10003421-Early-stage infrastructure project preparation via the AUDA-NEPAD Service Delivery Mechanism

Description of the scope of works

Targeted technical advisory shall be provided, particularly in the upstream phases of infrastructure project development. This includes the design and deployment of tailored sectoral infrastructure packages that address project-specific needs in close collaboration with the responsible AUDA-NEPAD and GIZ technical teams. Infrastructure project preparation To be provided is early-stage project technical advisory to advance selected energy and non-energy projects with the aim of readying projects for full feasibility studies. For energy, the focus is on sustainable energy projects including (variable) renewable energy and transmission. For other sectors, the focus sub-sectors for these projects are ICT, industrialisation (e.g., industrial parks), transboundary water and/or transportation projects as selected by institutions responsible for regional corridor management (in the Central Corridor and North-South Corridor).

Tasks include:

- Conduct rapid assessments and document review, prepare project profile, readiness diagnostics and confirm that the projects are at a stage for further TA. - Define tailored SDM support packages for each project. - Develop SDM deployment workplans with milestones and roles. - Review enabling policy and regulatory frameworks - Conduct pre-feasibility assessments (technical, land, permitting, market review, commercial viability, financial modelling, etc.) - Supporting engagement with national institutions, regional economic communities (RECs), power pools, and utilities - Identify gaps in projects and propose early-stage interventions. - Undertaking technical studies, as required, e.g., technology selection assessment, grid integration and evacuation concept, preliminary energy yield and deliverability, constructability and CAPEX, and early permitting and land status. - Identify potential institutions that have an interest in the project(s) and align project preparation efforts with their requirements. These institutions should primarily be African or European actors

To enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and credibility of the SDM mechanism in advancing energy projects, an SDM-level review of the applicable processes will be conducted, for energy projects. Based on a sample of energy projects, the review includes:

- Review the SDM energy project portfolio by development stage, technology types, geography, and SOPs - Assess project progression rates - Identify common points of delay, redesign, or attrition. - Assess alignment of SDM outputs with: DFI requirement, investor expectations, and regional and continental energy priorities. - Identify gaps affecting investor confidence and bankability: - Collate proposed updates/refinements to the SDM SOPs as proposed by these actors for implementation by AUDA-NEPAD.

Market sounding and financing sector engagements Structured, targeted engagements between project sponsors and financing institutions - multilateral, bilateral, commercial, and development finance actors - shall be facilitated to improve alignment between early-stage project design and funder expectations, and to accelerate project bankability under AUDA-NEPAD"s SDM framework.

Tasks include:

- Developing a structured marketing sounding framework tailored to the AUDA-NEPAD SDM. - Segmenting financiers by mandate, geographic focus, and risk appetite. - Preparing targeted outreach lists and engagement protocols. - Organising structured market sounding sessions/ "deal rooms" (virtual or in-person). - Facilitating thematic panels, bilateral exchanges, and matchmaking sessions. - Coordinate a market sounding event to be held in Europe, working closely with the Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP), AUDA-NEPAD and/or GIZ, as relevant. - Support project sponsors in preparing funder-aligned pitch decks. - Develop feedback templates to capture funder insights on project readiness, gaps, and interest. - Coordinate post-event follow-ups with interested financiers. - Develop guidance notes and toolkits for future SDM engagements.

Capacity development Capacity development support on technical advisory for infrastructure projects is to be provided. Capacity development is targeted at technical advisors of AUDA-NEPAD, and CCTTFA/ SADC/ Member State representatives responsible for corridors development. Tasks include: - Conduct technical needs assessment and propose capacity building interventions for technical advisors and/or projects owners - Plan and conduct 2x capacity building measures (e.g. trainings, workshops) with the relevant Client and/or Member States. - Establish shadowing between AUDA-NEPAD"s SDM team and contractor"s STE for TA coaching and guidance - Formulate lessons learnt, best practices and principles throughout SDM ESP TA as a basis for strategic decision making and policy making by the Client. - Ad-hoc advisory on a variety of topics related to the project development as requested by the Client. - Contribute to the harmonisation of SDM process and guidelines. - Developing and delivering toolkits, guidelines, training materials and formats to encourage knowledge transfer - Supporting the digitalisation of the updated SOPs and their integration into the newly developed digital SDM platform. (The digital platform development is not a task but input will be required.)