around 30,000 people. The newly formed Agency for Investment Promotion and Major Works managed partner selection and oversaw construction, working with national ministries, development banks, and local communities. The Dakar–Diamniadio toll highway opened in 2013, successfully reducing congestion. However, delays in resettling displaced communities meant some issues lingered for years after its launch.

By 2004, Morocco was struggling to expand access to clean water in rural areas due to high costs, drought, and failing infrastructure. Millions of people faced health risks, and women and girls spent hours fetching water instead of going to school or working.

To address the crisis, the national water utility, ONEP, with support from international donors, built new infrastructure linked to reservoirs and began partnering with private companies to manage, maintain, and expand the system. By 2014, access to potable water in rural Morocco had risen from 61% to 94%, improving health and freeing up time for women and girls. Despite lingering concerns about sustainability, the program had delivered clean water to over 12 million people by 2016.

A study in rural Bangladesh investigated unexpectedly high lead levels in pregnant women, ruling out conventional sources like factories or gasoline. Advanced chemical analysis revealed that turmeric—adulterated with toxic lead chromate for enhanced color—was the primary contaminant. Collaborating with local authorities, researchers launched an awareness campaign and enforcement measures, leading to a dramatic decline in lead-tainted turmeric. The findings underscore a significant public health risk, as lead exposure causes irreversible cognitive harm, particularly in children. The successful intervention offers a potential model for tackling lead contamination globally. Further research is exploring additional sources, such as battery recycling and cookware, emphasizing the pervasive nature of lead pollution

In 2002, Indonesia created the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to tackle widespread high-level corruption following the fall of Suharto’s regime. Despite public skepticism, the KPK built a strong, ethical, and effective structure with advanced technology and skilled investigators.

The commission launched investigations that led to the conviction of many high-level officials, achieving a 100% conviction rate. By 2007, the KPK had gained solid public support and established itself as a powerful force against corruption.

In 1995, Mexico launched a skills-based vocational training system to boost its global competitiveness, but early implementation failed due to lack of support from key stakeholders.

In 2007, new leadership reformed the system to better align with the needs of workers and employers, creating a model that differed from international norms but gained wide adoption across over 100 industries. By 2013, the revamped system was showing positive results and drawing interest from other emerging economies.

From bold reforms to cautionary tales, The Public Policy Podcast dives deep into the decisions that shape our world. Each episode unpacks a real policy case, whether it’s a breakthrough success or a spectacular failure, revealing the context, the stakes, and the lessons for the future.