Consultancy Services for Development of EAC Intermediary Liability Policy and Guidelines for Regional Harmonization — East African Regional Digital…

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES - FIRMS SELECTION)

REF NO: TZ-EAC- 497142-CS-QCBS

East African Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP)

Project ID No/Loan No./Credit No./ Grant No.: (P176181)

Date of Issue: 24th September 2025

CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF EAC INTERMEDIARY LIABILITY POLICY AND GUIDELINES FOR REGIONAL HARMONIZATION

The East African Community has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (the Services’) include the Development of EAC Intermediary Liability Policy and Guidelines for Regional Harmonization. The assignment is expected to last ten (10) months. The scope includes developing a comprehensive intermediary liability policy, guidelines, and implementation strategy to promote a harmonized legal framework across EAC Partner States. The consultant will review existing national laws and policies, identify gaps and inconsistencies, and consult key stakeholders. The assignment also involves assessing current and emerging issues related to intermediary liability, aligning the framework with international best practices, and proposing amendments to national laws. The final output will include practical recommendations with clear guidelines and a regional implementation strategy that supports EAC’s digital trade and integration objectives.

The objective of the assignment is to develop an intermediary liability policy framework and guidelines as well as an implementation strategy to enhance e-commerce and digital trade within the EAC. The initiative aims to facilitate a harmonized approach to interpreting and applying common standards for intermediary liability across the EAC Partner States. In particular, the project seeks to promote cross-border trade by addressing challenges that may be faced by intermediaries providing platforms and infrastructure to support e-commerce as well as the users. It will support the development of harmonized and enforceable intermediary liability framework that can promote innovation and enhance intra EAC trade. The guidelines will outline the legal responsibilities of intermediaries, offer best practices for compliance, facilitate resolution of disputes as well as enhance consumer protection.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: https://www.eac.int/opportunities/consultancies

The EAC Secretariat 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 described.

The shortlisting criterion is as follows:

• Firm’s Existence: The firm must be legally registered and have been operational for at least five (5) years prior to the tender closing date, with verifiable documentation.

• Expert Team: The staff should include a team leader and legal expert with at least one of them having demonstrated experience in the EAC and or Partner States legal frameworks and legislative processes.

• Technical Expertise: Proven experience in developing digital policy, legal frameworks, or regulatory guidelines related to intermediary liability, data governance, content moderation, or internet governance, preferably in Africa or emerging markets.

• Approach and methodology: The Consultancy firm is required to elaborate in their proposal the envisaged logistical set-up and deployment of appropriate skills for the execution of the assignment, understanding of the scope of work and proposed approach and methodology to execute the assignment

Interested Consultants’ attention is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (November 2020, revised September 2023), which outline the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but must clearly indicate whether the association is in the form of a joint venture (JV) or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture (JV), all partners shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract if selected. Therefore, each JV member must independently meet the evaluation criteria requirements. The experience, technical capability, and managerial capability of a sub-consultant shall not be considered to enhance the qualifications of the lead firm or JV.

A Consultant will be selected using the Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) method as outlined in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information may be obtained at the address below during office hours (9:00AM to 5:00 PM EAT). The consultants would be responsible for ensuring that any addendum available on the website is also downloaded and incorporated.

Expressions of Interest must be submitted in English (one original and two copies, where applicable) in written form, either in person or via email, to the address below. The submission deadline is Thursday, 9th October 2025, at 11:00 AM (EAT). The subject line should be: " EAC Intermediary Liability Policy & Guidelines."

The Secretary General

Attn: EARDIP

East African Community (EAC) Headquarters

P.O. Box 1096

Arusha, Tanzania

Tel: +255-27-2162100

Fax: +255-27-2162199

Email: [email protected], Cc: [email protected]