Selection of Individual Consultant to Prepare Concept Note for Drafting of Chapter Three (3) of the ECOWAS Regional Economic Outlook.

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
(Consulting Services – Individual Consultant Selection)
Selection of Individual Consultant to Prepare Concept Note for Drafting of Chapter Three (3) of the
ECOWAS Regional Economic Outlook.

From: 04/11/2024 To: 18/11/2024
Reference No: ECW/DRS/PROC/DAGS/EREO-Ch.3/23-10/ss
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in the framework of the execution of its
2024 Budget, intends to apply a portion of the budgeted funds for the Selection of Individual Consultant to
Prepare Concept Note for Drafting of Chapter Three (3) of the ECOWAS Regional Economic Outlook.

2. The Research and Statistics Directorate in the Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture of the
ECOWAS Commission is preparing for the production of the 2024 Edition of the ECOWAS Regional Economic
Outlook (EREO). The theme for the 2024 Edition of the ECOWAS Regional Economic Outlook focuses on
addressing the third pillar of the ECOWAS Management 4×4 Strategic objectives – Economic Integration and
Interconnectivity. As the third strategic orientation of this pillar focuses on intensifying infrastructure development
to enhance regional interconnectivity, its actualization becomes very critical for the consolidation of the free
movement of people and goods to accelerate the region’s integration drive. The focus will therefore be on
Transport and Communication Infrastructure.

3. The consulting services (“the Services”) include both the objectives listed in Item 4 and the deliverables
listed under item 5 below. The duration of the contract shall be for a period of six (6) months based on the
breakdown below:
– Research and data collection: 3 months
– Analysis and report writing: 2 months
– Presentation of findings and recommendations: 1 month

4. The main objective is to produce a volume that addresses the issues related to Transport and
Communication Infrastructure in the ECOWAS Region. This volume will be used as the third chapter of 2024
Edition of the ECOWAS Regional Economic Outlook. The specific Objectives include:
I. Assess the existing transport and communication infrastructure within ECOWAS, including road
networks, railways, ports, airports, and communication networks.
II. Evaluate the impact of transport and communication infrastructure on regional economic integration,
including the facilitation of trade, movement of goods and people, and socio-economic development.
III. Identify the challenges and gaps in transport and communication infrastructure that hinder regional
economic integration.
IV. Recommend strategies and policies to enhance transport and communication infrastructure to promote
regional economic integration.
V. Provide practical and actionable recommendations for ECOWAS member states, and stakeholders
involved in transport and communication infrastructure development and management.

5. The Deliverables of the consultant shall include the submission of the following:
• A comprehensive report presenting the findings of the study, including an overview of the current transport
and communication infrastructure in ECOWAS, its impact on regional economic integration, challenges
and gaps identified, and potential strategies for improvement.
• Actionable recommendations for ECOWAS member states, regional organizations, and stakeholders to
enhance transport and communication infrastructure for better regional economic integration.
• Any additional outputs, such as data analysis, maps, or visual representations, as required.

6. The ECOWAS Commission now invites eligible Individual Consultants and Researchers from ECOWAS
Member Countries (“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

7. The Eligibility criteria for selection are as follows:
I. Citizenship of ECOWAS Member State
• Must be a citizen of ECOWAS Member State
II. Education and Professional Qualifications
• Shall justify having Advanced degree (Doctoral or equivalent) in Economics, Public Policy,
Social/Management Science or related fields.
• Shall justify having Professional certifications or membership of professional bodies in areas relevant to
economic policy analysis.
III. Experience
• Shall justify having a Minimum of 10 years of demonstrated experience in economic policy research and
analysis.
• Shall justify having successfully executed at least two (2) similar assignments in this area of specialization
(drafting economic policies and reports for renowned regional or national entities)
IV. Knowledge and Skills
• Comprehensive understanding of macroeconomic principles and regional economic trends in Consultant’s
country and across the West African region
• Proficiency in econometric methods and statistical analysis tools.
V. Language Proficiency:
• Proficiency (written and spoken) in any one of the official languages of ECOWAS (English, French and
Portuguese) is required.
• Knowledge of the any other ECOWAS Language is an added advantage.

8. The Consultants shall be selected in accordance with the Selection of Individual Consultant set out in the
Consultant Guidelines. Overall, consultants will be assessed based on a combination of their professional
experience, educational qualifications, the quality of their submissions, and evidence of successful past
assignments executed. These criteria aim to ensure that the most qualified and capable consultants from each
country are selected for the assignment.
N.B: ECOWAS Commission is under no obligation to shortlist any Consultant who expresses interest for this
consultancy engagement.

9. The attention of interested Individual consultants is particularly drawn to Article 118 of the ECOWAS
Revised Procurement Code (“Infringements by Candidates, Bidders and Awardees”), providing information
on corrupt or fraudulent practices in competing for or executing a contract. In addition, please refer to the following
specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment as per “Article 119 of the ECOWAS Revised
Procurement Code.

10. Instructions For Submission of EOI: All submitted Expression of Interest should not be more than ten
(10) Pages single-space using 12 Times New Roman font size. To be considered, it MUST include the following:
I. Introduction/Background: Provide vital information on the country’s development profile, a statement of
the research problem and relevance of Outlook to the country.
II. Objective(s): A brief statement of the specific objectives in line with the Terms of Reference.
III. Methodology: A detail explanation on how the research objectives is to be achieved, i.e. methods of analysis,
data collection methodology, sources, and data description
IV. References /Bibliography: provide list of references or bibliography that shows the sources of information.
V. Consultant Profile: Statement of Consultant Qualification and current Curriculum Vitae.
Instructions For Submission of EOI: To be considered, interested Consultant must submit Expression of Interest
that include the following:
I. Introduction/Background: Provide vital information on the country’s development profile, a statement of
the research problem and relevance of Outlook to the country.
II. Objective(s): A brief statement of the specific objectives in line with the Terms of Reference.
III. Methodology: A detail explanation on how the research objectives is to be achieved, i.e. methods of analysis,
data collection methodology, sources, and data description
IV. References /Bibliography: provide list of references or bibliography that shows the sources of information.
V. Consultant Profile: Statement of Consultant Qualification and current Curriculum Vitae.
Please note that the Expression of Interest can be made in any of the three (3) ECOWAS Community Languages
(English, French & and Portuguese)

11. Interested Consultants may obtain further information from the email addresses below during office hours:
Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm (GMT+1).
Email: procurement@ecowas.int; with copy to: sbangoura@ecowas.int; ikkamara@ecowas.int;
kolayiwola@ecowas.int; sshadrach@ecowas.int.

12. Interested Individual Consultants shall express their interest via email by sending the documents listed above
and other relevant supporting documents, no later than November 18th, 2024 at 11am GMT+1 to the
following addresses: procurement@ecowas.int; with copy to: sbangoura@ecowas.int;
ikkamara@ecowas.int; kolayiwola@ecowas.int; sshadrach@ecowas.int. The subject of the Email shall read
‘Selection of Individual Consultant to Prepare Concept Note for Drafting of Chapter Three (3) of the
ECOWAS Regional Economic Outlook’.

Please note that only electronic submissions via email addresses indicated above shall be accepted.

13. This REoI and TOR is also published on the ECOWAS website http://www.ecowas.int/doingbusiness-in-ecowas/ecowas-procurement

Prof. Nazifi Abdullahi DARMA
Commissioner, Internal Services