Detailed Analysis of Digital Payments and Financial Digital Services Infrastr…

Expression of Interest WARDIP-C - 013-2023

Review of payments ecosystem in Guinea-Bissau to design the WARDIP interventions that will strengthen and promote the adoption of Digital Financial Services in the country.

• Backgraund To support the region’s digital transformation, the World Bank (WB) is financing the preparation of the West African Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP) – Guinea-Bissau – for US$60 million for five years. The project is expected to be submitted for approval by the World Bank Executive Board in September 2023; it’s entered the preparations phase since May 2023

The design of the proposed program considers the need for Guinea-Bissau to develop a digital economy, while aligning itself and integrating into a single and harmonized regional digital market. This will be done through a logical chain consisting on building single regional market for connectivity, data and online services,

Despite the availability of electronic tools such as mobile phones, and the prioritization of the digitization of financial services across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), Guinea-Bissau's adoption of DFS´s as a national political priority remains lagging. To overcome these obstacles, the Government of Guinea-Bissau is looking for a consultancy service to:

• examine and map the payments ecosystem in Guinea Bissau, including in the field of government payments (P2G/G2P, B2G/G2B, G2G);
• (ii) identify initiatives to support merchant payment acceptance, needed interfaces at the national level to ensure broad interoperability, open to banks, non-bank financial institutions, and the national government of Guinea-Bissau; and
• (iii) assess existing barriers and constraints affecting access and use of digital financial services (demand side assessment) and recommend solutions that could be implemented at the project
• qualification requirements
• At least 5 (five) years of professional experience in the field of payment systems, with proven experience in the evaluation, implementation, design or operation of payment systems; including immediate payment systems.
• Demonstrated, deep knowledge and understanding of Retail and Large Values Payments systems, electronic interbank payment system infrastructures, Payment Systems Accounting, Settlement, Clearing, as well as RTGS, IPS, and ACH and other new payment system technologies.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and/or implementing successful instant payment systems would be considered an advantage.
• Experience in developing Technical Specifications for Business ICT Solutions, preferably payment systems, would be considered an advantage.
• Excellent understanding of the various risks involved in ACH, RTGS and IPS systems and understanding of how other digital payments infrastructures could be integrated.
• Proven experience with the application of the Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures.
• Familiarity with the issues and challenges of developing a payment system in a developing country.
• Excellent communication skills in English and Portuguese (written and oral) and proven experience with technical and analytical reporting.
• Excellent presentation skills, including the ability to present technical materials to a mixed audience clearly and concisely. Selection of the sucessful consultant will be made on the basis of the “Quality and Cost method” as described in the World Bank procurement regulations for Investiments Projets Borrowers 2016 Edition and following updates. For more information and obtention of term of reference, you can requeste it directly on the Office of the Emergency and Food Safety Project (PUSA) located: Rua Osvaldo Vieira, house nº 10, or via email: [email protected]. It should be noted that TOR's are available in Portuguese and English, however the procurement language remains in Portuguese.

Consultants firm insterested in providing the consultancy services mentionned above should express their interest until 21st August 12:00 GMT