Consultancy services to undertake a needs assessment along the Dar-es- Salaam Corridor and the hinterland in Zambia.

Project: Transport Corridors for Economic Resilience (TRACER)

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

MINISTRY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)

TRANSPORT CORRIDORS FOR ECONOMIC RESILIENCE (TRACER)

Project ID No: P180801

Procurement Reference Number:ZM-MSMED-535867-CS-QCBS

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO UNDERTAKE A SOCIAL-ECONOMIC NEEDS ASSESSMENT ALONG THE KAPIRI MPOSHI TO NAKONDE SECTION OF THE DAR ES SALAAM CORRIDOR IN ZAMBIA AND THE HINTERLAND.

1. The Government of the Republic of Zambia has received funding from the World Bank (WB) to undertake consultancy services to undertake a Socio-Economic Needs Assessment along the Kapiri Mposhi to Nakonde section of the Dar es Slaam Corridor in Zambia and hinterland under the Transport Corridors for Economic Resilience (TRACER) Project. The Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development is implementing the Corridor Oriented Development (COD) component under the TRACER Project. The TRACER Project aims to improve year-round transport and trade connectivity between Zambia and Tanzania and expand economic activity along a selected stretch the Dar-es Salaam Corridor in Zambia.

1. The aim of the COD component is to assess the socioeconomic development opportunities along the corridor and unlock its potential, allowing the study to explore and maximize broader interventions for a greater developmental impact. These include areas that facilitate and complement large public and private investments aimed at increasing production and enhancing regional trade. Possible areas include for example, Agri-business logistics and value chains, tourism, and trade activities. The implementation of activities under this component will be guided by the assessment and will complement to the extent possible, other Bank-financed projects in the agriculture, tourism and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME)-based industry and trade.

1. The Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, a procuring entity intends to apply a portion of proceeds of these funds to eligible payments under the contract for which this REOI is issued. Payments by the Bank will be made only at the request of the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) and upon approval by the Bank, and will be subject, in all respects, to the terms and conditions of the Financing Agreement for the Transport Corridors for Economic Resilience (TRACER) project.

1. The Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry, the procuring entity, now invites consulting firms ("Consultants") to indicate their interest in providing the required Services.

1. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.
2. The assignment will be completed within 10 and half (10.5) months, which includes the period for the required review and acceptance of the outputs by the Client and the World Bank. The assignment is expected to commence in the fourth (4th) quarter of 2026.

1. The shortlisting criteria include:

• Description of similar assignments previously undertaken in the last five years (should include the year, amounts involved, names of the clients and contact persons);
• Two reference letters from former or existing Clients
• At least 10 years of professional experience in economic corridor development, investment analysis, or business support projects.
• Proven track record in synthesis reporting & strategic recommendations for government ministries or international donors e.g., World Bank, USAID.
• Expertise in policy formulation, strategic recommendations, and integration of gender/youth data.
• Experience with International development projects and corridor development in Africa
• Experience identifying high-impact opportunities in resource sectors.
• At least 8 years of experience in GIS database development, spatial analysis, and interactive mapping tools (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS).
• Experience integrating diverse datasets (economic, demographic, spatial) with GIS for economic visualization.

1. Specific key staff requirements will be considered in the next stage and not during EOI preparation, EOI evaluation and shortlisting.

1. Attention of interested Consultants is drawn to (www.worldbank.org/procurement) Paragraphs 3.14, 3.16 & 3.17 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for Investment Project Financing (IPF) for Borrowers for Goods, Works, Non­ Consultant Services and Consulting Services - July 2016 (revised November 2017, August 2018, September 2023, February 2025 and September 2025) setting forth the World Bank’s Policy on conflict of interest.

1. Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub-consultancy to enhance their qualifications.

1. Further information can be obtained at the address below from 09:00 hours to 12:00 hours and from 14:30 to 16:30 hours, CAT (Zambia) on business days.

1. Expressions of Interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by e-mail) by Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 17:00 hours, Local Time, CAT (Zambia).

1. The Terms of Reference for this assignment can be requested on the emails listed below.

Submission Address:

The Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Small and Medium Development,

Block 28, Independence Avenue P.O Box 50236,

Lusaka, Zambia

Email:Sylvia.sichone@msme.gov.zm copy sabe.mphande@msme.gov.zm and dinnah.thole@msme.gov.zm

Telephone No.: +260211223617 or 0211-256114,

Fax No.: +260211226984