Consulting Services for a Demand Survey on National Financial Inclusion

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

DATE OF ISSUE: 25th April,2025

COUNTRY: Republic of Sierra Leone

NAME OF PROJECT: Sierra Leone Second Financial Inclusion Project-SLSFIP

Assignment Title: CONSULTING SERVICE FOR DEMAND SURVEY ON NATIONAL FINANCIAL INCLUSION.

Reference No. SL-BSL-487453-CS-QCBS

The Bank of Sierra Leone-BSL through the Sierra Leone Second Financial Inclusion Project-SLSFIP has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of Demand Survey on National Financial Inclusion and intends to apply part of the proceeds for this consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) will ensure that demand survey assess the level of demand, barriers, and potential growth areas for financial services among individuals and businesses in Sierra Leone including Understanding Financial Service Needs, Assessing Barriers to Access, Mapping Financial Inclusion Gaps, Estimating Market Potential, Informing Policy and Product Development and Provide Insights on Affordability of Financial Services.

The Project Implementation Unit of the Sierra Leone Second Financial Inclusion Project now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to express 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, including availability of appropriate skilled experts, and experience in similar circumstances. The shortlisting criteria are: core business and years in business, relevant experience, technical and managerial capability of the firm. 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” July 2016 Revised November 2017, August 2018, November 2020, September 2023 and February 2025 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 Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information and detailed Terms of Reference can be obtained at the address below during office hours between 09:00 to 16:00 hours or via email at [email protected] and copy: [email protected]

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below by e-mail on or before Monday 12th May,2025 at 11:00 GMT.

Project Implementation Unit

Sierra Leone Second Financial Inclusion Project-SLSFIP

Bank of Sierra Leone

Attn: Head of PIU

5th Floor Sam Bangura Building

Gloucester Street

Freetown

Sierra Leone

E-mail:[email protected]