Ghana Digital Acceleration Project

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRM SELECTION)

The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation has received Credit from the World Bank toward the cost of the Ghana Digital Acceleration Project (GDAP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds to engage a Consulting firm for technical and transaction advisory services, to design and implement PPP projects for broadband in rural Ghana.

.

Objectives of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to engage a Transaction Advisor (TA) to assist the implementing agency, the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), to determine areas without connectivity, priority projects to close gaps and how to leverage on private sector funding for digital expansion in lagging areas.

Scope of the assignment

The services to be provided shall include but not limited to the following:

1. Determine areas for intervention in lagging areas: where there is a “Coverage Gap” (areas where the private sector is unlikely to invest without some form of public interventions) and a “Market Efficiency Gap” (areas where the private sector has potential investment appetite). The assignment will include an assessment of detailed capacity requirements and technical specifications to support network planning in regions with limited coverage and capacity.
2. Conduct a feasibility study, to examine and determine  the viable  Public-Private Partnership (PPP) options and models  for network expansion and capacity upgrades. The study will recommend private sector financing options   and
3. support a tendering process to select telecommunication operators for identified locations, including the preparation of tender documentation,  for the recommended PPP option in the “Market Efficiency Gap and Coverage Gap.”
4.  Insert additional objective (knowledge transfer)

The scope of the assignment is divided into three (3) parts. The Transaction Advisor needs to submit a technical and financial proposal to address services prescribed in these terms of reference.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained at the address given below OR MoCD website: (info@mocd.gov.gh)

The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation now invites eligible Individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Individual Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

Shortlist criteria include:

• The firm or consortium required for the assignment must have at least 10 years of proven experience in the ICT industry and in managing complex projects especially in the digital space.
• Successfully conducted at least three (3) similar assignments in Ghana or Africa.
• Extensive knowledge of Policy/ Legal/ Regulatory, Financial and Technical knowledge in the ICT industry
• Experience in developing and maintaining interactive web-enabled geo-referenced portals with a dynamic back-end Content Management System and User Management Interfaces
• Financial analysis, with relevant Public Private Partnership (PPP) and project finance experience through to financial closure
• Experience in conducting Market Efficiency Gap and Feasibility studies
• Experience in conducting cost-benefit analysis, and assessments to determine the feasibility and long term sustainability of projects
• Experience in PPP procurement
• experience in the drafting and negotiating of PPP agreements
• Experience in Technical and Financial due diligence and advice on PPP structuring and contracts
• Knowledge of international best practices in project development, PPP arrangements
• Market research experience to assess demand and potential private sector participation.
• Experience of the firm in public procurement tendering processes
• Relevant expertise in telecommunications networks design, deployment, and operation

The attention of the interested Consultants is drawn to the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.  In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment on paragraph 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations. 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 0900 to 1700 hours on Monday to Friday.

• Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by July 15th , 2024 at 5pm GMT.

Address – For Submission of Expressions of Interest:

The Chief Director

Attn: The Project Coordinator: Ghana Digital Acceleration Project (GDAP) 

Project Rooms 39 Fifth Floor,

Ministry of Communications and

Digitalisation Office Complex

Abdul Diouf Street, near Kofi Annan ICT

Centre of Excellence

P.O. Box M.38, Ministries

Accra Ghana

Digital Address: GA-079-0539

To Email: pcu.gdap@moc.gov.gh

 URL: www.moc.gov.gh