The West African sub-region is abundantly endowed with freshwater resources, including rivers, lakes and underground aquifers that cover 71% of the region. It is estimated that the region boasts more than 28 transboundary river basins and 15 of the 80 most important aquifers identified in Africa. The four main river basins - the river Niger, the river Gambia, the river Senegal, and the river Volta - are the most important in the region. The Niger River basin, which stretches 4,200 km from the Guinea Fouta Djalon highlands through 9 countries in West and Central Africa, is the longest. Despite this abundance, water insecurity remains a challenge for the people of the ECOWAS region.

The disparity in the distribution of water resources is a major concern. While coastal regions benefit from abundant rainfall, replenishing numerous multiple water bodies, arid Sahel regions experience little rainfall at an average of less than 200mm per annum, leading to water stress. In coastal areas, the challenge is to develop infrastructure to make efficient use of the abundant water supply and mitigate the environmental problems caused by climate change, such as erosion and flooding. These environmental and social problems often lead to the loss of livelihoods. Conversely, in the arid regions of the Sahel, the main challenge stemming from water insecurity is the efficient management of existing water sources to meet the needs of the local population.

Studies show that there is a vast amount of untapped potential that should be further developed to meet the region's growing demands for energy, water supply, agricultural irrigation, fisheries, tourism, and navigation. One of the main advantages of dams is their ability to facilitate off-season agriculture thanks to the constant availability of water throughout the year. This enables local farmers to grow secondary crops, improving their livelihoods and economic prospects, and encouraging investment in the future for generations to come. West Africa's population is growing rapidly (at an average rate of 2.51% in 2023) and the region’s total population is expected to reach 773 million by 2050, up from 447.5 million in 2024 (UN, 2024). The resulting increase in demand for water, along with the increased spatial and temporal variability of water supply, due to climate change, strengthens the crucial role of dams for flood and drought control, irrigation, domestic water supply, power generation, and the support and strengthening of economic activities in the region.

Considering these challenges, the ECOWAS Regional Infrastructure Masterplan adopted by the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of States strongly advocates for the need to undertake further studies to guide investment in new transboundary dam infrastructure to harness cross-border river basin potential and support climate change mitigation measures. To this end, the ECOWAS Project Preparation and Development Unit in collaboration with the ECOWAS Water Resources Coordination Centre intends to undertake a Study on Multipurpose Dam Sites for Climate Change Adaption and Regional Integration. The main objective of the proposed study is the identification of potential and priority transboundary dam sites to provide a solid basis for guiding future investments in regional water resource management, especially in dam construction in the ECOWAS region, and ensure integrated management of these resources.

Scope of services

The Consulting services ("the Services") include, but are not necessarily limited to, the tasks and responsibilities described below:

• • Carry out sector diagnostics, context analysis, water needs analysis and assessment of existing capacities on a regional scale;

• • Design and preparation of plans for new dams and water reservoirs;
  • Determination of future water demands and supply;
  • Prioritization of potential sites: As part of this study, efforts will be made to prioritize existing and possible sites for regional dams and water storage infrastructures;
  • Assessing the potential of multi-level structures:;
  • Assessment of environmental and social issues:
  • Risk assessment:
  • Profitability analysis and investment strategy:

 The ECOWAS Commission now invites eligible Consulting firms to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should       provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria   are as follow:

Experience

2. • The firm must have general experience in conducting comprehensive studies in large-scale water storage dams, integrated watershed management, hydraulic infrastructure, and watershed GIS Mapping within the last 10 years (2014 - 2024).
   • The company must also demonstrate that it has performed at least four (4) similar assignments related to studies for large-scale transboundary basin water dams and water resources management projects in the last ten (10) years (2014 - 2024).
   • The experience of a similar mission in the ECOWAS region is an advantage.
   • The consulting firm must have an experienced multidisciplinary team comprising at least the following:
     • A Team Leader/Project Coordinator – Specialist in Water Dam Engineering and GIS Mapping;
     • One (1) Expert in Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering;
     • One (1) Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Expert;
     • One (1) Institutional Development Specialist; and
     • One (1) Administrative Secretary.
   • The team leader must hold an advanced degree in Water Resources or Environmental Engineering and possess competence in large-scale water dam design and construction, watershed GIS mapping, management, or mission-related disciplines. He/She should also possess at least 10 years of cumulative professional experience in studies relating to hydrology and hydraulic engineering.
   • In addition, the Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering Expert must have advanced degrees in Hydrology and Hydraulics and at least ten (10) years of professional experience in dam studies or water resources/watershed management projects. Similarly, the Environmental Expert must have advanced degrees in Environmental Sciences and solid 7 years of experience in the conduct of environmental and social impact studies. The Institutional Development Specialist will be skilled in assessing inter-sectoral cooperative frameworks, especially for transboundary dam projects and possess an advanced degree in public administration, governance, water resources management including 7 years of experience in executing projects of these nature on a regional scale.

Language

• The consultant must demonstrate the ability to work in all the three official languages of ECOWAS (English, French and Portuguese)

  Duration of the mission

The duration of the contract is 10 calendar months.

Selection method