Consultancy services to develop the COMESA model policy on the Carbon Market — Accelerating Sustainable & Clean Energy Access Transformation Program Using the Multiphase Programma

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMESA MODEL POLICY FRAMEWORK ON CARBON MARKET DEVELOPMENT -ZM-COMESA-553250-CS-QCBS. 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) received a grant from the World Bank towards the implementation of the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) program and intends to apply part of the proceeds towards the provision of consultancy services for the development of the carbon policy framework on carbon market development. COMESA intends to develop a Model Policy Framework for Carbon Markets that will : Provide structured, non-binding guidance to Member States. Support readiness for high-integrity participation in carbon markets. Promote regional coordination and policy convergence where appropriate; and Ensure alignment of carbon market development with COMESA’s climate, energy, and broader development priorities. The proposed Model Policy Framework will provide structured, nonbinding guidance to Member States, enabling them to establish robust and transparent systems for carbon market participation while preserving national sovereignty. It will emphasize principles of environmental integrity, transparency, accountability, and equitable benefitsharing, ensuring that carbon market activities contribute meaningfully to sustainable growth and resilience. The framework will also outline institutional arrangements, including national focal points and a regional coordination platform under the COMESA Secretariat, to facilitate policy convergence, knowledge sharing, and collective engagement in international negotiations. In addition, the framework will provide technical guidance on monitoring, reporting, and verification systems, carbon registries, and safeguards against double counting, thereby supporting Member States in meeting international standards. It will promote regional cooperation through shared standards for carbon credit quality, mechanisms for crossborder projects, and the establishment of a regional knowledge hub. Importantly, the framework will align carbon market development with COMESA’s broader climate, energy, and development priorities, with potential to link carbon finance to renewable energy expansion and productive use of energy By advancing this initiative, COMESA will strengthen institutional capacity across the region, enhance transparency and accountability, and foster investor confidence. The framework will help Member States avoid the pitfalls of fragmented approaches, build collective bargaining power in global climate negotiations, and ensure that carbon market participation supports inclusive and sustainable development. Ultimately, the Model Policy Framework will serve as a strategic tool to guide Member States toward highintegrity engagement in carbon markets, reinforcing COMESA’s role as a driver of regional integration and sustainable transformation. 2.0 OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT 3.1 OVERALL GOAL To enhance and strengthen the enabling policy environment for high integrity carbon market development in the COMESA and ASCENT region by establishing a harmonized Model Carbon Market Policy Framework and Implementation Plan that supports Member States in mobilizing carbon finance to accelerate sustainable energy access. 3.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES The objective of this assignment is to support the COMESA Secretariat in: Developing a comprehensive, practical, and adaptable Model Policy Framework for Carbon Markets for use by COMESA Member States and ASCENT countries. Piloting the application of the Model Policy Framework in two COMESA Member States or ASCENT countries, to evaluate its usability and flexibility. Identify implementation challenges and capacity gaps; and refine the framework based on realworld country experience. The Model Policy Framework shall: Be consistent with the Paris Agreement, in particular Article 6 Reflect COMESA’s experience with model policy development and harmonization. Support environmental integrity, transparency, and sustainable development. Be applicable to COMESA Member States and ASCENT countries at various stages of carbon market readiness. Full detailed TORs may be downloaded in English from the following link: https://www.comesa.int/consulting-services-for-the-development-of-the-comesa-model-policy-framework-on-carbon-market-development/ or can be obtained from the COMESA Secretariat on request using the email provided below: Attn: Mr. Silver Mwesigwa Head of Procurement Email: procurement@comesa.int 3.0 SHORTLISTING CRITERIA The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa 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. The shortlisting criteria is as follows. No. Evaluation CRITERIA 1 The firm’s core business (Submit company profile) 2 Experience of the firm Evidence of having carried validation and verification of carbon project (Name, scope and cost of precious comparable similar assignments and client contact details -email, physical address and details of the contact person) 3 Technical and managerial capability of the firm to manage the assignment 4 Eligibility (Firms must not be debarred or sanctioned by the World Bank) The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers,” Sixth Edition of February 2025. 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. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations Sixth Edition of February 2025. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 09:00 to 16:00 hours Monday to Thursday, on Fridays from 09:00 to 12:30 hours Zambian time except for weekends and Public Holidays. Address: Head of Procurement, COMESA Secretariat, Ben Bella Road, Lusaka, Zambia. Email address: procurement@comesa.int 4.0 SUBMISSION Expressions of interest must be submitted written to the following email address; Tenders@comesa.int with a copy to procurement@comesa.int ATT: THE HEAD OF PROCUREMENT ASSIGNMENT TITLE : CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMESA MODEL POLICY FRAMEWORK ON CARBON MARKET DEVELOPMENT REFERENCE No. ZM-COMESA-553250-CS-QCBS. 5.0 CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION The Closing date for receipt of the Expression of Interest is 29 July 2026 at 10:00 hours Zambian time NB: Physical submission of EOIs shall not be accepted.