Strategic Plan for the National Payment System (NPS) for CBS — Somalia productive, resilient, and inclusive growth (SPRING) project

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA The Ministry of Finance REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI) Country: Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) Name of the Project: Somalia Productive, Resilient and Inclusive Growth Project (SPRING), Assignment Title: Consultancy service to conduct Strategic Plan for National Payment System (NPS) – Somalia Project ID: P501662 Deadline for submission of EOI 8th August 2026 4:00pm Individual/Firm: firm Selection Ref No. SO-MOF-543502-CS-QCBS 1. Background : In May 2025, the Federal Republic of Somalia, through its Ministry of Finance (MoF) launched the Somalia Productive, Resilient, and Inclusive Growth (SPRING) project. The project development objective is to promote private sector-led growth and job creation by improving the business-enabling environment, strengthening the financial system, and enhancing access to finance. The SPRING project is organized around four components (three mutually reinforcing and one supporting): (i) Component 1: Improving the enabling environment for the private sector; (ii) Component 2: Deepening financial sector reforms and strengthening institutional capacity; (iii) Component 3: Enhancing access to finance and resilience for MSMEs; and (iv) Component 4: Project Management. A wide range of activities will be implemented as part of this project to reach its development objective, such as improvements to regulatory/institutional frameworks, the rollout of the digital ID system, financial sector reforms, the creation of a risk-sharing mechanism, and the provision of business development services for micro, small and medium enterprises in select economic sectors, among others. The MoF received US$105 million from the World Bank, including US$10 million from the Somalia Multi-Partner Fund to implement the SPRING project. As part of this initiative Deepening financial sector reforms and strengthening institutional capacity, MoF intends to apply part of the proceeds from the World Bank to finance the Consultancy Service to conduct Strategic Plan National Payment System (NPS) – Somalia. (firm) 2. Responsibilities: The purpose of this assignment is to engage a qualified consulting firm (“Consultant”) to Develop a five-year strategic roadmap for modernizing Somalia’s NPS.: Strengthen DPI to enhance interoperability, accessibility, inclusiveness, and resilience: Align the NPS with BIS PFMIs, ISO 20022, and other global benchmarks: Support regional integration through harmonization with EAC and other frameworks: Incorporate innovations such as instant payments, open APIs, digital identity, and advanced risk management: Improve safety, efficiency, and robustness of the payment ecosystem: Provide actionable recommendations on governance, risk management, operations, and regulatory compliance. All other specific tasks detailed in the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website link: https://centralbank.gov.so/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/TOR_NPS_Strategic_Roadmap_Consultant_Firm_Somalia-1.pdf 3. Duration: The firm is expected to complete the proposed assignment within 12 Months. 4 . The Ministry of Finance 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 (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.). The shortlisting criteria are as follows: I. Core business of the firm at least 10 years' experience in payment systems, financial sector reforms, or Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). II. Specific experience in successfully implementing similar assignments. (Proven track record of previous similar experiences of successfully completing at least one (preferably two) assignment involving the development of National Payment System strategies, payment system modernization roadmaps, or similar financial market infrastructure strategies for central banks, financial regulators, or equivalent institutions) Proven expertise in BIS PFMIs, ISO 20022, instant payments, interoperability, financial inclusion, cybersecurity, and payment system governance. The Consultant shall provide the name and contact address of the Client (office and e-mail address and telephone number), date(s) of execution, name (s) of lead and associate firms, contract amount, and financing sources. III. Experience of relevant services in an environment similar to that of Somalia and IV. Technical and managerial organization of the firm (provide only the structure of the organization). Do not provide CVs of key staff. Key experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage. 5. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to section III, para 3.14,3.16 & 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Projects Financing Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services dated in September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. 6 . Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected 7. A Consultant will be selected under the Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS ) method set out in the Procurement Regulations. 8 . Interested Consultants may obtain further information (in person or by e-mail) at the address below during office hours from 8.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Saturday to Thursday except on public holidays. 9. Deadline for submission: Expressions of interest should be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by e-mail) by 8th August 2026 4:00pm Attention; Project Coordinator SCALED-UP Project Ministry of Finance Federal Government of Somalia Shangani District, Mogadishu, Somalia Email Address: bid.scaledup@piu.mof.gov.so Cc: Procurement@centralbank.gov.so