EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)/CALL FOR VENDOR PRE-QUALIFICATION

1. Introduction           

The Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) is a non-profit think tank based in Abuja, Nigeria, that conducts independent, high-quality research on economic and development issues in Africa. CSEA uses research and evidence to inform policy and contribute to improved development outcomes across the continent. 

CSEA’s work spans six thematic areas: Environment, Natural Resources and Energy; Poverty Reduction and Inclusive Growth; Human Capital Development; Global Economic Governance; Trade and Investment; and Macroeconomics and Public Financial Management.

 Established in 2008, CSEA works with policymakers, development partners, academic institutions, civil society organisations, the private sector and other stakeholders through research, policy engagement and knowledge-sharing activities. The Centre’s work provides evidence and practical insights to support policy discussions and decision-making on key economic and development issues in Nigeria and across Africa.

2. Scope of Services 

CSEA invites Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from reputable, experienced, and duly registered service providers, contractors, suppliers, and organisations with relevant expertise in the service categories outlined below. Eligible vendors must demonstrate relevant experience, technical capacity, and a proven track record of delivering similar services, particularly for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and development-focused institutions at the local and international levels.

3. Location 

The location of service delivery shall primarily be Abuja, or any other State in Nigeria as will be explicitly specified in subsequent Requests for Quotations (RFQs) or Requests for Proposals (RFPs).

4: Categories of Services

5: Submission Requirements & Eligibility Criteria

All applications must be submitted in English, signed by an authorized officer of the organization, and delivered by hand in a sealed envelope clearly marked "Expression of Interest – [Insert S/No(s) & Service Description]” to the physical address below:

The Procurement Committee

The Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA)

5 Timipre Sylva Cres, Mabushi, 900108,

Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.

OR

Send electronically to this email address:

 [email protected]

Prospective service providers must fulfill the following mandatory eligibility criteria:

Category A: Limited Liability Companies

1. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), including the Memorandum and Articles of Association (Forms CAC2 and CAC7 / Status Report).
2. Evidence of Company Income Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) for the last three (3) consecutive years (2023, 2024 & 2025).
3. Verifiable documentary evidence of at least three (3) similar jobs successfully executed in the last five (5) years, including Letters of Award, Valuation Certificates, Job Completion Certificates.
4. Bank Reference Letter or a Letter of Good Standing from a reputable commercial bank.

Category B: Business Enterprises and Ventures

1. Certificate of Registration of Business Name with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
2. Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) for the last three (2) consecutive years (2024 & 2025).
3. Tax Identification Number (TIN) verification document.
4. Bank Reference Letter or a Letter of Good Standing from a reputable commercial bank.

6. Data Protection and Privacy Compliance (NDPA Compliance)

In compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) and other applicable data privacy laws, CSEA is committed to safeguarding the personal and proprietary data submitted during this process.

1. Data Controller: CSEA acts as the Data Controller for all personal data collected throughout this pre-qualification exercise.
2. Purpose of Processing: Any personal data, corporate records, financial disclosures, or contact information collected will be processed strictly for the purposes of vendor evaluation, background verification, due diligence, and database registration.
3. Lawful Basis: Processing is carried out based on legitimate organizational interest, legal compliance, and the intention to enter into a commercial contract.
4. Data Security: CSEA implements robust technical and organizational security measures to protect submitted documents from unauthorized access, loss, or alteration.
5. Third-Party Disclosure: Vendor data will not be shared with third parties without explicit consent, except where required by law or regulatory oversight bodies.
6. Data Retention: Documents submitted by unsuccessful vendors will be securely archived or deleted after the evaluation cycle, in line with CSEA’s retention policy and the NDPA.

7. Important Information & Timelines

1. Submission Deadline: All submissions must be received by 5:00 PM on Monday, 14 September 2026. Late submissions will be automatically disqualified.
2. Bid Register: Upon physical submission of documents, vendors must complete and sign the Bid Register at the reception/submission desk.
3. Evaluation: Verification and evaluation of documents will commence immediately following the submission deadline. Pre-qualified vendors will be formally notified and registered on the CSEA Vendor Database.
4. Contract Framework: CSEA intends to enter a one-year, renewable short-term agreement framework with pre-qualified vendors. A formal Form of Contract will be signed prior to onboarding.
5. Clarifications: All requests for clarifications regarding this EOI must be sent to [email protected] on or before Monday, 14 September 2026.
6. Tax Exemptions: CSEA is a VAT-exempt organization. Statutory deductions, such as Withholding Tax (WHT) at the appropriate regulatory rates, will be deducted at source before final payments are disbursed.

8. Disclaimer & Legal Notes

1. This advertisement is purely a call for pre-qualification and shall not be construed as a commitment or contract on the part of CSEA; nor shall it entitle any vendor to claim indemnity or compensation from CSEA.
2. CSEA reserves the absolute right to accept or reject any submission, or to annul the entire pre-qualification process at any time, without incurring any liability or obligation to inform the affected vendors of the grounds for its action.
3. CSEA shall verify any or all documents and claims made by applicants. In accordance with law, any vendor found to have submitted falsified, forged, or altered documents will be automatically disqualified and may be referred to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.
4. By submitting documents, the vendor expressly consents to CSEA conducting comprehensive due diligence, background checks, and regulatory verifications on all shared information.
5. CSEA shall not be held liable for any omitted information, omissions, or administrative errors on the part of the applicant that result in disqualification.

Signed:

Management

The Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA)

August 2026