REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI) for Consultancy service to conduct Strategic Plan for National Payment System (NPS) – Somalia

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: Consultancy service to conduct Strategic Plan for National Payment System
(NPS) – Somalia
Project ID: P501662
Deadline for submission
of EOI 8
th August 2026 4:00pm
Individual/Firm: firm Selection
Ref No. SO-MOF-543502-CS-QCBS

1. Background: In May 2025, the Federal Republic of Somalia, through its Ministry of Finance (MoF)
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 components (three mutually reinforcing and one supporting):
(i) Component 1: Improving the enabling environment for the private sector; (ii) Component 2: Deepening
financial sector reforms and strengthening institutional capacity; (iii) Component 3: Enhancing access to
finance and resilience for MSMEs; and (iv) Component 4: Project Management. A wide range of activities
will be implemented as part of this project to reach its development objective, such as improvements to
regulatory/institutional frameworks, the rollout of the digital ID system, financial sector reforms, the
creation of a risk-sharing mechanism, and the provision of business development services for micro, small
and medium enterprises in select economic sectors, among others.
The MoF received US$105 million from the World Bank, including US$10 million from the Somalia MultiPartner Fund to implement the SPRING project. As part of this initiative Deepening financial sector
reforms and strengthening institutional capacity, MoF intends to apply part of the proceeds from the World
Bank to finance the Consultancy Service to conduct Strategic Plan National Payment System (NPS) –
Somalia. (firm)
2. Responsibilities: The purpose of this assignment is to engage a qualified consulting firm (“Consultant”)
to Develop a five-year strategic roadmap for modernizing Somalia’s NPS.: Strengthen DPI to enhance
interoperability, accessibility, inclusiveness, and resilience: Align the NPS with BIS PFMIs, ISO 20022,
and other global benchmarks: Support regional integration through harmonization with EAC and other
frameworks: Incorporate innovations such as instant payments, open APIs, digital identity, and advanced
risk management: Improve safety, efficiency, and robustness of the payment ecosystem: Provide actionable
recommendations on governance, risk management, operations, and regulatory compliance. 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/wpcontent/uploads/2026/07/TOR_NPS_Strategic_Roadmap_Consultant_Firm_Somalia-1.pdf
3. Duration: The firm is expected to complete the proposed assignment within 12 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 10 years' experience in payment systems, financial sector
reforms, or Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
II. Specific experience in successfully implementing similar assignments. (Proven track record of
previous similar experiences of successfully completing at least one (preferably two) assignment
involving the development of National Payment System strategies, payment system
modernization roadmaps, or similar financial market infrastructure strategies for central banks,
financial regulators, or equivalent institutions) Proven expertise in BIS PFMIs, ISO 20022,
instant payments, interoperability, financial inclusion, cybersecurity, and payment system
governance. The Consultant shall provide the name and contact address of the Client (office and
e-mail address and telephone number), date(s) of execution, name (s) of lead and associate firms,
contract amount, and financing sources.
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
7. A Consultant will be selected under the Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) method set
out in the Procurement Regulations. 

Interested Consultants may obtain further information (in person or by e-mail) at the address
below during office hours from 8.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Saturday to Thursday except on public
holidays.
9. Deadline for submission: Expressions of interest should be delivered in a written form to the
address below (in person, or by e-mail) by 8th August 2026 4:00pm
Attention; Project Coordinator
SCALED-UP Project
Ministry of Finance
Federal Government of Somalia
Shangani District, Mogadishu, Somalia
Email Address: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]