Recruitment of a Consulting Firm for Least-Cost Digital Infrastructure

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

COUNTRY: Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)

NAME OF PROJECT: Inclusive Digitalization for Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA)

Contract Reference No.: ZM-COMESA - 525914-QCBS

Grant No.: E349-3E

Assignment Title: Technical Consultancy on Development of Least-Cost, Digital Infrastructure Planning and Financing Models for Connectivity Expansion in Eastern and Southern Africa

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has received a grant from the World Bank for the cost of Inclusive Digitalization for Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The overall objective of the consulting services (“the Services”) include developing of financing models, designing Least Cost and sustainable connectivity options, developing an integrated digital infrastructure planning platform and developing toolkits for project preparation support. The estimated implementation period is thirteen months (390 calendar days), commencing from the date of signing the contract.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached to this Request for Expressions of Interest and can be obtained from the COMESA Website at the address given below.

1.0 DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

The consulting services (“the Services”) include developing of financing models, designing Least Cost and sustainable connectivity options, developing an integrated digital infrastructure planning platform and developing toolkits for project preparation support. This assignment does not include the procurement or supply of any hardware or equipment.

2.0 SCOPE OF CONSULTANCY SERVICES

Key areas on the scope are outlined below:

2.1 Digital Infrastructure Financing Models for IDEA program countries.

(ii) Reviewing of existing financing mechanisms such as USFs, loans, risk guaranteeing and blended finance, at the macro level including representative samples from the remaining COMESA countries; and

(ii) Developing tailored, sustainable and viable financing models to bridge ICT investment gaps and attract private capital for the targeted countries.

2.2 Least-Cost Connectivity Options:

(i) identifying cost-effective and sustainable connectivity solutions for public institutions, remote, and cross-border areas at micro level; and

(ii) conducting economic assessments comparing such as fibre, wireless, and satellite options to determine the most viable models linked with the available financing models.

2.3 Integrated Digital Infrastructure Planning Platform:

2.3.1 designing, customising and developing for COMESA an integrated regional Digital Infrastructure Planning platform with capabilities for data integration, spatial analysis, and scenario modelling, accompanied by training and capacity-building support; and

2.3.2 Piloting the platform in up to four priority Member States with the highest potential to apply it holistically, thereby enabling comprehensive validation and stabilization while demonstrating its overall value.

2.4 Project Preparation Support Concept:

2.4.1 Developing practical guidelines and toolkits for preparing bankable ICT infrastructure projects;

2.4.2 Providing structured approaches for feasibility studies, transaction structuring, and risk mitigation measures covering technical, financial, operational, and where relevant, environmental and social (E&S); and

2.4.2 Proposing a regional support mechanism to strengthen Member States’ project preparation capacities prioritizing IDEA countries.

3.0 QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE OF THE CONSULTANTS

COMESA is seeking applications from a firm. The selected firm is expected to demonstrate a track-record of successfully carrying out similar assignments, including:

(i) Experience of supporting regional or national broadband infrastructure planning and financing initiatives.

(ii) Experience of working on ICT sector financing, blended finance, or digital infrastructure policy.

(iii) Experience of engaging with ISPs, infrastructure investors, and DFIs.

The successful firm should have a team with the following minimum qualifications and experience:

3.1 Lead Consultant

i. A minimum of a master’s degree in economics, Engineering, Finance or related field.

ii. Minimum of 15 years’ experience in ICT infrastructure, public-private financing, or related sectors.

iii. Proven track record in leading complex, multi-stakeholder assignments.

iv. Experience working with governments and private sector entities on infrastructure projects.

v. Strong experience managing regional projects and cross-country coordination.

vi. Excellent communication and report writing skills.

vii. Prior experience working in Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE).

3.2 Infrastructure Finance Specialist

i. Master’s degree in finance, Economics, Development Finance, or related field.

ii. At least 10 years of experience designing or assessing digital infrastructure financing mechanisms.

iii. Strong understanding of public and private financing structures in the ICT sector.

vi. Demonstrated ability to assess investor risk appetites and financing constraints.

3.3 Connectivity Modeling Expert

i. Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Telecommunications, or related technical field.

ii. At least 8 years of experience in broadband infrastructure planning and modelling.

iii. Familiarity with least-cost network design tools or methodologies.

vi. Experience working with public institutions and underserved areas in Africa.

3.4 Stakeholder Engagement Specialist/ Research Specialist

i. Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Communications, user experience (UX/UI) or related discipline.

ii. At least 7 years of experience in stakeholder engagement, qualitative research, or facilitation.

iii. Experience conducting consultations with private sector, DFIs, and government stakeholders.

iv Strong verbal and written facilitation skills.

3.5 Geospatial Developer / Data Scientist

i. Familiarity with international good practices in open data, spatial data infrastructure (SDI), and cross-sector data governance.

ii. A minimum of a master’s degree in computer science, GIS, Remote Sensing, or related field or 5+ years of equivalent professional experience

iii. At least 8 years of professional experience working with geospatial data and infrastructure mapping.

Iv Expertise in GIS software and open-source web mapping tools (e.g., QGIS, Leaflet, PostGIS, Mapbox, GeoServer);

i. Experience designing and managing spatial databases and APIs.

ii. 5+ years’ experience in programming languages, e.g. Python, Java,

iii. Proven ability to develop dashboards, overlays, and analytical visualizations for non-technical audiences.

iv. Proven skills in modern web development frameworks (e.g., React, Django, Node.js) and geospatial tools (e.g., Turf.js, OpenLayers).

v. Familiarity with cloud hosting, cybersecurity, and backend optimization for data-intensive platforms.

vi. Experience setting up platform analytics, bug tracking, and update management protocols.

3.6 Regulatory and Policy Advisor

i. Bachelor’s Degree in international law or related field.

ii. At least 10 years’ experience in ICT regulatory frameworks, public-private partnerships in the AFE region.

iii. Demonstrated expertise in telecom regulation, licensing regimes, and cross-border harmonization.

3.7 Environmental and Social Safeguards Expert

i. Master’s degree in environmental sciences, social sciences or related field

ii. At least 5 years of relevant experience in life cycle assessments, environmental and social assessment, multi-criteria assessment, environmental and social monitoring, etc.

iii. Experience in preparing and managing the implementation of safeguards instruments including Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and other environmental and social subsidiary management plans, as necessary

iv. Proven ability to advise and support project environmental assessments and social safeguards preparation, and experience of investment program identification, program design and implementation

v. Knowledge of environmental and social safeguards policies, frameworks, instruments of Multilateral Financing Institutions and Development Agencies (e.g. World Bank, African Development Bank, European Union, United Nations Agencies, etc.).

The estimated implementation period is thirteen (13) months (390 calendar days), commencing from the date of signing the contract.

The detailed Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest or can be obtained at the address given below.

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa now invite 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:

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The Qualifications and Experience of Key Experts shall not be included in the shortlisting criteria. However, at an administrative stage of shortlisting, an Expression of Interest shall only be assessed for completeness in terms of submitting a list of experts for all specified positions as outlined in the ToRs, meeting the minimum educational qualification and complying with the minimum number of years of relevant experience.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn