Please read the detailed instructions below. ከስር የተጠቀመጠውን እያንዳንዱን መረጃ በጥንቃቄ ያንብቡ።

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES-FIRMS SELECTION)

Country: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Name of Project: Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP)

Project ID: P180931

Assignment Title: Selecting a consulting firm that Support to the government through technical assistance for establishing an internet Exchange – ECA.

Reference No.: ET-MINT-514101-CS-QCBS

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include Selecting a consulting firm that Support to the government through technical assistance for establishing an internet Exchange -ECA.

1. Introduction

The Government of Ethiopia recognizes that efficient and resilient internet infrastructure is essential for national development, digital transformation, and the growth of the knowledge economy. However, Ethiopia currently relies heavily on international bandwidth and transit providers for domestic internet traffic exchange, resulting in high latency, increased operational costs, and limited control over national data flows. To address these challenges, the Ethiopian government-through the Ministry of Innovation and Technology and the Ethiopian Communications Authority-has prioritized the establishment of an Internet Exchange Point (IXP). This initiative is part of the country’s broader digital development agenda, including efforts to expand connectivity, enhance local content hosting, promote cybersecurity, and stimulate the growth of data-driven services.

2. Objectives

The main objective of this assignment is to provide the Government of Ethiopia with comprehensive technical assistance in the establishment of an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) that is efficient, secure, inclusive, and sustainable.

3. Specific objectives

The specific objectives of this assignment include, but are not limited to, the following activities:

1. Improve Local Internet Traffic Exchange

2. Enhance Network Efficiency and Resilience

3. Strengthen Regulatory and Institutional Capacity

4. Develop a Sustainable Governance Model

5. Support Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building

6. Develop an Implementation Roadmap

7. Strengthen Regional Linkages

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found on the following website: www.dfp.gov.et or can be obtained at the address given below.

Ministry of Innovation and Technology- Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project now invites eligible Consulting firms 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 core business and years in business, relevant experience in the field of assignment, technical and manageriat capability of the firm.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers dated September 2023 (“Procurement Regulation”), 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 QCBS (Quality and Cost Based Selection) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Interested and qualified consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours 08:30 to 12:00 & 14:30 to 17:00, Mondays to Thursdays; and 08:30 to 11:00 & 14:30 to 17:00 on Fridays.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by e-mail) on or before October 7th, 2025.

Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MINT)

Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project

Attn: Focal Person, Project Implementation Unit(PIU)

Address: Arada Sub-city, Tracon Building 6th floor, in front of

Tikur Anbessa Secondary School,

Telephone No.: +251-91 122 9367

/91 181 5731/91 360 3899,

Email address: tessedf@gmail.com , wondwosseny@mintprojects.gov.et and

zayedemoint@gmail.com

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.