SELECTION OF CONSULTING FIRMS BY THE WORLD BANK GROUP
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)
Electronic Submissions through WBGeProcure RFx Now
ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW
Assignment Title: Burundi Telecom / Digital Sector Assessment
Assignment Countries:
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION
The International Finance Corporation(IFC) – a member of the World Bank Group (WBG) – is the largest globaldevelopment institution focused exclusively on the private sector.
Burundi has significant infrastructure deficits, particularly in access to information and communications technology (ICT). Poor coverage and low-quality infrastructure increase costs, and lower the return on capital and work, affects competitiveness, enhances risks, discouraging investments. Burundi’s poor and inadequate productivity infrastructure (including ICT) constrains the modernization of domestic firms and inhibits private sector-led growth. Lack of digital connectivity limits the opportunities for using modern technologies and limits the connectivity and competitiveness of domestic firms. Burundi ranks 171 out of 175 countries in the ICT Development Index.
Access and usage of internet services inBurundi are below the regional average. Only 18% of the population have accessto mobile broadband. The quality of service is poor, and usage is very low at6% (ITU 2023). Although 2G mobile covers 97% of the population, 3G coveragestalls at 50% (GSMA). Factors such as limited infrastructure, high costs, taxrates, weak regulatory framework, and technological barriers impede FDI.However, sizable investments are needed to improve broadband access. Whilst theGoB is taking steps to modernize the regulatory framework, more is needed to createan environment for investment and provision of affordable services. The telecomregulator reported in 2022 2,139,471 active mobile money accounts in Burundifor a population of 12 million people (UN). According to the 2022 GSMA ranking,Burundi is the 4th least connected by mobile services. There are 3 operators:Onatel, Lumitel and Econet. Burundi Backbone System (BBS) is the backboneoperator. Recent efforts include the adoption of the Electronic Communications andPostal Code in October 2023.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have been identified by the Governmentof Burundi (GoB) as one of the solutions for financing infrastructure. The PPP legalframework was updated in 2019, but implementing texts are yet to be adopted.
The GoBhas developed an ambitious program to improve the telecoms/digital infrastructureand counts on the private sector’s increased involvement to achieve this objective.The World Bank (WB) is supporting the telecoms / digital sector in the country,including through the “Burundi - Digital Foundations Project”, which aims at increasingbroadband internet access, especially to underserved communities, and improvingthe government’s capacity to deliver public services digitally. The GoBrequested IFC's support to help increase private participation in the sector.
IFC is seeking the services of aqualified firm to conduct a diagnostic study. The objective is to collaborate with relevantstakeholders in Burundi to identify key constraints and investmentopportunities in the Telecom / digital sector. To this end, a diagnostic willbe prepared that (i) reviews the current supply/demand market structure to identifycritical bottlenecks and opportunities for the development of broadbandservices, (ii) maps regulatory and institutional framework to identifynecessary reforms and harmonization to unlock market opportunities, (iii) assessesskills available and gaps to drive the digital economy in Burundi, and (iv)prepares a plan to unlock private sector investment in improved broadbandadoption and digital market development, leveraging private sectorparticipation, which will be the main deliverable.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The World Bank Group invites eligible firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc. for firms; CV and cover letter for individuals). Please note that the total size of all attachments should be less than 5MB. Firms may associate to enhance their qualifications unless otherwise stated in the solicitation documents. Where a group of firms associate to submit an EOI, they must indicate which is the lead firm. If shortlisted, the firm identified in the EOI as the lead firm will be invited to the request for proposal (RFP) phase.
Expressions of Interest should be submitted, in English, electronically through WBGeProcure RFx Now
NOTES
Following this invitation for EOI, a shortlist of qualified firms will be formally invited to submit proposals. Shortlisting and selection will be subject to the availability of funding.
Only those firms which have been shortlisted will be invited to participate in the RFP phase. No notification or debrief will be provided to firms which have not been shortlisted.
If you encounter technical difficulties while uploading documents, please send an e-mail to the Help Desk at corporateprocurement@worldbank.org prior to the submission deadline.