Recruitment of a Consulting Firm for the Development of the Sierra Leone Startup Act — Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project

(Consulting Services – Firm Selection)

Date of Issue: 12th September 2025

Country: Republic of Sierra Leone

Name of Project: Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project

Consulting Services: Recruitment of a Consulting Firm for the Development of the Sierra Leone Startup Act. Ref: SL-MoF-500933-CS-QCBS.

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• Introduction

The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) has committed to transforming its economy based on a more inclusive and human-centric digital growth and development approach. A high-level vision for the digital economy is articulated in the new National Digital Development Policy (NDDP), which was approved by the Cabinet in December 2021 setting the GoSL’s vision to transform Sierra Leone into an inclusive digital economy and society and to leverage digital technology to support the GoSL to deliver on its national development plan effectively and efficiently. The Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project (SLDTP) aims to expand access to broadband internet, increase digital skills, and improve government capacity to deliver public services digitally. The project will support the development of a strong enabling environment for the nation’s digital transformation and digital development agenda as articulated in the National Digital Development Strategy.

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• Objectives

The objectives outlined within this Terms of Reference encapsulate the Startup Act development pathways strategic to drive the development of Sierra Leone’s National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Vision.

• Strategically design and enact a forward-thinking legislative framework that catalyses fostering a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic resilience within Sierra Leone.

• Innovate labor market regulations to adapt to the evolving needs of the workforce and employers, ensuring a balance between flexibility and protection to support sustainable employment growth and talent development.

• Catalyze an inclusive and vibrant startup ecosystem through the strategic implementation of policies that promote collaboration, knowledge exchange, and resource-sharing among diverse stakeholders, driving sustainable innovation-led growth.

• Foster strategic global market integration by developing policies that facilitate trade, protect against unfair practices, and foster strategic partnerships, positioning Sierra Leone as a global player in innovation-driven industries.

• Integrate sustainability principles into the fabric of policy formulation and implementation, ensuring that innovation and entrepreneurship efforts contribute to long-term environmental, social, and economic sustainability for Sierra Leone and its people.

The Project Coordination Unit of the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project 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. The shortlisting criteria are core business and years in business, relevant experience, and 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 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers first published July 2016 and Revised February 2025, and National Public Procurement Act 2016, 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 Base Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information and detailed Terms of Reference can be obtained at the link below:

https://sldtp.gov.sl/2025/09/12/tor-consultancy-services-for-the-development-of-the-sierra-leone-startup-act/

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below by e-mail on or before 26th September 2025 at 12:00 GMT.

Project Coordination Unit

Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project

Attn: The Project Coordinator

8th Floor,

Youyi Building

E-mail: [email protected] CC: [email protected]

Please indicate clearly the Name of the Assignment in the email subject heading and attachment as only electronic submission will be accepted.