External Audit of the West African Power Pool — Solar Development Project in Sub-Saharan Africa

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI) (CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION) WEST AFRICAN POWER POOL Project: SOLAR DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA (PHASE 1) Grant Nº: D3320 Project Identification No: P162580 Reference No: BJ-WAPP-404748-CS-LCS Country: Multinational-West African Power Pool (The Gambia) Assignment Title: External audit of the West African Power Pool Solar Development in Sub-Saharan Africa project for fiscal years 2023 & closing 2024 The WEST AFRICAN POWER POOL (WAPP), a specialized institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), headquartered in Abomey- Calavi, Republic of Benin, has received financing from International Association of Development(IDA) toward the cost of the Solar development in Sub-Saharan Africa project (Phase I) project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services: Financial and accounting audit of the project accounts (financial years 2023 and 2024).

The audit mission covers two fiscal years, namely: 2023 and 2024. The Project audit will be carried out in in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA) as defined by the IFAC, which shall constitute the basis for all the checks and controls that the auditor shall in such circumstances deem necessary. The audit assignment is scheduled for an overall duration of 45 days.

The final audit reports must be received no later than five (5) months after the end of the financial year concerned. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR)of the mission can be consulted on the WAPP website: http://www.ecowapp.org/en/tenders The WAPP now invites eligible Consulting firms (Consultants) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants firms should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The application will not exceed thirty (30) A4 format pages. The shortlisting criteria are: (i) The Consultant must be an independent Audit and Accounting firm, regularly engaged in auditing accounts, regularly registered with an Order of Chartered Accountants recognized internationally by IFAC or FIDEF. (ii) General experience of more than ten years; (iii) Specific experience in auditing international organizations financed by traditional donors (World Bank, African Development Bank, European Union, etc.).

Key personnel will not be assessed at this stage of selection. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” September 2023 Edition (“The Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on relating to the rules on conflicts 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 “Least Cost Selection method” set out in the Procurement Regulations. Further information can be obtained at the addresses below: andorere@ecowapp.org copy to : msdiedhiou@ecowapp.org and gbawa@ecowapp.org Expressions of interest must be delivered in French or English (at the Consultant's choice) in electronic version only.

Applications will clearly bear in the subject of the email “Audit of the Solar Development Project 2023 and 2024- Expression of Interest” and must be received no later than 10:00 a.m. Cotonou time on February 20, 2024 at the following address: procurement@ecowapp.org The opening of the expressions of interest will take place the same day online at 10:30 a.m. An online invitation (with Microsoft Teams) will be sent to all candidates who have submitted an application.

The Minutes of Opening of expressions of interest received will be sent to all bidders.