The use of the private sector in furthering public health goals is increasingly common. By working with the private sector through public–private engagement (PPE), states can harness private sector resources to further public health goals. The review reveals that the full range of PPE models, eight distinct models, are utilized in the Southern African context. This information is key to strengthening these partnerships, improving partnership outcomes and capacitating recipient countries. The need for research that disaggregates PPE models and investigates PPE functioning in context is demonstrated.