Nigeria to Engage Private Investors for Landmark BRIDGE Digital Infrastructure Initiative

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through its Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has formally invited Expressions of Interest from qualified consulting firms to serve as a Transaction Advisor for the ambitious ‘Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth – BRIDGE’ project. This initiative, partially funded by the World Bank, aims to establish an extensive 90,000-kilometer fibre optic network across Nigeria. The project is designed as a Public Private Partnership (PPP), to be executed through a dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) company.

The core responsibility of the selected Transaction Advisor will be to facilitate the successful engagement of private sector investors for the BRIDGE project. This includes crucial tasks such as designing the transaction structure, valuing contributions from potential partners, determining equity allocations within the SPV, and meticulously drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and finalizing all essential financial and commercial project documentation. The ultimate goal is to ensure the project’s financial viability, bankability, and alignment with market standards to attract robust investment and secure long-term financing. The advisory assignment is anticipated to last for six months, concluding once the SPV is successfully formed and capitalized. The detailed Terms of Reference for this role are publicly available for interested parties.

To be considered for this pivotal role, consulting firms must demonstrate significant expertise and experience. The shortlisting criteria require firms to be financial advisory entities with a minimum of 10 years of experience in infrastructure projects, including at least 5 years specifically in PPPs. Furthermore, prospective consultants must possess a proven track record in financial structuring, modeling, and negotiating project finance documents, alongside specialized expertise in telecommunications, broadband, and fibre optic network projects. The technical and managerial capabilities of the firm will also be assessed, though individual key experts will not be evaluated at this initial shortlisting stage.

Interested consultants are urged to familiarize themselves with the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” (February 2025), particularly paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17, which address potential conflicts of interest. Firms have the option to associate with other entities to strengthen their qualifications, provided they clearly state whether the collaboration is a joint venture or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all partners will bear joint and several liability for the entire contract if selected. The selection of the consultant will be conducted under the Quality and Cost Based Selection method, as outlined in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations. Expressions of Interest, clearly marked ‘Expression of Interest – Nigeria’s Project Bridge – Transaction Adviser – [Company Name]’, must be submitted by August 14, 2025, either via email to Projectbridge@fmcide.gov.ng or in person at the Ministry’s address during specified office hours.