Consultancy Services for Carbon Project Development and Implementation

**Project:** Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation in Malawi

REPUBLIC OF MALAWI

MINISTRY OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AFFAIRS

 REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES –FIRM SELECTION)

Country:  Malawi

Project Name     :ASCENT Malawi Project

Project Number :P502464

Assignment Title: Consultancy Services for the Design, Development and Implementation of Carbon Mitigation and Carbon Financing Activities in the Energy Sector

Reference No. :  MW-MOE.-550566-CS-QCBS

EOI Issue Date :  3rd August 2026

This request for expression of interest follows the General Procurement Notice for this Project that appeared in the United Nations Development Business (UNDB) on 31st January 2025.

The Government of the Republic of Malawi through the Ministry of Energy has received financing from the International Development Association (IDA) and Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) towards the cost of implementing the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation in Malawi (ASCENT Malawi) Project. It is intended that part of the proceeds of the financing will be used to cover eligible payments under the contracts for Consultancy services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) intent is to engage a qualified consulting firm to provide consultancy services to the Ministry of Energy (MOE), for the design, development and implementation of carbon mitigation and carbon financing activities in the energy sector, with a pilot for clean cooking solutions (CCS), in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. The firm consultant will provide analytical, advisory and process support including preparing required documentation to (i) support the GOM quantifiably determine the potential for emission reductions (ERs) in its current and potential energy sector investments, and the potential for generating, certifying and monetizing the ERs, across multiple technologies, scales and types; and (ii) pilot an ERs (sub)activity for clean cooking solutions under ASCENT Malawi completing full carbon financing cycle(s).

The assignment will cover the entire energy sector including at individual project levels such as ASCENT Malawi where the GOM seeks to raise carbon finance under Components 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Project.

The objective of the assignment is to support the Government of Malawi, particularly the Ministry of Energy, in the design, development, operationalization, and implementation of carbon mitigation and carbon financing activities within the energy sector.

The scope of work under this assignment shall include the following, but not limited to:

• Carbon Financing Modalities and Framework Development
• Carbon Mitigation Activity Design and Registration
• Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV)
• Carbon Credit Issuance and Commercialization
• Clean Cooking Carbon Finance Pilot
• Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement

The detailed Terms of Reference (TORs) for the assignment can be found at the following websites: Ministry of Energy and Mining (https://energy.gov.mw/resources/), Ngwee Ngwee Ngwee Fund (https://www.nnnf.energy.gov.mw/resources/) and ASCENT Malawi Project (https://www.ascent.mw/resources/) or upon request through the following email address amopiha@ascent.mw copy to info@ascent.mw and austin.theu@energy.gov.mw. All requests for clarification should be sent through above emails, and the Client will respond to the requested clarifications.

The MoE 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 shortlisting criteria are as follows:

1. Core business of the firm(s) and years in business of not less than Seven (7) years
2. Relevant similar experience, which should specifically include the below:

• Experience in, and understanding of, the renewable energy and clean cooking market in sub-Saharan Africa, with preference for experience in East or Southern Africa;
• Demonstrated experience applying household energy or clean cooking carbon methodologies under any of the following: Verra VM0050 or predecessor VMR0006 and VMR0011; Gold Standard TPDDTEC; Gold Standard Improved Cook Stove methodology; CDM AMS-II.G; GCCNMT016; or CLEAR Methodology;
• Experience preparing PoAs and/or PDDs for clean cooking or energy access projects, of which at least two PoAs were successfully registered;
• Demonstrated experience in successful registration of carbon projects under recognized standards (e.g., VCS, Gold Standard, CDM, Article 6), preferably including programmatic approaches such as PoAs
• Proven experience with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, including knowledge of Corresponding Adjustments, NDC accounting, and Letter of Authorisation processes;
• Proven experience conducting KPT, CCT, and WBT tests, and designing statistical sampling frameworks for carbon projects at scale;
• Experience with digital MRV systems and data integration, including familiarity with DMRV or equivalent dMRV platforms;
• Experience structuring, drafting and reviewing contract documentation, and providing advisory support, on carbon credit commercialisation transactions;
• Experience managing validation, verification, and issuance cycles with accredited VVBs; and
• Experience working with governments or development partners on energy access and carbon monetization activities in Africa

3. Technical and managerial capability of the firm (provide only the structure of the organization, general qualifications, and number of key staff. Do not provide CVs of the staff. Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage).

This Request for Expressions of Interest is open to all eligible firms as defined in the World Bank's Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (July 2016, as revised November 2017, August 2018, September 2023 and February 2025). Firms declared ineligible by the World Bank Group in accordance with the Bank's guidelines on Preventing and Combating Fraud and Corruption in Projects Financed by IBRD Loans and IDA Credits and Grants are not eligible to participate.

Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a Joint Venture (JV) or sub-consultancy to strengthen their qualifications. In the case of a JV, firms should indicate clearly the lead firm and also 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 Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Interested firms are requested to submit an Expression of Interest containing the following information:

• Firm Profile: Organization name, legal status, country of registration, year of establishment, core business, and contact details.
• Relevant Experience: Description of at least three (3) similar assignments completed in the last ten (10) years, including client name, project title, contract value, duration, and role of the firm. Reference contacts must be provided.
• Approach and Methodology: A brief outline of the proposed approach to the assignment (maximum 3 pages).
• Key Staff: Names and brief biography (maximum 2 pages each) of proposed key experts, demonstrating their qualifications and relevant experience. Do not provide full CVs of the staff.
• Statement of Availability and Commitment: Signed declaration of the firm's availability and commitment to execute the assignment.
• Joint Venture Agreement (if applicable): A Letter of Intent to form a JV or sub-consultancy, signed by all parties.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 8:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00 hour’s local time Monday to Friday, Except National Holidays.

Expressions of Interest must be submitted in either electronic or hard copy formats no later than the 14th September 2026.

Electronic submission (PDF format) to: amopiha@ascent.mw (primary) with copy to info@ascent.mw and austin.theu@energy.gov.mw.

Hard copy submission addressed to:

IPDC Chairperson

Ministry of Energy – ASCENT MW Project

Area 47 Sector 5, House No. 66

P/Bag 309, Lilongwe 3, Malawi

Late submissions will not be considered. The MoE reserves the right to accept or reject any Expression of Interest and to annul this process at any time without incurring any liability.

The firms that will submit their EOI via e-mail must get confirmation of the receipt of their documents. In case the firm does not receive acknowledgement within two days of after sending the documents via email, they should call +265 888 870 806 or +265 999 138 270 for follow-up.

The Chairperson of Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee

Ministry of Energy

ASCENT Malawi Project

Area 47, Sector 5, House No. 66

Private Bag 309, Lilongwe 3

Malawi

E-mail: amopiha@ascent.mw

Copy:  info@ascent.mw  and austin.theu@energy.gov.mw