Consulting Services to undertake a continental diagnostic study on the state of decentralisation and local governance in Africa

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRM SELECTION)

Country: Ethiopia

Name of Project: The Building Institutions and Systems to Harness and Realize Agenda (BIASHARA) 2063 Project

Grant No: P180117

Assignment Title: Consulting Services to Undertake a Continental Diagnostic Study on the State of Decentralisation and Local Governance in Africa

Reference No . ET-AUC-555556-CS-QCBS

The African Union Commission has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of The Building Institutions and Systems to Harness and Realize Agenda (BIASHARA) 2063 Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include to undertaking a continental diagnostic study on the state of decentralisation and local governance in Africa in order to generate evidence-based knowledge that supports governance reforms and strengthens decentralized governance systems across AU Member States.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached to this Request for Expressions of Interest.

The African Union Commission 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 are:

At least 10–15 years of experience in governance research, decentralisation policy, or public sector reform Proven experience conducting multi-country comparative governance studies Experience working / conducting studies with / for multilateral institutions or regional organisations Demonstrated expertise in local governance, decentralisation policy, institutional diagnostics, and public administration reform

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

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” July 2016, revised November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

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 Consultants’ Quality and Cost-based Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

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

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by 13 August 2026 .

African Union Commission, Head of Supply Chain Management Division Building C, 3rd Floor, P.O Box 3243, Roosevelt Street Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tel: +251 (0) 11 551 7700 – Ext 4305

Fax: +251 (0) 11 551 0442; +251 11-551-0430

E-mail: Tender@africanunion.org

TERMS OF REFERENCE

CONSULTING SERVICES TO