Recruitment of specialized training providers for advanced training of the public workforce in the ICT sector in Rwanda

Date: 17th November 2025

REVISED REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES -FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT – FIRMS SELECTION)

Country: Rwanda

Project: Rwanda Digital Acceleration Project

Loan No./Credit No./ Grant No.: 7000-RW

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: RECRUITMENT OF SPECIALIZED TRAINING PROVIDERS TO DELIVER SPECIALIZED COURSES FOR THE PUBLIC WORKFORCE IN THE ICT SECTOR IN RWANDA UNDER THE FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT

Reference No: RW-RISA-446508-CS-QCBS (2.3)

The Government of Rwanda (GoR) has received US$200 million in funding from the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank for a ‘Digital Acceleration Project,’ which became effective in 2022 (henceforth referred to as ‘the Project’).[1] The Project aims to increase access to broadband and selected digital public services and strengthen the digital innovation ecosystem. The project will expand digital adoption, bringing more Rwandans online, by addressing the major barriers that dampen demand for digital services and by spearheading a series of innovative digital access and inclusion initiatives. The Project will also enhance Government’s digital service capabilities, equipping the Government with the ability to harness the power of big data and scale e-services based on shared digital standards, platforms, and infrastructure, leveraging critical enabling digital platforms and data-driven solutions to improve the efficiency of public service delivery and expand the adoption of digitally enabled services. Finally, the Project will increase Rwanda’s capacity to support digitally enabled innovation by strengthening the local entrepreneurship ecosystem, supporting tech firms to move from start-ups to growth, and by developing Rwanda’s digital talent base.

The Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of Rwanda Digital Acceleration Projection, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services related to Recruitment of Specialized Training Providers to Deliver Specialized Courses for the Public Workforce in the ICT Sector in Rwanda under the Framework Agreement

The consulting services (“the Services”) for Recruitment of Specialized Training Providers to Deliver Specialized Courses for the Public Workforce in the ICT Sector in Rwanda under the Framework Agreement include deliver of advanced trainings to the technical and support workforce in the ICT sector of the Government of Rwanda for approximately 500 individuals in various specializations courses under a framework agreement for a period of one year renewable twice upon satisfactory performance.

The training scope is divided into 9 independent lots, with each lot focusing on a specific area for skill needs. To ensure diversity and specialized focus, no single company is permitted to bid on more than 5 lots. This approach aims to promote fairness, encourage a wider range of expertise, and allow for the participation of multiple firms with unique strengths in specific training areas.

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

The Rwanda Information Society Authority 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:

• Certificate of incorporation for all firms

• Joint venture agreement and power of attorney where applicable

• The firm shall submit at least Two (2) recommendation letters or certificates of good completion from previous clients for similar assignments corresponding to each LOT applied for.

• While detailed evaluation of staff profiles and experience will occur at the RFP stage, the firm should provide a high-level summary of the core technical team’s relevant experience and expertise for each Lot applied for.

• The firm shall outline its strategy for certifying trainees according to relevant industry-recognized standards. The narrative should indicate the specific certification bodies or frameworks to be used and how they ensure international recognition and quality assurance

• Specific information for each LOT are detailed in the Terms of Reference (TOR)

Individual biodata shall not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage and the shortlist will contain minimum of 5 firms to 8 firms.

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 2020 Borrowers” November 2020 (“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 Framework Agreement arrangements described in the Procurement Regulations and to be specifically set out in the Request for Proposals.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 09:00 to 1700 hours local time.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form on below email on or before 25th November 2025 at 05:00pm Local time.

Francine UWANYIRIGIRA

Chief Finance Officer (CFO)

Telecom House, 8 KG 7 Ave, Kacyiru, Kigali. Boulevard de l’Umuganda3rd Floor, Wing B, Room No 2

Tel; +250788642036/+250783716232

Email: [email protected] and copy [email protected]

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Recruitment of Specialized Training Providers to Deliver Specialized Courses for the Public Workforce in the ICT Sector in Rwanda under the Framework Agreement

Project: Digital Acceleration Project

Contract type: Consultancy Services (firm or consortium)

Estimated duration: 12 months (framework contract) renewable twice upon satisfactory performance

Location: Rwanda

• BACKGROUND

Country context

The Government of Rwanda (GoR) has put ICT at the centre of its social and economic transformation agenda, positioning digital transformation as the catalyst to accelerate the achievement of the country’s development goal.

Rwanda’s Vision 2050 articulates the long-term strategic development direction of the Country as a pathway that will lead the Country to the living standards of upper middle income by 2035 and high-income countries by the year 2050. A key pillar of the strategy is “Human Development” which projects a significant population increase and the imperative to undertake essential investments in human capital development and economic reforms so that the Country can have a healthy, well-educated, and highly skilled labour force that is gainfully employed. A sizeable portion of the labour force is expected to work for the public sector thus the important need for continuous training, upskilling and reskilling.

To bridge the skills gap and meet the demands of a growing economy, Rwanda's second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) is designed to accelerate socio-economic progress by "Developing Skills for the Future." The strategy focuses on preparing Rwandans for a digital future, with ambitious goals to equip one million coders and train 500,000 people in advanced ICT skills, ensuring Rwanda remains competitive in the global digital economy by 2029.

As part of their mandate, the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT) and Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) have to play a critical role in leading the implementation of the National ICT Policy and Strategy in Rwanda, streamlining research, innovation, and infrastructure investment, including the digitization of government services. RISA’s core mandate also includes strengthening the institutional and human capacities of IT professionals in selected domains, such as IT professional courses and other essential skills, to ensure staff are equipped with the necessary skills.

Digital Acceleration Project

The Government of Rwanda (GoR) has received US$200 million in funding from the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank for a ‘Digital Acceleration Project,’ which became effective in 2022 (henceforth referred to as ‘the Project’).[1] The Project aims to increase access to broadband and selected digital public services and strengthen the digital innovation ecosystem. The project will expand digital adoption, bringing more Rwandans online, by addressing the major barriers that dampen demand for digital services and by spearheading a series of innovative digital access and inclusion initiatives. The Project will also enhance Government’s digital service capabilities, equipping the Government with the ability to harness the power of big data and scale e-services based on shared digital standards, platforms, and infrastructure, leveraging critical enabling digital platforms and data-driven solutions to improve the efficiency of public service delivery and expand the adoption of digitally enabled services. Finally, the Project will increase Rwanda’s capacity to support digitally enabled innovation by strengthening the local entrepreneurship ecosystem, supporting tech firms to move from start-ups to growth, and by developing Rwanda’s digital talent base.

The Project is led by the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT), with the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) serving as the lead implementing agency. A dedicated Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) has been established at RISA to support implementation.

Support for Specialized Training in Advanced ICT Trainings for the Public Workforce

The Country’s vision for 2050 acknowledges digital transforma