African Development Bank: Institutional Capacity Building for Water and Sanitation Utilities Management in West Africa

The African Development Bank has issued a procurement call for institutional capacity building for water and sanitation utilities management in West Africa, with a deadline of September 30, 2026. This initiative is part of the AfDB's strategic focus on enhancing the performance and sustainability of water utilities in the region. West Africa faces severe water and sanitation challenges, with rapid urbanization straining existing infrastructure, high levels of non-revenue water, and weak financial management leading to poor service delivery. The capacity-building program aims to address these issues by strengthening the operational, financial, and governance capacities of water utilities across multiple countries. The scope of work includes conducting diagnostic assessments of utilities, designing and delivering tailored training programs, providing technical assistance for implementing improvements, and supporting policy and regulatory reforms. The program emphasizes gender equality, climate resilience, and the use of digital technologies. The target audience includes national water utilities, municipal water departments, and regulatory agencies. The procurement is open to international consulting firms, NGOs, academic institutions, and consortia with proven experience in water sector capacity development. Successful bidders will be expected to demonstrate a deep understanding of the West African context, including linguistic diversity (English and French), political economy dynamics, and cultural sensitivities. They will need to propose innovative, evidence-based approaches that are scalable and sustainable. The AfDB also expects robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track progress and report on key performance indicators. This call represents a significant opportunity for organizations with expertise in water utility reforms to contribute to the achievement of SDG 6 and improve the lives of millions in West Africa. GSLI offers relevant training courses, such as WASH, Project Management for Development, and Monitoring & Evaluation, to help bidders enhance their capacity and competitiveness.

This call is specifically designed for organizations with demonstrated expertise in institutional capacity building for water and sanitation utilities in developing countries, particularly in West Africa. Eligible entities include international consulting firms, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic and research institutions, private sector training providers, and consortia with complementary strengths. The ideal applicant should have a minimum of 10 years of experience in water and sanitation sector reforms, with at least five successfully completed projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. They must possess in-house expertise in utility management, financial modeling, tariff design, asset management, gender and social inclusion, climate adaptation, and organizational change management. Language proficiency in both English and French is mandatory, as the program covers Anglophone and Francophone West African countries. Additionally, bidders should have a strong local presence or partnerships with regional entities to ensure contextual relevance and sustainability. The AfDB prioritizes organizations that can demonstrate a track record of working with public utilities, regulators, and local governments, and that have established relationships with regional bodies such as ECOWAS and the West African Water and Sanitation Network. Financial stability is crucial, with annual revenues exceeding $10 million or equivalent, and a proven ability to manage multi-million dollar donor-funded projects. The procurement also encourages participation from African-owned firms and gender-balanced teams, reflecting the AfDB's commitment to local capacity and inclusivity. Organizations must also comply with the bank's procurement policies, including debarment checks and adherence to ethical standards.

The African Development Bank's global priorities, as articulated in its Ten-Year Strategy (2024-2033) and High 5s, heavily emphasize transformative projects that drive inclusive growth, green transition, and regional integration. For this capacity-building initiative, the donor's key investment KPIs include: (1) measurable improvement in utility operational efficiency, targeting at least a 20% reduction in non-revenue water within three years; (2) increased financial viability of utilities, measured by improved cost recovery ratios exceeding 80%; (3) enhanced service coverage, aiming for a 15% increase in access to safely managed water and sanitation services in project areas; (4) strengthened governance frameworks, including the adoption of performance-based contracts and independent regulatory oversight; (5) gender and social inclusion, ensuring at least 30% of beneficiaries are women and that vulnerable populations are specifically addressed; (6) climate resilience integration, with utilities incorporating climate risk assessments into their asset management plans. The AfDB also prioritizes cross-cutting themes such as job creation for youth, digitization of utility operations, and knowledge management. The bank expects bidders to align their proposals with national development plans and the SDGs, particularly SDG 6 and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Additionally, the donor values innovation in financing models, such as blended finance or results-based financing, to ensure long-term sustainability beyond the project period. The capacity-building interventions must be scalable and replicable across the region, with a strong emphasis on monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems that generate evidence for policy advocacy. The AfDB's strategic priority is to create a cadre of well-trained utility managers who can lead reforms and attract further investments in the water sector.

Eligibility for this AfDB procurement is governed by strict financial, spatial, and corporate legal requirements. Financially, bidders must demonstrate a minimum average annual turnover of $5 million over the last three years, with positive net worth and audited financial statements. They must provide bank guarantees or bid bonds as specified in the tender documents. Spatial requirements dictate that the capacity-building activities must be implemented across at least three West African countries, with a preference for covering both coastal and Sahelian states to address diverse challenges. The bidder must have a physical presence or legal registration in at least one African country, or a partnership with a local entity that satisfies local content requirements. Corporate legal compliance requires the bidder to be a legally registered entity with relevant business licenses and tax clearances. They must not be debarred or suspended by the AfDB or any other multilateral development bank. Additionally, the bidder must have a documented anti-corruption policy, gender equality policy, and environmental and social safeguards framework. The proposal must include a detailed organizational structure, with CVs of key personnel who have at least 15 years of experience each in relevant fields. Consortia are allowed but must designate a lead partner with authority to bind the group. Subcontracting is limited to 30% of the total contract value. Bidders must also comply with the AfDB's procurement rules, which require competitive tendering and transparent processes. The eligibility also extends to not-for-profit organizations if they can demonstrate commercial viability in delivering capacity-building services. All documentation must be submitted in French or English, with certified translations if necessary. Non-compliance with any of these criteria will result in disqualification, so bidders must meticulously verify their eligibility before for submission.

To secure this AfDB capacity-building contract, organizations should follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI training to enhance their proposal competitiveness and delivery capacity. Step 1: Conduct a comprehensive pre-proposal assessment. Assemble a multidisciplinary team with expertise in water utility management, financial analysis, gender, and climate. Use GSLI's 'Project Management for Development' course to train staff on results-based management and logical framework approaches, ensuring your proposal structure aligns with AfDB's requirements. Conduct a rapid needs assessment of at least three candidate utilities in West Africa, using a standardized diagnostic tool that covers operational performance, financial health, and governance gaps. This baseline will inform your intervention design and demonstrate your technical rigor. Step 2: Develop a robust technical proposal with a strong theory of change. Structure your intervention around four pillars: (a) utility performance improvement, (b) commercial viability enhancement, (c) governance and regulatory strengthening, and (d) gender and climate mainstreaming. Incorporate GSLI's 'WASH' and 'Monitoring & Evaluation' course frameworks to design context-specific training modules and M&E plans. Ensure your proposal includes a detailed work plan with milestones, a staffing plan with qualified experts, and a budget that reflects cost-effectiveness. Emphasize sustainability by including a phase-out strategy that transfers skills to local trainers and utility staff. Step 3: Strengthen your institutional capacity through GSLI courses. Enroll key personnel in 'Financial Management for NGOs' and 'Procurement & Supply Chain' to ensure compliance with AfDB's financial and procurement guidelines. This training will also help in designing financial management information systems for utilities. Additionally, take the 'Writing Winning Proposals' course to refine your narrative and align with donor expectations. Step 4: Engage in strategic partnerships and stakeholder consultations. Form a consortium with local utilities, regulatory bodies, and research institutions to enhance local ownership and credibility. Use GSLI's 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' course to structure a co-financing arrangement with other donors or private sector partners, demonstrating sustainability. Conduct pre-bid meetings with AfDB task managers and participate in any tender workshops. Finally, submit a polished proposal that presents a clear, evidence-based approach with measurable outcomes. Post-submission, continue capacity building through GSLI's 'Grants Management' course to prepare for effective project implementation if awarded.