Development of Guidelines on Consumer Price Index (CPI) — Eastern Africa Regional Statistics Program-for-Results

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)

Name of Project: Eastern Africa Regional Statistics Program-for-Results (EARSPforR)

Grant No: P176371

Assignment Title: Individual Consultant (IC) to perform the Consultancy services to develop Guidelines on Harmonization of Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Reference No. TN-STATAFRIC - AUC-481157-CS-INDV.

• Background

The African Union Commission (AUC) has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of Eastern Africa Regional Statistics Program for Results Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include Selection of an Individual Consultant (IC) to perform the Consultancy services to develop Guidelines on Harmonization of Consumer Price Index (CPI).

In response to persistent challenges in production, coordination, and use of statistics across Africa, the second Strategy for the Harmonization of Statistics in Africa (SHaSA 2) was launched as a continental framework. SHaSA 2 seeks to strengthen the capacity of the African Statistical System (ASS) to produce reliable, harmonized, and policy-relevant data for tracking development agendas such as Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and key integration initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is an important macroeconomic indicator that measures the average change in price of goods and services purchased by consumers. It is an important indicator as it facilitates economic convergence, integration and supports monetary and fiscal policy coordination. Accurate CPI data supports formulation of reliable fiscal policies by Member States through adjustment of interest rates in line with national and regional objectives. In addition, having a standardized way of measuring inflation trends across member states enhances comparability across countries and enables fair monitoring of progress towards convergence.

Despite its importance, the methodology for compilation of CPI differs across Member States in Africa, affecting comparability across countries and regional economic analysis. The diversity of methodological approaches; limited geographic and sectoral coverage; and capacity constraints undermine CPI representativeness and comparability. In line with SHaSA 2, STATAFRIC is developing a continental guideline to harmonize the methodology for compilation of CPI to improve its quality and reliability, support economic planning, enhance comparability and support regional integration efforts.

• Objectives of the assignment

The specific objective is to develop a guideline on harmonization of the methodology for compilation of Consumer Price Index (CPI), structured around several key dimensions, outlined as follows:

• Methodological Harmonization:

• Review, define and adapt a common framework for product selection, weighting, data sources, and periodicity to ensure comparability of CPI methodologies across Member States.

• Develop standardized metadata templates and tools for use by NSOs in CPI reporting and dissemination.

• Statistical Quality:

• Promote the application of rigorous standards to strengthen the transparency, consistency, and reliability of inflation indicators.

• Continental Comparability:

• Develop or adopt standardized classification to Facilitate the production of CPIs aligned with regional and international standards, enabling cross-country comparisons that support economic policy and regional integration.

• Support for Public Policy:

• Enhance the use of the CPI as a tool for monitoring purchasing power and guiding adjustments in wages, pensions, and social policies.

• Integration into National Statistical Systems:

• Structure the linkage between the CPI and economic accounts and improve the consistency of official statistical publications.

• Assess the feasibility of a continental CPI dashboard or platform for periodic CPI sharing and monitoring.

• Duration and Timeline

The Individual Consultant (IC) is expected to produce a strategic reference document for the harmonization of CPI statistical guidelines within 90 days from the date of signing the consultancy contract. The first revised version will be submitted to the AU Member States and the relevant stakeholders from RECs and international organizations for comments and validation.

• Reporting and supervision

The Individual Consultant (IC) will work remotely with STATAFRIC staff and will provide regular updates according to the agreed timeline. The contract is proposed under the following terms and conditions:

• The duration of this contract is three months.

• The consultant is expected to send an updated C.V and a methodological note about the understanding of the entire assignment.

• Timeframe

Activity

Deliverables/ Outputs

Anticipated Duration (Days)

|

• Define the consultant’s approach to delivering the harmonization document.

Methodological report outlines the consultant’s approach to undertaking this consultancy. This should be after the submission of an inception report.

10 days

|

• Development of the harmonized guidelines on Consumer Price Index (CPI).

• General experience: 10%

Use the general experience indicated in the ToR

|

• Specific experience: 40%

Use the Specific experience indicated in the ToR

|

• Qualifications: 25 %

Use the qualification indicated in the ToR

|

• Methodological note: 15 %

Understanding the stipulated tasks in the ToR and the entire assignment.

|

• Language: 10 %

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest.

The African Union Commission now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Individual Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

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 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours i.e. 0900 to 1700 hours.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form following the above shortlisting criteria to the address below (in person, or by mail) before 20th February 2026 at 15:00 Hours Local Time, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Only submitted Expression of Interests (EoIs) mentioning the reference number “TN-STATAFRIC - AUC-481157-CS-INDV“ in the subject field of the e-mail, will be considered.

African Union Commission,

Attn: Head, Supply Chain Management Division - Operations Support Services Directorate

Building C, 3rd Floor,

P.O Box 3243, Roosevelt Street

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tel: +251 (0) 11 551 7700 – Ext 4305

Fax: +251 (0) 11 551 0442; +251 11-551-0430

E-mails: [email protected]

Terms of Reference

Individual Consultant (IC) to perform the Consultancy Services to develop Guidelines on Harmonization of Consumer Price Index (CPI)

• Background

In response to persistent challenges in production, coordination, and use of statistics across Africa, the second Strategy for the Harmonization of Statistics in Africa (SHaSA 2) was launched as a continental framework. SHaSA 2 seeks to strengthen the capacity of the African Statistical System (ASS) to produce reliable, harmonized, and policy-relevant data for tracking development agendas such as Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and key integration initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is an important macroeconomic indicator that measures the average change in price of goods and services purchased by consumers. It is an important indicator as it facilitates economic convergence, integration and supports monetary and fiscal policy coordination. Accurate CPI data supports formulation of reliable fiscal policies by Member States th