CoST

What CoST does

CoST – Infrastructure Transparency Initiative is a UK-registered non-profit (Charity number 1152236, Company number 8159144) founded in 2012 and headquartered in London, operating as a global initiative to improve transparency and accountability in public infrastructure. It serves national and sub-national governments, civil society organizations, media, and procuring entities through a multi-stakeholder model, coordinating 19 members and affiliates across four continents (Africa, Asia, Europe, LATAM, North America, South Asia). CoST's core product suite comprises the CoST Infrastructure Data Standard (IDS), the jointly developed Open Contracting for Infrastructure Data Standard (OC4IDS), the Infrastructure Transparency Index (ITI), and an Independent Review (Assurance) process. Recent additions include Climate Finance Modules (OC4IDS, 2023) developed with GIZ and the Red Flags Algorithm (2026) implemented into Malawi's Infrastructure Platform for Public Infrastructure (IPPI).

The underlying technology is standards-based rather than AI-native: CoST publishes structured data schemas, disclosure manuals, and data-use guides, and operates national portals such as Malawi's IPPI and West Lombok's INTRAS, which implement OC4IDS and capture citizen feedback on infrastructure projects. The business model is grant-funded: CoST receives donations and grants from UK FCDO, US Department of State, World Bank, and GIZ, and provides its tools, standards, and membership support free of charge to qualifying governments and organizations. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with new members announced at high-profile venues (e.g., International Anti-Corruption Day) and supported through national secretariats and multi-stakeholder groups. Since 2020, the initiative has recorded 53,585 projects published under its standards, 10,827 representatives trained, and 81 government actions taken in response to its work, with documented cost savings of US$360 million from the CoST Thailand approach. Petter Matthews serves as Executive Director.

Name

CoST

Legal name

CoST – Infrastructure Transparency Initiative

Website

https://infrastructuretransparency.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CoST – Infrastructure Transparency Initiative is a UK-registered non-profit that helps national and sub-national governments, civil society, and media disclose and validate public infrastructure project data through the CoST IDS and OC4IDS data standards, assurance processes, and multi-stakeholder governance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Infrastructure Transparency and Governance Services

NAICS

Public Finance Activities (921130)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Communications, Transparency & Open Government (BPAIAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

E-Procurement & Spend Analytics (BPAIAEAI), Project Preparation Facilities & Technical Assistance Windows (BPADAOAI)

Keywords

• Infrastructure transparency
• Open data standards
• Public procurement disclosure
• Infrastructure accountability
• Multi-stakeholder governance

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant funding and donations: CoST is a charitable organization (Charity number 1152236, Company number 8159144) funded by grants and donations from government development agencies and international organizations. Supporters include UK FCDO, US Department of State, World Bank, GIZ, and others.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CoST – the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative is a non-profit initiative that promotes transparency and accountability in public infrastructure through a four-feature approach: disclosure of project data, independent assurance reviews, multi-stakeholder working groups, and social accountability. It develops internationally recognized data standards (CoST IDS and OC4IDS), publishes the Infrastructure Transparency Index, and supports member governments in disclosing and validating infrastructure project data.

Product overview

CoST – Infrastructure Transparency Initiative operates as a multi-product organization offering a comprehensive suite of infrastructure transparency tools and standards. The core offering consists of the CoST IDS and OC4IDS data standards, the Infrastructure Transparency Index (ITI) for measuring transparency levels, and the Independent Review (Assurance) process for validating project data. These are supported by guidance resources including the Data Publication Manual and Data Use Manual. CoST also provides regional and national platforms including the Infrastructure Platform for Public Infrastructure (IPPI) in Malawi and INTRAS in West Lombok, both implementing OC4IDS standards. Recent additions include climate finance modules for OC4IDS and the Red Flags Algorithm for citizen engagement. The approach is coordinated through Multi-Stakeholder Groups bringing together government, civil society, and private sector stakeholders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CoST IDS: Infrastructure Data Standard developed by CoST for disclosing infrastructure project data
• OC4IDS
• Infrastructure Transparency Index

Products and services

• CoST IDS (Infrastructure Data Standard) A data standard defining what infrastructure project information (project details, procurement, implementation, outcomes) should be disclosed by public procuring entities for transparency, monitoring, and accountability purposes. Used by CoST member countries to publish infrastructure project data in a standardized format.
• OC4IDS (Open Contracting for Infrastructure Data Standard) A data standard jointly developed with Open Contracting Partnership for disclosing public infrastructure procurement and project information, building on open contracting best practices and extending disclosure principles specifically to infrastructure projects.
• Infrastructure Transparency Index (ITI) A flagship assessment tool measuring levels of transparency and quality of processes related to public infrastructure at national and sub-national levels, providing actionable insight to government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders.
• Independent Review (Assurance) Process An independent assurance process where review teams examine published infrastructure project data for accuracy and completeness, producing assurance reports that highlight issues of concern and translate raw data into compelling information for public accountability.
• Data Publication Manual A comprehensive guide providing instructions for designing and strengthening data publication processes that ensure timely and reliable disclosure of infrastructure data by public procuring entities.
• Data Use Manual A guide for translating published infrastructure data into improved monitoring, reporting, and decision-making processes, including practical examples of indicators classified by project phase, areas of interest, and risk areas.
• Infrastructure Platform for Public Infrastructure (IPPI) Malawi's online platform that publishes infrastructure project data using OC4IDS standards and integrates the Red Flags Algorithm to enable citizens to raise concerns directly on individual project records, creating a two-way accountability channel.
• INTRAS (Infrastructure Data Portal) West Lombok's infrastructure data portal built on the SISOCS database, disclosing provincial road and other infrastructure project data according to OC4IDS standards to enable public engagement in infrastructure monitoring.
• Climate Finance Modules for OC4IDS A module added to OC4IDS developed in partnership with GIZ that enables tracking and monitoring of climate-related infrastructure investments and financing, including accountability and transparency features for climate finance projects.
• Red Flags Algorithm An algorithmic citizen engagement tool pioneered by CoST Malawi that identifies risks and concerns in infrastructure projects. Integrated into the IPPI platform to enable citizens to report issues such as stalled construction, missing materials, or cost irregularities directly on project records.
• Multi-Stakeholder Groups (MSG) Programme A governance structure implemented in each CoST member program that brings together government, private sector, and civil society representatives to guide programme delivery, oversee assurance, and ensure balanced decision-making on infrastructure transparency reforms.

Quantifiable outcome

• Between 10% and 30% of infrastructure investment is lost to corruption, mismanagement, and inefficiency; CoST approach helps recover these losses
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped the climate finance modules of OC4IDS in partnership with CoST. Supports implementation of climate-related infrastructure transparency standards in member countries.
• Open Contracting PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed the Open Contracting for Infrastructure Data Standard (OC4IDS) to extend open contracting principles specifically to infrastructure projects. Ongoing partnership on standard development and promotion.
• Transparency InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndorsed the CoST Infrastructure Disclosure Standard. Major anti-corruption organization providing legitimacy and support for infrastructure transparency work.
• Open Government Partnership (OGP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoST works as actor of change and partner in OGP. Members like Jalisco State cite OGP involvement as driver for joining CoST. Synergy between CoST and OGP principles for open government.
• Water Integrity NetworksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization working on integrity in water and sanitation. CoST partnered on shared goals of transparency and accountability in infrastructure sectors.
• UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoST West Lombok work supported through UNDP project 'Promoting a fair business environment in ASEAN'. Broader partnership on development and governance issues.
• Indonesia-Australia Infrastructure PartnershipsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported CoST West Lombok's Provincial Road Improvement and Maintenance pilot program, building on existing data-disclosure practices in the regency.
• Engineers Against PovertysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-based organization working on responsible business and anti-corruption in engineering and construction. Partner supporting ethical infrastructure development.
• G20majorOthersCoST tools and standards recognized as among the most advanced in the field and received endorsement from the G20.
• European Investment BankmajorOthersCoST standards endorsed by European Investment Bank as part of quality infrastructure investment approaches.
• Global Infrastructure BaselsupportingOthersCoST recognized by Global Infrastructure Basel as advanced standard in infrastructure transparency.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Transparency International: Transparency International is the largest global anti-corruption organization and has formally endorsed CoST's Infrastructure Disclosure Standard. Broad incumbent because its mission (anti-corruption) overlaps CoST's but spans all sectors rather than specializing in infrastructure.
• Basel Institute on Governance: Basel Institute on Governance is an established anti-corruption and governance research organization that awarded CoST Malawi's Red Flags Algorithm. Broad incumbent because it operates more broadly across governance and corruption research, while CoST specializes in infrastructure.

Direct peers

• Open Contracting Partnership: Open Contracting Partnership co-developed the OC4IDS data standard with CoST and works on open contracting transparency globally. Direct peer because of closely aligned mission (procurement transparency), shared product (OC4IDS), and similar multi-stakeholder governance model.
• Publish What You Pay: Publish What You Pay is a global civil society coalition promoting transparency in extractive industry revenues. Direct peer because it operates the same initiative-architecture model (standards + multi-stakeholder working + advocacy) for resource revenue disclosure that CoST applies to infrastructure.
• Global Integrity: Global Integrity is an independent organization producing research and programs on government accountability and anti-corruption in developing countries. Direct peer because of closely aligned mission (government accountability and transparency reform) and similar country-level engagement model.
• Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI): EITI operates a sector-specific multi-stakeholder transparency standard (for extractive industries) with the same disclosure-and-assurance structure CoST uses for infrastructure. Direct peer because of virtually identical initiative architecture applied to a different sector.
• Open Government Partnership: OGP is a multi-stakeholder initiative promoting government transparency, accountability, and citizen participation across member countries. Direct peer because CoST members cite OGP involvement as a driver for joining CoST and the two initiatives share the same member governments and reform pathways.
• International Budget Partnership: International Budget Partnership works on public budget transparency and accountability through citizen engagement and government partnerships. Direct peer because of overlapping mission (public finance transparency), similar multi-stakeholder approach, and shared donor ecosystem.

Others

• Engineers Against Poverty: Engineers Against Poverty is a UK-based organization working on responsible business and anti-corruption in engineering and construction, listed as a CoST partner and supporter. Other/adjacent peer because it focuses on industry ethics rather than operating the transparency standard CoST does.
• Water Integrity Network: Water Integrity Network is a partner organization working on integrity and anti-corruption in the water and sanitation sector. Other/adjacent peer because it operates in a thematic sub-sector of infrastructure that CoST also touches but with sector-specific focus rather than direct competition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CoSTransparency
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCc3QqezEXsJJSBZZAU8c6Lw
• Facebookfacebook.com/CoSTransparency
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/8505009
• Instagraminstagram.com/costransparency

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about CoST