Technology and Creative Sector
Financing Agreement reference: 2000200005160
Project ID No.: P-NG-K00-009
Background
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has received financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) towards the implementation of the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme. The objective of the iDICE Programme is to promote entrepreneurship, boost innovation, create jobs, enhance social development, and achieve economic transformation by fostering growth in the digital technology and creative ecosystem, building on brownfield investments and synergies with ongoing initiatives in Nigeria.
The iDICE programme comprises three major components that respond to specific gaps and build on existing initiatives in Nigeria’s technology and creative ecosystem. Under Component 3 of the Programme, creating an enabling environment for startups is key to the overarching objectives of the programme. The digitization and automation of the patent and trademark processes is key to improving the regulatory environment for startups by providing an efficient and streamlined process to register that trademarks and protect their intellectual property through the patent process without prolonged bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Against the above background and as part of implementation arrangements, the iDICE Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) within the Bank of Industry (BOI) – the Executing Agency for the Programme appointed by the FGN – is seeking to engage the services of a Consultant for the Digitization and Automation of Process for Patent and Trademark Licensing.
Objective
The objective of this consultancy is to develop a digital automation system for trademark and patent registration, focusing on minimizing the application-to-certification turnaround time. This includes creating and deploying separate automated tools for each process, along with ongoing maintenance and support.
It is expected that the assignment will take Twenty-Four (24) weeks from the date of contract commencement.
Scope of Work
The consultancy will involve the following key activities:
- Design and Create the Tools:
- Engage with the public sector regulator(s) overseeing trademark and patent registration processes particularly the Trademarks and Patent Office of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
- Design and create the tools that automate both processes.
- Deployment of Tools:
- Deploy automated tools.
- Update where necessary from hosting platform as the tools are launched in real time
- Follow-up and Maintenance of Deployed Tools:
- Follow-up and maintenance services on both tools for an extended period after launch.
- Handover maintenance to trained staff of the public regulator(s) after the extended period of maintenance.
- Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Building Requirements:
- Offer hands-on coaching and provide comprehensive training
- Develop user-friendly materials
The Bank of Industry (BOI) now invites eligible consultants to indicate interest in providing these services by submitting their expressions of interest, demonstrating experience in performing similar assignments with references and showing responsiveness to the qualifications requirements outlined in this REOI.
Minimum Qualification, Skills and Experience
- Have a minimum of 5 years of demonstrated professional experience in creating ICT tools for public service objectives and delivery.
- Have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in training public sector regulators in necessary ICT tools based on a pre-existing or specially created digital tool.
- Relevant professional certification
- Ability to work with a wide range of partners and manage multiple, simultaneous and shifting demands/ priorities under tight timelines.
- Demonstrated compliance with all safety regulations and environmental protection regulations.
Financial and Tax Requirements
- Confirmation of financial capacity of the company (3 years audited statement of accounts and financial summary).
- Evidence of VAT Registration and Company Tax Clearance Certificates for the last 3 years.
Firms that are registered outside Nigeria shall submit relevant legal and compliance documents as applicable to their countries of jurisdiction.
Submission of EOIs
Expressions of Interest should be structured as follows:
- Details / organizational profile of the firm or consortium detailing the firm’s strengths, expertise and any relevant information (max. 3 pages)
- Experience in similar assignments (max. 7 pages)
- Availability of Key Experts
- Any additional document(s) or information the firm believes is relevant
EOI submissions should not exceed 25 pages, excluding documents to be submitted as detailed under the Legal & Compliance and Financial & Tax Requirements above.
The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a shortlist and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s “Procurement Policy for Bank Group Funded Operations” October 2015, which is available on the AFDB’s website at http://www.afdb.org. Please note that interest expressed by an organization does not imply any obligation on the part of the Bank to include it in the shortlist.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection (ICS) method set out in the Procurement Policy and the procurement plan for the activities
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours, i.e. from 8 AM to 5 PM on working days.
Deadline for Submission of EOIs
Expressions of interest MUST be delivered in hard and soft (in a USB flash drive) copies to the address below no later than 2nd October, 2025 at [3:00pm] and specifically mention “EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR DIGITIZATION AND AUTOMATION OF PROCESS FOR PATENT AND TRADEMARK LICENSING”.
For the Terms of Reference (TOR) for this Expression of Interest, please visit www.boi.ng/idicetor.
Attn.
The iDICE Programme Coordination Unit
Bank of Industry
Tower 1, 9TH Floor
Abuja
E-mail: idice-proposals@boi.ng (for enquiries only)
Tel: 0700 225 5264 (0700 CALL BOI)
