The Africa Finance Corporation (the “Grantee” or “AFC”) invites submission of qualifications and proposal data (collectively referred to as the “Proposal”) from interested U.S. firms that are qualified on the basis of experience and capability to execute a Technical Assistance (the “TA”) involving an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (“ESIA”) which will inform the construction of a greenfield rail line from Angola to Zambia (the “Project”). The Proposal submission deadline is October 11, 2024 at 5:00 PM West Africa Standard Time, (noon EDT), and the deadline for any questions or enquiries related to the submission is September 20, 2024.The U.S. firm selected will be paid in U.S. dollars from a $1,990,000 grant to the AFC from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.
About the Grantee
AFC was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for pragmatic infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa. AFC’s approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development, and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth.
Seventeen years on, AFC has invested in and delivered on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has 43 member countries and has invested US$13 billion across Africa since inception.
Project Background
The Project is a 780-kilometer greenfield rail line (“Zambia – Lobito Rail” or “ZLR”) connecting the Lobito rail line in Luacano, Angola, to the existing Zambia Railways Line in Chingola, Zambia. Once fully developed, ZLR will provide primary open access transportation infrastructure connecting Zambia and Angola, promote investment in an underdeveloped agro- ecological zone to support global food security, secure an open access trade route for critical minerals, and provide opportunities to boost intra-African trade and general economic growth.
About the Technical Assistance
The objective of the TA is to conduct an ESIA to support the development and analyze the environmental and social impact of a 780-kilometer greenfield rail line expansion connecting the existing Angolan portion of the Lobito Corridor with the Zambia Railways Line in Chingola, Zambia. The ESIA includes an Environmental and Social Studies and Analysis (“E&S”), which assesses the areas directly impacted by the Project, and an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report (“E&S Report”), which assesses each of the factors identified in the E&S and Specialty Studies to ensure alignment with national legislation, international conventions ratified by Angola and Zambia, as well as applicable national and international standards. If required, the TA would develop a resettlement action plan and a Livelihoods Restoration Plan. It will also include an Environmental and Social Management Plan and a Climate Resilience Analysis.