Selection of Operators for the Provision of High-Speed Digital Connectivity in Rural and Underserved Areas

This contract award pertains to the Burundi Digital Foundations Project, specifically focusing on the provision of high-speed digital connectivity in rural and underserved areas. The procurement method utilized was a Request for Bids (RFB), identified by the reference BI-PAFEN-PIU-1.2.1.2-BIS_NC-RFB. The scope of the contract involves selecting operators to supply this essential digital infrastructure, with this particular award covering Lot 2 of the project. The notification of award was issued on January 5, 2026, with a contract duration of 14 months. The awarded bidder is VIETTEL BURUNDI SA, located in Burundi. The bid price at opening was USD 3,465,000.00, the evaluated bid price was also USD 3,465,000.00, and the signed contract price amounts to USD 6,930,000.00. Beneficial ownership details confirm that Viettel Global, a Vietnamese entity, has direct or indirect control over VIETTEL BURUNDI SA. Two other bidders, ONATEL and UMUCO HOLDING TELECOMS, both from Burundi, were rejected. ONATEL's bid price at opening and evaluated bid price are not specified, while UMUCO HOLDING TELECOMS's evaluated bid price is also not specified. The reason for rejection for both was failure to meet eligibility requirements. This initiative is crucial for bridging the digital divide and enhancing access to information and services in remote regions of Burundi.

This is a supplies contract in the agriculture and food security, information and communication technology and finance and banking sectors, with a focus on Network Infrastructure and Data Analytics. Located in Burundi, Africa, this opportunity is open to firms and consortiums, with an estimated budget of USD 6.9 million.

Published through WB - World Bank, a multilateral development bank that follows standardized international procurement guidelines. Projects funded by multilateral institutions are generally open to international bidders from eligible member countries for the supply of goods in the agriculture and food security sector. Supply contracts typically require bidders to demonstrate product compliance with technical specifications, delivery capacity, and relevant certifications. This contract has already been awarded. The information is published for transparency and market intelligence purposes.