Development of program and methodology to strengthen digital entrepreneurship ecosystem in The Gambia

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Development of Program and Methodology to Strengthen the Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in The Gambia.

Country: The Republic of The Gambia

Project Name: Digital Transformation for Africa / Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (DTfA/WARDIP SOP1)

Project ID: P176932

Reference: WARDIP/C4.3/2024/LCS001

Assignment Tittle: Development of Program and Methodology to Strengthen the Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in The Gambia.

Duration of the assignment: Four (4) months

Date of Issued: 5th December 2024

Deadline of submission: 24th December 2024, 12:00pm (Gambian Time)

Selection Method: Least Cost Selection (LCS)

Background:

The Government of The Gambia has secured funding from the International Development Association (IDA), referred to as ‘the Bank,’ under the Digital Transformation for Africa - Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP) Series of Projects (SOP)-1, with an allocation of USD 50 million.

The primary goal of DTfA/WARDIP-SOP1 is to strengthen the digital infrastructure and ecosystem within The Gambia to support national and regional digital transformation. Among its objectives, the project aims to foster broadband connectivity, enhance digital public services, and establish a seamless digital ecosystem that aligns with the broader goal of creating a Single Digital Market in Western Africa.

A critical component of this initiative involves fostering a robust digital entrepreneurship ecosystem that empowers local Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs) to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital adoption. This aligns with the national vision to create a thriving digital economy while promoting regional collaboration and inclusivity for women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

To achieve these goals, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment (MoTIE), in collaboration with the World Bank, is seeking to engage a qualified consulting firm to develop a comprehensive program and methodology for strengthening The Gambia's digital entrepreneurship ecosystem. This will include capacity building for ESOs, regional collaboration frameworks, gender-specific subprograms, and a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system to measure progress.

Objectives

The main objective of this consultancy is to develop a program and methodology to strengthen the digital entrepreneurship ecosystem in The Gambia. Specific objectives include:

• Mapping and reviewing existing ESOs and their role in supporting digital entrepreneurship.

• Designing a program to enhance digital entrepreneurship and digital adoption.

• Developing a roadmap for phased implementation and impact measurement.

• Creating gender-specific subprograms to promote inclusivity and equal access.

• Establishing an M&E framework to track program effectiveness.

Scope of Work

The consultant(s) will:

• Conduct a detailed assessment of the digital entrepreneurship landscape, including ESO mapping and stakeholder engagement.

• Design a comprehensive program methodology with key components such as capacity building, regional collaboration, and digital innovation activities.

• Develop gender-sensitive strategies to address gaps and provide targeted support to women-led initiatives.

• Formulate a roadmap detailing phased implementation strategies, milestones, and timelines.

• Propose a sustainable model for resource allocation and infrastructure utilization.

Key Deliverables The selected firm will provide the following deliverables:

Key deliverables include:

• Inception Report : Including methodology, timelines, and initial stakeholder engagement.

• ESO Landscape Report : Comprehensive mapping and analysis of existing ESOs.

• Draft Digital Ecosystem Program (Report A) : Focusing on capacity building, regional collaboration, and innovation.

• Draft Digital Ecosystem Program (Report B) : Detailing sustainability planning and the M&E system.

• Final Report: Consolidating all components and incorporating feedback.

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Duration

The consultancy is expected to last for four (4) months, starting from the contract date.

Firms Qualification

Interested firms must demonstrate:

• The firm must have an experience of minimum five (5) years in the development of program and methodology to strengthen digital entrepreneurship ecosystem or similar assignment.

• Demonstrate experience in formulating up to three (3) programs and methodology to strengthen digital entrepreneurship ecosystem. Experience completing a similar project in Africa is a plus.

• Firm must have a strong background of the entrepreneurship ecosystem of The Gambia and experience in entrepreneurship development.

• Demonstrable understanding of The Gambia’s Economic structure and experience in Private Sector Development.

• The Firm should demonstrate a good understanding of the MSME landscape and the role of enterprise support organizations in the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

• The firm must have experience in public policy formulation which is an added advantage.

• Previous working experience in enterprise support organizations will be an added advantage.

The attention of interested firms is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” (July 1st, 2016, revised in November 2017, Augus 2018 and September 2023) (“A Candidate will be selected in accordance with the LEAST COST SELECTION (LCS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information and the full TOR can be obtained from the email addresses below during office hours from 08:00 to 16:00 GMT on Mondays to Thursdays and from 0800 to 12:30 GMT on Fridays.

Expressions of interest together with relevant documents must be delivered in a written form or via email addresses below not later than 12:00pm 24th December 2024. Submissions should be in hard, or softcopy marked as Expression of Interest for the Development of Program and Methodology to Strengthen the Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in The Gambia.

All interested firms are urged to send their expression of interest letters with attached documents to the following email addresses:

• Sent to the Project Coordinator: [email protected]

• Attention to the Project Procurement Specialist: [email protected]

Physical Address of the Project:

Digital Transformation for Africa –

Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program

C/O Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy

Bertil Harding Highway, Stadium Junction, Bakau, The Gambia, West Africa.

Digital Address (Google Maps): F889+WWH