Consultancy for the Development of a Payment Interoperability Regulatory Framework — IGAD Secretariat

Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Request for Expression of Interest (Consulting Services – Firms Selection) Country: IGAD Secretariat Name of project: Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project Project No.: P176181 Grant No.: IDA-E1670 Assignment Title: Development of a Payment Interoperability Regulatory Framework for IGAD Region Reference/Contract No.: DJ-IGAD-518886-CS-CQS The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) to develop a regional payment interoperability regulatory framework for IGAD and its Member States. The firm will review existing national digital payment ecosystems looking into existing payment infrastructure to identify the level of national interoperability and challenges hindering cross-border payment. It will review interoperability policies, regulations, and laws of Member States to identify gaps and develop a harmonized regional framework, in line with the G20/Financial Stability Board (FSB) building blocks for enhancing cross-border payments.

The firm will also assess fraud mitigation frameworks in Member States to ensure that the regional framework supports compliance with international standards and best practices to mitigate fraud and enhances the safety and integrity of cross-border payments. In addition, the firm will deliver training to stakeholders on the application of the developed regulatory framework. The assignment is expected to take for 32 weeks from the date of contract commencement.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) and Scope of Work for the assignment can be found at the following website: https://igad.int/consultancies or can be obtained at the address given below. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The shortlisting criteria. The firm selected will need to demonstrate: Minimum 10 years’ experience in payment interoperability policy and development of guidelines and regulatory frameworks. A demonstrated track record of successfully completing at least 3 similar assignments, with a focus on relevance and recent experience.

This includes legal reviews, the development of policies and strategies, and formulating actionable recommendations to enable payment interoperability based on recognized standards. Comprehensive knowledge of international and regional best practices on payment systems interoperability legal and technical aspects. Knowledge of and practical experience with local and regional payment system integration and fraud mitigation.

Prior experience of working closely with public sector especially in the digital development. Demonstrated familiarity with the Horn of Africa context. Availability of the required experts as indicated in the Terms of Reference (ToRs).

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” First Published July 2016 and revised Fifth Edition September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy.

In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected. A Consulting firm will be selected in accordance with the Consultant Qualification Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations. Further information can be obtained at the address below during the following office hours 0900 and 1600 hours from Monday to Friday excluding lunch hour (1300 to 1400hours East African Time (EAT) and public holidays.

Expression of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below by 25/02/2026 at 1100hours EAT using one of the following modalities: (i) deposit in the IGAD Office in the address below or (ii) send by e-mail to: procurement@igad.int with copy to hassan.salah@igad.int and quote the Assignment title and Contract No (Development of a Payment Interoperability Regulatory Framework for IGAD Region Reference/Contract No.: DJ-IGAD-518886-CS-CQS) in the subject row. For expressions of interest that will be deposited at IGAD Office in Djibouti the packages should be clearly marked with assignment title and reference/contract No. as mentioned above.

Address: IGAD Secretariat P.O Box 2653, Ave Georges Clemenceau Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti