Consultancy Services to Develop Fintech Strategy and Regulatory Policy Framew…

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

DATE OF ISSUE: 17th September,2025

CONSULTING SERVICES TO DEVELOP A FINTECH STRATEGY AND FINTECH REGULATORY POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR THE BANK OF SIERRA LEONE

RFP No.: SL-BSL-494127-CS-INDV

The Government of Sierra Leone has received a grant under the Sierra Leone Second Financial Inclusion Project (SLSFIP) to support the development of an inclusive financial system in line with the strategic objectives of Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024 - 2030 and the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion 2022–2026. The objective of the SLSFIP is to promote a more inclusive and resilient financial sector for individuals and micro, small, and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs). The scope of the project is specifically geared towards contributing to building resilience to economic, financial, and climate-related shocks with digital financial services (DFS) and access to finance interventions and strengthening institutional capacity and systems of the Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL). The project will provide support (a) for the adoption and usage of transaction accounts, expansion of digital financial access points, and further development of the National Payment System infrastructure, and (b) increasing access to credit for MSMEs through provision of liquidity to financial institutions to on-lend to MSMEs and improving the financial credit infrastructure.

Objectives of the Consultancy

The objective of the consultancy is to develop a comprehensive policy framework to guide the creation and implementation of a FinTech strategy for Sierra Leone. This framework will provide context into the digital financial service (DFS) ecosystem and gaps in Sierra Leone, as well as define the policies, regulations, operational standards, and other required steps to promote financial inclusion through FinTech innovation. The FinTech strategy will support the transition to a digitally inclusive economy under the oversight of the Bank of Sierra Leone(BSL).

Specific objectives of the Assignment

The Specific duties of the Consultant

The consultant will perform the following tasks while leveraging existing research, reviews, and analysis:

• Develop a Work Plan and Methodology: Outline a comprehensive work plan and methodology for developing the FinTech strategy. This will be reviewed and finalized during the kick-off meeting with the BSL.

• Engage with Stakeholders: Collaborate with key stakeholders, including regulators, government agencies, financial institutions, and FinTech service providers, to align the strategy with project goals, national objectives, and regulatory requirements.

• Analyze Regulatory and Operational Environment: Conduct a detailed analysis of the regulatory and operational framework for FinTech in Sierra Leone. Identify gaps, constraints, and opportunities to ensure the framework aligns with national priorities and international standards and best practices.

• Evaluate Existing Ecosystem: Assess the current FinTech ecosystem, including its ICT/ data/ payments infrastructure, policies, and institutional structure, to determine strengths, weaknesses, and areas requiring intervention or improvement.

• Draft an Outline for the Policy Framework: Prepare a draft outline for the policy framework, which will need to be approved by the BSL.

• Draft the Policy Framework: Prepare a draft policy framework that incorporates the FinTech ecosystem overview (including opportunities for FinTech development), strategic pillars, key principles, existing regulatory framework, required regulatory reforms/ changes, policy recommendations, and operational steps to promote FinTech innovation and specifically financial inclusion through FinTech. Share the draft with BSL for initial feedback.

• Address Feedback: Incorporate the initial feedback provided by the BSL and conduct follow up research and discussions, if required, to address this feedback.

• Conduct a Validation Workshop: Facilitate a workshop with BSL and other stakeholders to review the draft policy framework. Gather inputs to ensure clarity, feasibility, and alignment with national priorities and stakeholder expectations.

• Finalize the Policy Framework: Incorporate feedback from the validation workshop and finalize the policy framework. Ensure it includes actionable recommendations, clear guidelines, and alignment with global best practices and national priorities.

• Prepare a Presentation: Develop a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the finalized FinTech strategy. Present this to the BSL for dissemination among stakeholders and use in broader advocacy efforts.

Deliverables for the Consultancy

The deliverables for the consultancy are:

• Policy Framework Outline: A detailed outline of the FinTech strategy, highlighting the key components, principles, and focus areas. The outline will reflect the FinTech ecosystem of Sierra Leone, global best practices, stakeholder priorities, and the unique regulatory environment of Sierra Leone.

• Draft Policy Framework: A comprehensive draft document detailing the proposed FinTech strategy. This will include an ecosystem overview (including opportunities for FinTech development), strategic pillars, key principles existing regulatory framework, required regulatory reforms/ changes, key policy recommendations, and operational steps to foster innovation, strengthen the FinTech ecosystem, and promote financial inclusion.

• Stakeholder Engagement and Validation Report: A summary report documenting the stakeholder engagement process, including consultations, interviews, and workshop outcomes. The report will detail how feedback was incorporated into the framework.

• Final Policy Framework: The finalized FinTech strategy document, incorporating stakeholder feedback and validation workshop inputs. The framework will provide actionable recommendations, align with international best practices, and address Sierra Leone’s specific needs for advancing FinTech.

• Presentation on the Policy Framework: A PowerPoint presentation summarizing the key elements of the FinTech strategy. This will be designed for use in stakeholder discussions, advocacy efforts, and dissemination by the BSL.

Mode of Application

Note: The Consultant will be selected in accordance with Individual Consultant (IC) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants, World Bank Borrowers, Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” September 2023, sixth edition Procurement Regulations.

All expressions of interest should be sent to the email below:

[email protected] copy: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Closing Date: 1st October, 2025

The Closing Date and time for receipt of applications is 1st October, 2025 at 5:00pm/ 17:00GMT

You can send a mail to the email address above for the full Terms of Reference(TOR) if required.

Only short-listed consultant will be contacted