REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(Consulting Services)
Client: Orange‑Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM)
Project: Preparation of the Lesotho‑Botswana Water Transfer Project (L‑BWT)
Sector: Water Resources Management
Assignment: Feasibility Study for the Financial, Legal, and Institutional Structure for the Lesotho‑Botswana Water Transfer Project (L‑BWT)
Project ID No.: ORASECOM/L‑BWT 004/2026
A. Background
The Orange‑Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) has secured financing from the Southern African Development Community – Project Preparation and Development Facility (SADC‑PPDF) and the State Parties (Botswana, Lesotho, and South Africa) to prepare the feasibility stage of the Lesotho‑Botswana Water Transfer Project (L‑BWT).
ORASECOM intends to apply part of these funds towards payments under the contract for this assignment. The L‑BWT is a transboundary multipurpose water transfer project involving Botswana, Lesotho, and South Africa.
B. About ORASECOM
ORASECOM is the river basin organization established in 2000 by the Governments of Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa to manage transboundary water resources of the Orange‑Senqu River Basin. Its mandate includes promoting socio‑economic development while safeguarding the basin’s environmental sustainability.
With support from development partners, ORASECOM continues to implement studies and programmes to address basin‑wide water resources challenges. The L‑BWT Project forms part of the ORASECOM Climate‑Resilient Water Resources Investment Plan (2025).
C. Scope of the Assignment
Building on completed prefeasibility and institutional analyses, the consultant will develop and present a feasible Project Implementation Plan to ORASECOM and the State Parties. The assignment includes, but is not limited to:
- Reviewing feasibility studies and engaging key stakeholders
- Understanding the funding environment and institutional landscape
- Developing a three‑statement financial model covering investment, operation, and maintenance costs across the project lifecycle
- Conducting financial modelling and risk assessment
- Assessing risk‑adjusted bankability of the L‑BWT project
- Proposing suitable delivery and implementation models, including institutional, procurement, and contractual arrangements
- Identifying legal, institutional, and procurement risks and opportunities
- Facilitating knowledge sharing of key findings with relevant stakeholders
- Developing Terms of Reference for subsequent procurement of detailed financial and legal structuring services
D. Invitation
ORASECOM invites eligible consulting firms to express their interest in providing these services. Interested consultants must demonstrate their capacity and experience by submitting information on:
- Legal existence and areas of expertise
- Relevant experience in similar assignments and conditions
- Understanding and interpretation of the assignment
- Proposed team structure and composition
- Any other relevant information
Consultants may form joint ventures to strengthen their qualification.
E. Selection Method
Consultant selection will be conducted in accordance with the African Development Bank Procurement Framework for Bank Group‑Funded Operations (2015).
The method of selection will be Quality and Cost‑Based Selection (QCBS).
F. Submission of Expressions of Interest
Expressions of Interest must be submitted in both hard copy and electronic form, clearly marked:
“Selection of Consulting Firms for Feasibility Study for Financial, Legal and Institutional Structure for the Lesotho‑Botswana Water Transfer Project (L‑BWT)”
Deadline: Friday, 29 May 2026 at 12:00 hours
Submission Address & Contact Details
Attn: Mr Comfort Molosiwa
Position: Executive Secretary
Organization: ORASECOM Secretariat
Telephone:
+27 12 663 6826 / +266 2231 4168
Postal Address:
ORASECOM Secretariat
269 Von Willich Lane
South‑East Corner of Von Willich Lane & Lenchen Avenue
Entrance: Von Willich Lane
Ground Floor, Block A, Corporate 66 Office Park
Centurion, South Africa
Email:
Only Expressions of Interest received by the stated deadline and in the prescribed format will be considered.