REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI) (CONSULTING SERVICES)

Consultancy Services for the External Audit of the Financial Statements of the 220KV (400KV) Uganda – DRC Power Interconnection Project (NEPAD IPPF)

The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) is an inter-governmental organization initiated and led by the Nile Riparian countries to promote joint development, protection and management of the common Nile Basin water resources. 

The African Development Bank Group (the Bank) has been supporting the Government of (Republic of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo - DRC) through Nile Basin Initiative (NBI)/ Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP) in its developmental efforts. NELSAP has conducted studies and wishes to carryout financial audit for the project.

The purpose of the audit is to enable the auditors to express an independent opinion on the financial statements of the NELSAP-CU – Uganda – DRC Power Interconnection Project for the period started from 19th October 2020 to 31st December 2025. The audit should also enable the auditors to give an opinion on the compliance with the provisions of the grant agreement and the Africa Development Bank (Donor) rules and procedures in respect to project implementation and management. 

The Auditor shall undertake this engagement in accordance with the Terms of Reference and in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA) promulgated by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and will include such tests and auditing procedures as the external auditor will consider necessary under the circumstances. 

NELSAP now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to express their interest in providing the Services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, and availability of skills among the key staff). The Audit services will be provided by an external, independent and qualified audit firm, with a team of experts for the assignment. The firm should be registered by the relevant regulatory body in Rwanda. Qualified audit firms should have at least 10 years’ experience in the audit of international or regional organizations like NELSAP-CU. 

The key staff should be qualified, experienced and skilled to carry out the audit exercise. The team will comprise, at least: (a) a team leader with at least a Master’s degree and be a member of a recognized accountancy Professional body in auditing/accounting and a minimum of 10 years’ experience in auditing;  (b) an audit manager/financial auditor with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in auditing/accounting and a minimum of 7 years’ experience in auditing; and experience in review of accounts (c) Senior Auditor /Financial Auditor with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in auditing/accounting. He/she should be a fully qualified accountant and a member of a recognized accountancy professional body with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in auditing and (d) A financial auditor with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in auditing/accounting/commerce or relevant degree with at least level II professional accountancy qualifications and a minimum of 3 years audit experience of organizations similar in size and scope to NELSAP-CU.

The Consultant will be selected under the Least-Cost Selection (LCS) procedure. Interested consultants may obtain further information at the email addresses below.

Expressions of interest must be delivered by email at the following address: nelsapprocurement@nilebasin.org by 24th September 2025 at 5:00pm. 

Signed by, 

Eng. Dr. Isaac ALUKWE 

Regional Coordinator- NELSAP-CU