Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project ( - Тендер #71226440)

• Project ID

P176181

• Project Title

Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project

• Country

Eastern and Southern Africa

• Notice No

OP00431694

• Notice Type

Request for Expression of Interest

• Notice Status

Published

• Borrower Bid Reference

TZ-EAC-538190-CS-CQS

• Procurement Method

Consultant Qualification Selection

• Language of Notice

English

• Submission Deadline Date/Time

Mar 24, 2026 11:00

• Published Date

Mar 10, 2026

• CONTACT INFORMATION
• Organization/Department

East African Community

• Name

Daniel Murenzi

• Address

East African Community Headquarters Off Afrika Mashariki Road P.O. Box 1096 Arusha

• City

• Province/State

Eastern and Southern Africa

• Postal Code

• Country

Eastern and Southern Africa

• Phone

0786 222540

• Email

dmurenzi@eachq.org

• Website

EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES - FIRMS SELECTION)

REF NO: TZ-EAC-538190-CS-CQS

East African Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP)

Project ID No/Loan No./Credit No./ Grant No.: (P176181)

Date of Issue: 10th March 2026

CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO DEVELOP HARMONIZED VERSION OF COMMON MESSAGING STANDARDS (ISO 20022) FOR THE EAC REGION

The East African Community has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The Services include the Consultancy Services to develop harmonized version of Common Messaging Standards (ISO 20022) for the EAC region. The assignment is expected to last eight (8) months. The scope includes a comprehensive technical and regulatory review of existing payment messaging practices across all EAC Partner States, benchmarking them against ISO 20022 standards, and identifying interoperability gaps. It also includes stakeholder consultations, development of harmonized minimum data requirements, ISO 20022 message mapping tables, technical and governance implementation guidelines, and facilitation of regional validation workshops and capacity building to support practical adoption of the harmonized standard.

The specific objective of the assignment is to develop harmonized ISO 20022-based common messaging standard for cross-border payments in the EAC, supported by practical technical implementation guidelines that enhance interoperability, improve data quality and transparency, enable straight-through processing, and strengthen regulatory compliance across Partner States.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: EARDIP: Development of Harmonized Version of Common Messaging Standards (ISO 20022) for the EAC Region

The EAC Secretariat now invites 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 described.

The shortlisting criterion is as follows:

• Firm’s Existence: The firm must be legally registered and operational for at least five (5) years prior to the EOI submission deadline, and must provide verifiable documentation confirming its legal status and good standing. It should also demonstrate financial stability, supported by audited financial statements or equivalent evidence, and must present proof of previous assignments undertaken for donor-funded programs, multilateral development institutions, or public-sector clients.

• Relevant Experience of the Firm: The firm must demonstrate the successful completion of at least two (2) similar or related consultancy assignments within the last four (4) years, providing brief descriptions, client details, contract durations, and references where available. It should also show a proven track record in payment systems modernization and interoperability initiatives at national or regional levels. In addition, the firm must present evidence of experience in ISO 20022 adoption or migration, including technical, operational, or strategic support provided to central banks, payment service providers, or financial market infrastructures.

• Technical Expertise: The firm must demonstrate strong technical expertise, including in‑depth knowledge of ISO 20022 message structures, data mapping, interoperability frameworks, and the development of technical implementation guidelines. It should also provide evidence of experience with core payment systems such as RTGS, ACH, instant payment platforms, or cross‑border payment systems, together with a proven understanding of industry standards, best practices, and modernization pathways relevant to payment systems transformation.

• Stakeholder Engagement: The firm should demonstrate substantial experience engaging with diverse stakeholders across both public and private sectors, including central banks, regulators, payment service providers, and financial institutions. It should also show a proven ability to successfully facilitate structured consultations, technical workshops, validation sessions, and broader multi‑stakeholder engagement processes. In addition, the firm must demonstrate the capacity to convene and coordinate technical and policy‑level actors within complex institutional or operational ecosystems, ensuring effective collaboration and alignment throughout the assignment.

• Regional Experience: The firm should provide clear evidence of working in multi‑country contexts within Eastern Africa, the Horn of Africa, or comparable regions, demonstrating familiarity with cross‑jurisdictional coordination. It should also show prior involvement in assignments implemented through Regional Economic Communities, preferably within Africa such as the EAC or participation in broader regional financial integration or harmonization initiatives. In addition, the firm must demonstrate a solid understanding of regional payment system challenges, including cross‑border interoperability issues and the institutional coordination dynamics required to support regional payments modernization.
• Organizational and Staffing Capability: The firm must demonstrate a clear organizational structure and sufficient managerial capacity to oversee complex, multi‑country technical assignments. It should have access to, or the ability to mobilize, a qualified multidisciplinary team with expertise in payment systems, ISO 20022, financial market infrastructures, and project management. In addition, the firm must show a proven capacity to deliver high‑quality outputs within agreed timelines, supported by robust internal quality assurance procedures and effective project oversight mechanisms.

Interested Consultants’ attention is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (November 2020, revised September 2023), which outline the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but must clearly indicate whether the association is in the form of a joint venture (JV) or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture (JV), all partners shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract if selected. Therefore, each JV member must independently meet the evaluation criteria requirements. The experience, technical capability, and managerial capability of a sub-consultant shall not be considered to enhance the qualifications of the lead firm or JV.

A Consultant will be selected using the Consultants’ Qualification Selection (CQS) method as outlined in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information may be obtained at the address below during office hours (9:00AM to 5:00 PM EAT). The consultants would be responsible for ensuring that any addendum available on the website is also downloaded and incorporated.

Expressions of Interest must be submitted in English (one original and two copies, where applicable) in written form, either in person or via email, to the address below. The submission deadline is Tuesday, 24th March 2026, at 11:00 AM (EAT). The subject line should be: "Consultancy Services to Develop Harmonized EAC Common Messaging Standards (ISO 20022)."

The Secretary General
Attn: EARDIP
East African Community (EAC) Headquarters
P.O. Box 1096
Arusha, Tanzania

Tel: +255-27-2162100
Fax: +255-27-2162199
Email: eacprocurement@eachq.org, Cc: sangelo@eachq.org

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