REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Country:
The Republic of The Gambia
Project Name:
Digital Transformation for Africa
/
Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program
(DTfA/WARDIP SOP1)
Project ID: P176932
Assignment Title: The Development of Business Strategy for the National Payment System FPS) Modernization Program in The Gambia
Reference:
WARDIP/C4.8.2/2026/CQS002
Duration of the assignment: Ten (10) weeks .
Date of Issued: 14TH July 2026
Deadline of submission: 31st July
2026
Background:
The Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG), in partnership with GamSwitch, is undertaking the modernisation of the Fast Payment System (FPS) to strengthen the national payments infrastructure and enhance interoperability across the financial ecosystem. This initiative aims to support safe, reliable, and instant payments, thereby advancing financial inclusion and aligning with national financial sector development priorities and international best practices.
GamSwitch, established by the Government of The Gambia through the CBG, serves as the National Payment Switch (NPS), providing shared infrastructure that facilitates seamless transactions among banks, microfinance institutions, mobile money operators, and other payment service providers. However, while GamSwitch operates a business strategy, it does not sufficiently articulate its mandate, value proposition, and long-term sustainability framework. This has resulted in gaps in governance, business model clarity, and stakeholder engagement.
Against this backdrop, the Central Bank seeks a qualified consulting firm with the technical and institutional expertise to provide program management support, implementation assistance, and change management services required to drive the modernization program and the strategic repositioning of GamSwitch.
Objective of the assignment:
The overall objective of this consultancy is as follows:
Development of a Business Strategy for GamSwitch
The attention of interested firms is drawn to paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s "Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers" (July 1st, 2016, revised in November 2017, Augus 2018, September 2023 and 7th Edition Feb 2025). A firm will be selected in accordance with the QUALITY AND COST BASED SELECTION (QCBS ) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
SCOPE OF WORK
The consulting firm shall support the following:
Development Of Business Strategy
Assessment And Diagnostic Review
Mandate And Strategic Positioning
Business Model Development
Strategic Roadmap and Implementation Plan
CONSULTANT’S QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The Central Bank of The Gambia seeks to engage a consulting firm with demonstrated expertise in national payment systems modernization, payment switch operations, and program management support for large-scale digital financial infrastructure initiatives. The firm must have both technical capacity and institutional experience relevant to supporting national financial market infrastructures (FMIs), particularly in emerging markets.
The Consulting firm must:
Have a minimum of 7-10 years of demonstrable experience in:
National Payment System (NPS) modernization projects.
Financial Market Infrastructure (FMI) advisory work.
Deployment or advisory support for Instant/Fast Payment Systems and Interoperability platforms.
Provide evidence of knowledge of international standards and best practices, including:
BIS CPMI / IOSCO Principles for FMIs
ISO 20022 payment messaging standards
AML/CFT compliance frameworks
Data privacy and cybersecurity requirements within financial systems.
Be legally registered and in good standing to conduct consulting services.
Further information and the full TOR can be obtained from the email addresses below during office hours from 08:00 to 16:00 GMT on Mondays to Thursdays and from 0800 to 12:30 GMT on Fridays.
Sent to the Project Coordinator: [email protected]
Attention to the Project Procurement Specialist: [email protected]
Physical Address of the Project:
Digital Transformation for Africa -Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program
C/O Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy
Bertil Harding Highway, Stadium Junction, Bakau, The Gambia, West Africa.
Digital Address (Google Maps): F889+WWH