SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (SADC) SECRETARIAT
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES -FIRM)
PROJECT NAME: THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (SADC) TRADE AND TRANSIT FACILITATION PROJECT (STTFP)
SADC/3/5/2/415
FINANCING AGREEMENT REFERENCE: 2100155042616
PROJECT ID NO.: P-Z1-K00-127
DATE: 1 August 2025
1. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat has received financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB) through the African Development Fund (ADF) financing window towards the cost of the THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (SADC) TRADE AND TRANSIT FACILITATION PROJECT and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this grant to payments under the contract for CONSULTANCY TO PROVIDE AUDIT SERVICES FOR THE TRADE AND TRANSIT FACILITATION (TTFP) PROJECT IN SADC REGION.
2. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade and Transit Facilitation Project is aimed at facilitating the movement of goods and people along the North-South Corridor and at key border posts, whilst supporting the development of railway infrastructure in the region. The main objective is to enhance trade and transport facilitation especially on major corridors and strengthening enforcement capacity of customs and other border agencies in SADC.
3. The specific objectives of this consultancy assignment are to;
a) To obtain reasonable assurance as to whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. The conduct of an audit allows the auditor to express an opinion on whether the financial statements are prepared in all material respects, in accordance with an applicable financial reporting framework.
b) To provide reasonable assurance that the project books of accounts provide the basis for preparation of the Project Financial Statements (PFSs) by the Project/Program Implementing Unit (PIU) and are established to reflect the financial transactions in respect of the project and that the PIU maintained adequate internal controls and supporting documentation for transactions.
c) To enable the auditors to express an independent professional opinion on the financial position of the Project, to assure that the Project funds have been used for their intended purposes and in accordance with the provisions of the Loan/Grant Agreement(s).
d) To obtain reasonable assurance about the achievement of project/program objectives by matching project/programs physical outputs and achievements to funds disbursed and the timing of the flows. The project/program technical report provides sufficient information and data to enable users to fully appreciate project/program achievements.
e) To report on the financial statements and communicate as required by auditing standards in accordance with the auditor’s findings.
The firm shall be recruited to conduct the audit for the period:
(i) from December 2024 to March 2026.
(ii) from April 2026-July 2027
4. The SADC Secretariat now invites eligible consulting firms to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested consulting firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (i.e., Company profile detailing alignment to the assignment, description of similar assignments undertaken, experience in similar conditions and availability of appropriate skills among staff). Consultants may constitute joint-ventures to enhance their chances of qualification.
5. Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s Procurement Policy for the Bank Group-funded Operations”, dated October 2015, which is available on the Bank’s website at: https://www.afdb.org/en/projects-and-operations/procurement/new-procurement-policy. A Consultant will be selected under the Least Cost Selection (LCS) method.
Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours; 08:00 hours to 16:30 hours (Botswana Time).
6. Expressions of interest must be submitted electronically in PDF format and dully signed via this LINK: (https://collab.sadc.int/s/ARpfnKbRSMbLaTx) by midnight Botswana time on 18 August 2025 and should mention the name of the consultancy assignment. “CONSULTANCY TO PROVIDE AUDIT SERVICES FOR THE TRADE AND TRANSIT FACILITATION (TTFP) PROJECT IN SADC REGION”
Interested bidders are encouraged to submit their Expressions of Interest during working hours (08h00 – 16h30 Botswana Time) for support in case there are any technical problems. Expressions of Interest must be submitted as a single file or one zipped folder bearing the name of the applicant.
7. Below is the address for obtaining further information:
Attention: Mr Luckson Mangena
SADC Secretariat
Private Bag 0095, Gaborone, Botswana, Tel: +267 395 1863
Email : lmangena@sadc.int Copy : pshayanowako@sadc.int ; amonteiro@sadc.int
