REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(Consulting Services)
Client: Orange‑Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM)
Project: Preparation of the Lesotho‑Botswana Water Transfer (L‑BWT) Project
Sector: Water Resources Management
Assignment: Feasibility Stage Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Water Conveyance System (WCS) for the L‑BWT Project
Project ID No.: ORASECOM/L‑BWT 002/2026
A. Background
The Orange‑Senqu River Basin Commission (ORASECOM) has secured grant financing from the Southern African Development Community – Project Preparation and Development Facility (SADC‑PPDF) and the State Parties (Botswana, Lesotho, and South Africa) towards the preparation of the feasibility stage of the Lesotho‑Botswana Water Transfer Project (L‑BWT).
ORASECOM intends to apply part of the financing to payments under the contract for the Feasibility Stage Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Water Conveyance System (WCS). The L‑BWT is a transboundary multipurpose water transfer project between Botswana, Lesotho, and South Africa.
B. About ORASECOM
ORASECOM is the river basin organisation established in 2000 by the Governments of Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa to manage the transboundary water resources of the Orange‑Senqu River Basin. The Commission promotes socio‑economic development while safeguarding the basin’s environment.
With support from development partners, ORASECOM has conducted water resources assessments and commissioned studies to address basin‑wide challenges. The L‑BWT Project forms part of the ORASECOM Climate‑Resilient Water Resources Investment Plan, commissioned in 2025.
C. Scope of the Assignment
The prefeasibility stage recommended an approximately 688 km long piped water conveyance system from Lesotho to Botswana to meet growing water demand in Botswana, Bloemfontein, and the North West Province of South Africa.
The consultancy services include:
- Conducting the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the piped water conveyance system
- Assessing WCS components integrating pump stations and hydropower generation
- Formulating mitigation measures for anticipated environmental and social impacts during implementation and operation
- Preparing a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP)
- Preparing an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP)
- Validating existing technical feasibility outputs, including hydrology and planning models
The study shall comply with:
- IFC Performance Standards
- African Development Bank (AfDB) Safeguards Policies and Procedures
- World Bank Equator Principles
- IFC / World Bank Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines
- World Commission on Dams (WCD) Guidelines
- Recognised transboundary best practices
- Applicable national laws and regulatory requirements of the affected State Parties
ORASECOM has already completed technical feasibility studies and a prefeasibility‑stage social and environmental assessment.
D. Invitation to Consulting Firms
ORASECOM invites eligible consulting firms to express interest in providing the above services. Interested firms must submit information demonstrating their capacity, including:
- Company profile and areas of expertise
- Description of similar assignments and relevant experience
- Understanding and interpretation of the assignment
- Proposed team structure and composition (balanced and multidisciplinary)
- Any other relevant information
Consultants may form joint ventures to enhance their qualifications.
E. Selection Method
Eligibility, short‑listing, and selection will be conducted in accordance with the African Development Bank Procurement Framework for Bank Group Funded Operations (2015).
The consultant will be selected using the Quality and Cost‑Based Selection (QCBS) method.
F. Submission of Expressions of Interest
Expressions of Interest must be submitted in both hard copy and soft copy, clearly marked:
“Selection of Consulting Firms for the Feasibility Stage Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Water Conveyance System (WCS) for the Lesotho‑Botswana Water Transfer Project (L‑BWT)”
Deadline: Friday, 29 May 2026 at 12:00 hours
Submission Address and Contact Details
Attention: Mr Comfort Molosiwa
Position: Executive Secretary
Organisation: 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 submitted in the prescribed format and within the stated deadline will be considered.