Tender Description

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA
The Ministry of Finance
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)
Country: Federal Government of Somalia (FGS)
Name of the Project: Somalia Productive, Resilient and Inclusive Growth Project
(SPRING),
Assignment Title: Develop Somalia’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2027–2031
Project ID: P501662
Deadline for submission
of EOI 5
th September 2026 4:00pm
Individual/Firm: firm Selection
Ref No. SO-MOF-555945-CS-CQS

1. Background
   In May 2025, the Federal Republic of Somalia, through the Ministry of Finance, launched the
   Somalia Productive, Resilient, and Inclusive Growth (SPRING) Project. The project development
   objective is to promote private sector led growth and  job creation by improving the businessenabling environment, strengthening the financial system, and enhancing access to finance.
   The SPRING Project is organized around four main components: (i) improving the enabling
   environment for the private sector; (ii) deepening financial sector reforms and strengthening
   institutional capacity; (iii) enhancing access to finance and resilience for Micro, Small and
   Medium Enterprises; and (iv) supporting project management and coordination.
   Under the SPRING Project, a wide range of reform activities will be implemented to achieve the
   project development objective. These include improvements to regulatory and institutional
   frameworks, the rollout of the national digital identification system, financial sector reforms, the
   establishment of risk-sharing mechanisms, and the provision of business development services to
   MSMEs in selected economic sectors, among other priority interventions.
   The Ministry of Finance has received US$105 million from the World Bank, including US$10
   million from the Somalia Multi Partner Fund, to implement the SPRING Project. As part of
   Component 2, which focuses on deepening financial sector reforms and strengthening institutional
   capacity, the Ministry of Finance intends to apply part of the proceeds to support the Central Bank
   of Somalia in developing Somalia’s first National Financial Inclusion Strategy for the period
   2027–2031.
2. Responsibilities: The purpose of this assignment is to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based,
   gender-responsive NFIS (2027-2031) for Somalia that expands access to and usage of formal financial
   products and services, including a detailed costed action plan, institutional and governance framework, an
   integrated SMART targets and MEL framework, a Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy,
   and a knowledge transfer and capacity-building programme for the CBS NFIS team. All other specific
   tasks detailed in the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website
   link: https://centralbank.gov.so/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Somalia-NFIS-ToR-2027-2031.pdf
3. Duration: The firm is expected to complete the proposed assignment within 9 Months.
4. The Ministry of Finance 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 (brochures, description of
   similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.).
   The shortlisting criteria are as follows:
   I. Core business of the firm: at least 8 years of institutional experience in financial sector
   development, financial inclusion policy, or closely related fields, with particular weight given to
   the direct NFIS/national-strategy experience.
   II. The firm must demonstrate experience in developing National Financial Inclusion Strategies
   (NFIS) or equivalent policy frameworks, with at least three similar assignments in Africa,
   preferably in fragile or post-conflict states. It should also have proven expertise in digital
   financial services, MSME and microfinance, financial regulation, consumer protection, genderresponsive financial inclusion, financial inclusion data and M&E systems, as well as experience
   in knowledge transfer and capacity building for national counterparts.
   III. Experience of relevant services in an environment similar to that of Somalia and
   IV. Technical and managerial organization of the firm (provide only the structure of the
   organization). Do not provide CVs of key staff. Key experts will not be evaluated at the
   shortlisting stage.
5. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to section III, para 3.14,3.16 & 3.17 of the
   World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Projects
   Financing Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services dated in September 2023
   (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
6. 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

Skills Required

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