Description
At the request of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the AfDB has been invited to support the design and financing of the Digital Value Chain Infrastructure for Boosting Employment (D-VIBE), also referred to as Project BRIDGE. The project aims to expand Nigeria’s fiber backbone from 35,000 km to at least 125,000 km, making it Africa’s third-longest terrestrial network after Egypt and South Africa. This expansion will address the shortfall in existing infrastructure, which currently meets only one-third of national needs, by extending coverage to underserved and unserved areas.
The main objective of this consultancy is to provide communications, planning, and stakeholder management services in relation to project D-VIBE events. The firm will support the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) and the AfDB in the planning, coordination, and delivery of D-VIBE events by managing event related communications, stakeholder participation, protocol, and engagement before, during, and after each event. The activities must contribute to the implementation of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), published as an Environmental and Social Requirement during project preparation, and must be directly beneficial to AfDB-related financing.
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15.Information Management Technology |
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At the request of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the AfDB has been invited to support the design and financing of the Digital Value Chain Infrastructure for Boosting Employment (D-VIBE), also referred to as Project BRIDGE. The project aims to expand Nigeria’s fiber backbone from 35,000 km to at least 125,000 km, making it Africa’s third-longest terrestrial network after Egypt and South Africa. This expansion will address the shortfall in existing infrastructure, which currently meets only one-third of national needs, by extending coverage to underserved and unserved areas.
The AfDB will support the Government of Nigeria in implementing this national backbone initiative, representing a total investment of USD 2 billion, with the deployment of 90,000 km of fiber optic infrastructure. The main development outcome of the D-VIBE project is to expand equitable access to affordable, high-speed broadband across Nigeria accelerating digital inclusion, improving public service delivery and inclusion, reducing gender gaps and rural-urban inequalities and unlocking productivity in key sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, commerce, and governance.
The main objective of this consultancy is to provide communications, planning, and stakeholder management services in relation to project D-VIBE events. The consultancy will support the Client in the planning, coordination, and delivery of D-VIBE events by managing event related communications, stakeholder participation, protocol, and engagement before, during, and after each event. The activities must contribute to the implementation of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), published as an Environmental and Social Requirement during project preparation, and must be directly beneficial to AfDB-related financing.
The specific objectives are to:
1. Support the implementation of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan.
2. Support the planning and organisation of D-VIBE events, including agenda development, logistics coordination, and scheduling.
3. Provide event-based communications support, including media coordination and dissemination of Client approved information relating to events.
4. Manage stakeholder participation at events, including invitations, confirmations, protocol, and on-site engagement.
5. Support effective on-site delivery and post-event reporting for D-VIBE events. |
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The scope of work includes, but is not limited to, the following tasks:
GENERAL
• Stakeholder Mapping and Analysis - Identify and map key stakeholders relevant to D-VIBE, including government entities, regulators, development partners, private sector participants, potential investors, industry associations, civil society organisations, and community representatives.
• Support the Implementation of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan – Ensure the effective execution of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan by facilitating structured, inclusive, and timely engagement with relevant stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. Strengthen stakeholder buy-in to support successful project implementation.
• Media Engagement - Provide guidance on media engagement, public announcements, and reputation management in alignment with government protocols and development partner requirements.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Feedback Mechanisms - Propose indicators and tools to monitor the effectiveness of stakeholder engagement and communications activities, including mechanisms for capturing and responding to stakeholder feedback.
PRE-EVENT PHASE
A. Event Planning & Coordination
The Consultant shall support the planning and coordination of D-VIBE stakeholder events, including:
• Development of event concepts and formats aligned with D-VIBE objectives and stakeholder engagement goals.
• Design of detailed event agendas, session flows, and schedules, in close coordination with the Client.
• Identification, assessment, and sourcing of suitable venues, including support for contracting and logistical arrangements.
• Preparation of detailed event budgets and ongoing cost control tracking in line with approved budgets.
• Coordination and supervision of service providers and vendors, including audio visual services, interpretation, catering, branding, security, and other logistical suppliers.
B. Media Management (Pre-Event)
The Consultant shall provide media management support in advance of D-VIBE events, including:
• Development of a media engagement plan specific to each event, aligned with the Client’s communications and branding guidelines.
• Preparation and dissemination of media materials, including media advisories, press invitations, and press kits, using content approved by the Client.
• Coordination with print, broadcast, and digital media houses to support event coverage.
• Accreditation, coordination, and management of media personnel attending the event.
• Ensuring alignment of all media-related activities with Client approvals and protocols.
C. Stakeholder Engagement (Pre-Event)
The Consultant shall support stakeholder engagement activities prior to D-VIBE events, including:
• Stakeholder mapping and invitation management based on Client approved stakeholder lists.
• RSVP tracking, confirmation, and follow up to ensure targeted participation.
• Targeted engagement of key stakeholder groups, including:
o Government representatives;
o Development partners;
o Private sector stakeholders; and
o Civil society and community representatives, where applicable.
• Protocol planning and coordination for VIPs and high-level stakeholders.
EVENT DELIVERY PHASE
A. On-Site Event Management
During the delivery of D-VIBE events, the Consultant shall provide onsite event management support, including:
• End to end on site coordination and supervision of event activities.
• Management of registration desks and guest management processes.
• Coordination of audio-visual systems, livestreaming, and interpretation services (where required).
• Time management and adherence to the approved agenda and run of show.
• Support for health, safety, and risk-mitigation measures during the event.
B. Media Management (During Event)
The Consultant shall provide onsite media management support, including:
• Operation of an onsite media desk.
• Coordination of interviews, soundbites, press briefings, and media interactions.
• Oversi |
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The consultancy shall produce the following deliverables, each building on the preceding one and culminating in a consolidated final report:
1. Event Implementation Plan - A concise implementation plan for each event outlining objectives, agenda, logistics, timelines, roles and responsibilities, and an approved budget framework.
2. Inception Report - Detailed methodology, work plan, and stakeholder-engagement approach setting out, amongst other things, proposed media outreach, engagement timelines, etc.
3. Stakeholder Engagement and Invitation Tracker - A stakeholder and invitation tracker capturing invited participants, RSVP status, attendance, and protocol requirements, based on Client-approved stakeholder lists.
4. Media Coverage Report
A brief post-event media coverage summary outlining media reach, visibility, and links to print, broadcast, and online coverage achieved.
5. Stakeholder Participation Report
A short report summarising stakeholder attendance, participation levels, and key engagement outcomes.
6. Final Event Report and Financial Reconciliation
A consolidated final report summarising event delivery, stakeholder and media outcomes, lessons learned, and reconciliation of event costs against the approved budget.
AfDB may request additional deliverables related to the consultancy’s objectives. |
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| D. Duration and Timetable for the Assignment | |
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The consultancy shall be undertaken for a period of six (6) months, commencing on 20 March 2026, and may be renewed subject to the successful implementation of activities and the fulfillment of agreed performance criteria.
The Consultant shall submit a detailed work plan outlining the sequencing and timelines of activities and deliverables. |
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| E. Bank Contribution and Institutional Arrangement | |
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The ICT Operations Division (PITD.2) invites firms to indicate their interest in providing the above-described services. Interested consultants shall provide information on their qualifications and experience demonstrating their ability to undertake this assignment (documents, reference to similar services, experience in similar assignments, etc.). |
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The Consulting Firm will work from Abuja and should be available for coordination with all teams concerned, especially the PIU.
The firm may be required to travel for missions and work-related engagements as needed. The Bank will cover the costs of the required trip/missions if needed and provide per-diem in accordance with rules governing consultant mission travel and with the limitations established in the contract. |
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| G. Essential Specialized Skills/Knowledge/Competencies | |
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The consulting firm shall:
1. Have at least 5 years of proven experience in planning, coordination and delivery of high-level events for corporates, large scale programmes or public sector.
2. Demonstrate a strong track record in managing multi-stakeholder events, including those involving senior government officials, development partners, private sector participants, and the media.
3. Show experience coordinating event related media engagement, including press management and coverage support, in line with client approved messaging and branding.
4. Understanding of the local context and experience in event organization in Nigeria.
5. Demonstrate strong logistics, vendor management, and budget control capability for event delivery.
The firm shall field a multidisciplinary team comprising, at minimum:
• Team Leader / Lead Event Planner
• Event Planning and Logistics Specialist
• Event Communication and Media Relations Specialist
Additional experts may be proposed to strengthen the assignment. |
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The Consultant shall report to the D-VIBE Project Coordinator, PIU, under the supervision of the FMCIDE. They will serve as the primary supervisory authority for day-to-day coordination, approvals, and deliverable validation.
The design of activities must be subject to clearance by both the PIU and the ICT Operations Division (PITD.2) of the AfDB and should be directly beneficial to AfDB related financing.
All reports shall be submitted in English, in editable and PDF formats, and must be logged and accessible both to FMCIDE and AfDB. |
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Consultancy Input Days
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