DEADLINE: 5TH FEBRUARY, 2026
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AGENCY (REA)
NIGERIA ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT
ADB LOAN NO.: 200200003401
AGTF LOAN NO.: 5050200000551
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO DEVELOP AND OPERATIONALIZE AN ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (ESMS) FOR THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AGENCY (REA).
REFERENCE NO.: REA-NEP/AFDB/C/LCS/01/2026
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has received financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for a loan towards the cost of Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP). The Rural Electrification Agency, the implementation Agency of the FGN, intends to apply part of the proceeds of this loan to payment under the contract for Consultancy Services to Develop and Operationalize an Environmental and Social Management System for the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). The specific objectives of the assignment include
- Assess REA’s existing systems, institutional capacity, and operational context.
- Develop a comprehensive ESMS Manual with relevant policies, procedures, tools, and templates.
- Deliver capacity-building programs and knowledge transfer to ensure ownership and long-term implementation.
- Align the ESMS with AfDB ISS, World Bank ESF, IFC PS, and other relevant frameworks.
The consulting services (“the Services”) include:
Task 1: Inception and Data Collection
- Conduct a detailed inception meeting and agree on methodology, work plan, and stakeholder engagement approach.
- Identify information needs and establish a data request list from REA and partners.
Output: Submission of an Inception Report and Work Plan
Task 2: Institutional Assessment and Gap Analysis
- Review REA’s institutional mandate, current E&S frameworks, policies, and practices.
- Assess the regulatory and institutional framework governing environmental and social management in REA’s operational context.
- Identify gaps in the existing systems against National and International policies and safeguard systems for MDAs and development partners including but not limited to AfDB ISS, World Bank ESS, and IFC PS.
- Conduct stakeholder consultations with REA departments, implementing/development partners, and project stakeholders.
Output: Submission of a baseline assessment/ update report.
Task 3: Develop the ESMS Framework and Manual
Design a comprehensive ESMS tailored to REA’s operations, including the following components:
Policy and Institutional Framework
- Environmental and Social (E&S) Policy
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and ESG Policy
- Climate Change and GHG Management Policy
- Sustainable Procurement Policy
- Gender Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy
- Data privacy and protection policy
Procedures and Tools
- Environmental and Social Risk Screening and Categorization
- E&S Impact Assessment Procedure
- Supply Chain and Contractor Risk Management Procedure
- Occupational Health, Safety, and Labour Management Procedure
- Hazardous Materials and Waste (including Battery and E-Waste) Management Plan
- Security Risk Assessment and Management Plan
- Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan
- Land Acquisition, Resettlement, and Livelihood Restoration Procedure
- Stakeholder Engagement and Disclosure Procedure
- Gender-Based Violence (GBV), SEA/SH, and Child/forced labour policy
- Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)
- E&S Monitoring, Reporting, and Audit Procedures
Operational and Technical Guidelines
- Land Preparation and Site Drainage Management
- Erosion and Flood Risk Control
- Biodiversity and Ecosystem Protection Measures
- Sustainable Energy and Technical Safeguards Integration
Institutional Integration
- E&S Unit Organogram and Roles and Responsibilities
- Staffing and Budget Framework for ESMS Implementation
- Internal and External Communication and Reporting Protocols
- Procedures for ESMS Performance Review and Continuous Improvement
Output: Draft ESMS Manual with policies, SOPs, templates, checklists, and tools. Ensure the ESMS is practical, scalable, and adaptable to REA’s rural electrification projects, including renewable energy and off-grid solutions.
Task 4: Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer
- Develop and implement a training program for REA staff, PMU, and key stakeholders.
- Prepare a comprehensive Training Manual and ESMS Implementation Guide
- Output: Training Manual, Slides, Resources and capacity building report
Task 5: Validation and Finalization
- Submit the draft ESMS (in editable format) to REA and key stakeholders.
- Process the public disclosure of the ESMS with the Federal Ministry of Environment.
- Incorporate feedback and finalize the ESMS.
- Submit a final ESMS manual, user guide, and training materials in editable formats.
Output: Final ESMS manual, user guide, and training materials
The implementation period for the assignment is 16 weeks.
The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following web site: www.rea.gov.ng
The Rural Electrification Agency- AfDB Project Management Unit (REA-AfDB PMU) now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing these Services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.). Consultants may constitute joint-ventures to enhance their chances of qualification.
Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.
The shortlisting criteria are:
- The Consulting firm should have a minimum of ten (10) years of working experience in the environment, power, and engineering fields.
- The consultant should also have relevant experience working with international development institutions, such as the African Development Bank and the World Bank, among others. Such experience will be an added advantage.
- Knowledge of the African Development Bank’s operational safeguards and experience in similar operations are essential.
- Experience in developing ESMS frameworks for public institutions or utilities will be a distinct advantage
- The firm shall utilize highly qualified experts for the assignment (Key experts will not be evaluated at this shortlisting stage, however, evidence of having access to these experts and the organization’s organogram shall be considered at this stage).
Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s procurement framework for group funded operations, October 2015. www.afdb.org
Interested Consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours i.e. 0900 to 1700 hours.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form (hardcopy), in a sealed envelope (along with a softcopy in a flash drive) with the inscription “EOI: Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) for the REA” to the address below on or before Thursday 5th February 2026.
The Expression of Interest (EOI) to be addressed as follows:
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AGENCY (REA) AFDB-NEP
Attn: Mr. Taiwo Olawoyin – Senior Procurement Specialist,
The Centurion,
15th Street, Constitution Avenue,
Central Business District,
Abuja, Nigeria.
Tel: +234 803 388 0180
E-mail: afdbnep.procure@rea.gov.ng
Website: www.rea.gov.ng
