Request for expression of interest (consulting services) for the elaboration of the “ sustainable market access for african road transport” (SMART ) study report

Request for expression of interest (consulting services) for the elaboration of the “ sustainable market access for african road transport” (SMART ) study report

 

 

 

African development bank

Infrastructure and urban development department (picu)

01 BP 1387 Abidjan – Avenue Jean Paul II, Abidjan Plateau, Côte d’Ivoire

Descrpiption:

1. The African Development Bank (AfDB) is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting the economic growth and social progress across the continent. The Bank delivers financial and technical supports to regional member countries (RMCs) through transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty and bring inclusive and sustainable economic growth. In order to sharply focus the objectives of the Ten Year Strategy (2013 – 2022) and ensure greater developmental impact, five major areas (High 5s) have been identified for scaling up and accelerate the Bank’s delivery, namely; energy, agro-business, industrialization, integration and improving the quality of life for the people of Africa. The transport sector is a key focus area for the Bank within the High 5s.
2. Africa’s economic development partly depends on reduction of trade transaction costs, which are currently unacceptably high. The cost of Transport and particularly in the road subsector is a major contributor to the problem as road transport accounts for 80% of freight traffic and 90% of passenger traffic. Often transport costs account more than one fourth of the product value, which decreases competitiveness of African exports and raises import consumer prices especially in the hinterland.
3. One of the underlying factors is the inefficiency of road transport caused by over regulation of market access, mainly through freight sharing schemes (including queuing) which are very costly. and common in Africa. Road carriers are typically allowed to operate only between the countries of export and import based on bilateral agreements. These agreements usually include a formula or quota on how many trips may be performed by carrier from each country. A common source of inefficiency stems from the fact that market access to a third country is denied even when it is operationally beneficial. As a result, carriers must transport either export or import leg of the trip empty and allocate all the cost of the transport trip to the single leg that is “paid for”. The expense from the unused opportunity of collecting cargo from/to a third country is paid by trader, who has to pay for the cost of the whole trip added by the profit margin of the transport operator. Furthermore, this freight sharing schemes also encourage vehicle overloading and use of second-hand vehicles.
4. The challenge is to convince all the stakeholders that better market access and thereby greater operational efficiency would benefit everyone. Consequently, the vicious circle empowered by low efficiency, high logistics costs and low volumes would gradually be broken. The Study will aim at promoting high-level dialogue to support the liberalization of international road freight transport market in Africa. It will point out the assumedly significant potential of increasing the efficiency of road transport operations, and consequently, result savings for freight forwarders and eventually for end consumers.
5. The African Development Bank is therefore seeking the services of a consulting firm with qualifiedprofessionals for the elaboration of the SMART Study Report “SUSTAINABLE MARKET ACCESS FOR AFRICAN ROAD TRANSPORT”. The study will examine the market access systems for international road freight transport in Africa and will propose innovative models for introducing a multilateral access license quota system for international road freight transport in Africa. Moreover, the report will propose a methodology to assess corridor management and performance in Africa. The estimated duration of the services is four months.

6. The Infrastructure and Urban Development Department (PICU) now invites consulting firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, evidence of joint venture if applicable etc.).
7. Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s Rules and Procedures for the uses of Consultant, May 2008 edition, revised July 2012, which is available on the Bank’s website at http://www.afdb.org. The Bank is under no obligation to shortlist any consulting firm who expresses interest.
8. Expression of Interest shall be submitted electronically in English and/or in French indicating Expressions of Interest for the Consultancy Services for “The Elaboration of the SMART Study

Report “ SUSTAINABLE MARKET ACCESS FOR AFRICAN ROAD TRANSPORT”

9. Interested consulting firms may obtain further information at the address indicated below during the Bank’s working hours; 0800hrs – 1700hrs, Monday to Friday.
10. Expressions of Interest shall be submitted, no later than Tuesday 4^th June 2019 to the address below:

African Development Bank Group

Infrastructure and Urban Development (PICU)

Office 22W, Immeuble CCIA, Avenue Jean Paul II, Plateau 01 BP 1387 Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

• +225 2026 4538 To the attention of:

Jean Kizito KABANGUKA, Transport and Logistics Division Manager

Email:     j.kabanguka@afdb.org

Copy to: l.ehouman@afdb.org

y.ilboudo@afdb.org