Consultancy firm for the Development of Gender inclusion Strategy to increase Women’s Participation in ICT Policy Making and Governance. — Digital Transformation for Africa/ Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program SOP1

Request for expressions of interest for the recruitment of a Consultancy Firm for the Development of a Gender Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan to Increase Women’s Participation in ICT Policy Making and Governance Country: Rwanda Grant No.: IDA-E2670 Tender reference No.: RW-SAA-556292-CS-QCBS Assignment Title: Consulting firm for the Development of a Gender Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan to Increase Women’s Participation in ICT Policy Making and Governance The Smart Africa alliance has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Digital Transformation for Africa /Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program - WARDIP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services to hire consulting firm for the development of a Gender Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan to Increase Women’s Participation in ICT Policy Making and Governance. The consulting services (“the Services”) includes to generate empirical evidence on the current levels, barriers, drivers, and opportunities for women’s representation in ICT policymaking and governance across Africa, and to develop a comprehensive Gender Inclusion Strategy and Implementation Plan to increase women’s meaningful participation Specific Objectives: Conduct comprehensive mapping and gender assessment; Develop an evidence-based Gender Inclusion Strategy and Implementation Plan for SADA-WARDIP; aligned with the SADA Capacity Building Framework, including prioritized actions to increase women’s meaningful participation The detailed request for proposal document for this assignment can be downloaded from this link : https://smartafrica.org/job/request-for-expressions-of-interest-recruitment-of-a-consultancy-firm-for-the-development-of-a-gender-inclusion-strategy-and-action-plan-to-increase-womens-participation-in-ict-policy-making/ The Smart Africa alliance 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 will focus on specific experience of the firm in conducting relevant assignment, years of experience in core business and technical and Managerial capability of the firm. 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” seventh Edition September 2025 setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. Available on: https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/c84273d1b230aeb2b0b8134de5dc8cd7-0290012025/original/Procurement-Regulations-7th-Edition-Sep-2025.pdf In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment as per paragraph 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations. 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 best selection method set out in the world Bank Procurement Regulations. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office from 9AM to 5PM Rwanda Kigali Time. Expressions of interest must be delivered by email to the following email address not later than 31st August 2026 at 5PM Kigali-Rwanda Time. Smart Africa Secretariate 10th floor in Career Center Building, KG 541 ST, Kigali – Rwanda Website: www.smartafrica.org Email: procurement@smartafrica.org and copy to yvonne.umutoni@smartafrica.org PO Box: 4913 Kigali.