Assistance in study and structuring of Liquidity Enhancement Revolving Fund (LERF) in West Africa (Firm)

Reference No: BJ-WAPP-348040

The West African Power Pool (WAPP) Secretariat, a specialized institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), headquartered in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, has applied financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the WAPP Ghana-Côte d'Ivoire Interconnection Reinforcement Project and Operationalization of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market, and intends to apply part of the proceeds of the Preparation Project Advance for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include an Assistance in study and structuring of Liquidity Enhancement Revolving Fund (LERF) in West Africa (Firm)
The purpose of this assignment is to support WAPP in the study, stakeholder engagement, selection process, design of operational processes, development of an implementation roadmap and operationalization of the Liquidity Enhancement Revolving Fund (LERF).

The selected Consultant will be responsible for identifying and presenting several LERF structure options for discussion with various stakeholders. Based on these consultations, the Consultant will recommend the most suitable structure, assist in identifying potential funding sources including donors, private financiers and financial institutions and develop the fund’s operational procedures. This phase will also include the development of a detailed implementation roadmap. Upon completion of the task, based on the fulfilment of stated condition precedence in the LERF framework implementation will begin with the support of the consultant.

Contractually, the consultancy services support for the LERF is delivered in two phases. The first phase will focus on the analysis, structuring and development of implementation roadmap of the LERF and the second phase will support in the implementation of LERF Fund, including selection of the fund agent and securing commitments and guarantees from financiers and utilities.

The level of effort to be provided is estimated at 28 man-months total for both Phases. The total mission execution period is estimated to be 17 weeks after the contract is signed. The mission is expected to start around July 15, 2025.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be downloaded HERE.

The West African Power Pool (WAPP) 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.

The preselection criteria are:

1. A minimum of 10 years of demonstrable experience in the design, structuring, and implementation of financial mechanisms or credit enhancement facilities or relevant funds, particularly for the infrastructure or energy sectors.
2. Proven track record in setting up guarantee or liquidity support schemes, revolving funds, or similar financial instruments, ideally in emerging or developing markets.
3. Demonstrate experience in coordinating multistakeholder consultations such as governments, regional institutions, banks etc.
4. Experience in executing a minimum of 2 similar assignments in emerging or developing markets related to guarantees and credit schemes.

Regarding the references, only previous similar assignments successfully completed in the last ten (10) years will be considered. Ongoing projects will not be considered. The expression of Interest should be no more than 30 pages A4 format.

Consultants should submit their references with details of the effective activities performed information related to the requirements of the above criteria and the dates of the references. Any reference that does not clearly state this information will not be considered.

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.15, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” ​​Edition February 2025 (“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 clearly indicate 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 liable for the entire contract, if selected.

The Consultants will be selected in accordance with the “Quality and Cost-based Selection” method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained via email addressed to: cchiatula@ecowapp.org with copy to: spos@ecowapp.org ; cpm@ecowapp.org and hdcm@ecowapp.org

Expressions of interest must be submitted in French by December 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (local time in Benin). Expressions of interest must be translated into English by the applicant. In the event of any discrepancy between the two versions, the French version shall prevail.

Expressions of interest must be submitted online only at procurement@ecowapp.org with the mention: : Expression of interest for Assistance in study and structuring of Liquidity Enhancement Revolving Fund (LERF) in West Africa (Firm)

Paper copies will not be accepted and any paper copies sent to the WAPP Secretariat General will be rejected. Proposals received by WAPP after the application deadline indicated above will be rejected.
Applicants will be invited to participate in the opening of the applications received, which will be organized online via Microsoft Teams. The link to join the virtual meeting will be communicated in due course.

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