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The private provision trend in technical and vocational education (TVE) in sub-Saharan Africa occurred as the deterioration of state-run TVE systems in the region created a market niche for private providers. While advocates of deregulation believe the adoption of market principles in TVE will lead to greater efficiency and effectiveness, private providers have emerged in an uncoordinated and unmonitored fashion. A literature review and case studies of two countries Senegal and Mali led to some of the following key findings: (1) in some countries the majority of TVE students are enrolled in private institutions; (2) a large number of private TVE institutions operate illegally; (3) private provision concentrates on the service and commercial trades; and (4) the private sector may operate with lower costs and be more responsive to the labor market, but they do not provide much job-related training or include work-experience programs. Some of the policy issues are as follows: (1) simplifying procedures for establishing private TVE institutions facilitates their growth but is not sufficient to prevent the growth of an illegal sector; (2) the lack of regulation for private TVE institutions raises complex issues regarding the mechanisms required to ensure quality and protect consumers against abuses; and (3) for private TVE to succeed, students and the programs themselves must receive some public funding and develop relationships with industry. (Includes 84 references.) (MO)