Consultancy Services for the External Audit of WAPP Fiscal Year 2024 and 2025

• Country: Multinational
• Financing: West African Power Pool (WAPP) 
• Title:   External Audit of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) - Fiscal Years 2024 & 2025

The General Secretariat of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) is a specialized institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

WAPP is an association of public and private electricity companies in West Africa, created in 1999 by the authority of the Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS Member States.

In 2006, following new decisions by the authority of the Heads of State and Government, the WAPP convention was approved by the signature of the Directors General of the member companies and the WAPP General Secretariat was established as a Specialized Institution of ECOWAS.

The WAPP General Secretariat, under the aegis of ECOWAS; signed a Headquarters Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Benin.

WAPP operates within the provisions of the ECOWAS Treaty as an International Organization enjoying diplomatic immunity in the execution of its missions. In accordance with the provisions of its Establishment Convention, the WAPP General Secretariat has the legal capacity to acquire and dispose of tangible and intangible assets.

It is in this context that the WAPP General Secretariat is seeking the services of an Audit Firm to audit its financial statements for the financial years 2024 and 2025. The basic responsibilities of this firm are:

1. Provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements audited by him give a true and fair view of the activities of WAPP during the year and have been prepared in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS);
2. Identify, assess and review risks related to regularity, integrity and financial controls and produce a report on significant weaknesses;
3. Provide practical advice that will help WAPP improve governance, including financial management, controls and reporting.
4. Produce a Final Audit Report and a Letter to the Secretary General.
5. Carry out physical verification of WAPP's main fixed assets and investments.

The audit will be conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) issued by IFAC and will include audit tests and procedures and checks that the Firm deems necessary in the circumstances.

The engagement is expected to last approximately 60 days overall, with 30 days per financial year.

WAPP invites eligible Firms to apply to provide the services described above. Interested firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, references concerning the execution of similar contracts, experience in similar conditions, availability of the necessary knowledge among staff, etc.).
The selection criteria for the shortlist are as follows:

1. Be an independent Audit and Accounting firm, regularly engaged in auditing accounts, regularly registered with an Order of Chartered Accountants recognized internationally by IFAC or FIDEF;
2. Have general experience of at least ten (10) years in the audit of international or sub-regional institutions;
3. Have specific experience in auditing international or sub-regional organizations comparable to WAPP: have carried out at least three (3) similar contracts in auditing an international or sub-regional institution over the last five (5) years.

NB: attach copies of performance certificates or contract

Key personnel will not be assessed at this stage of the selection.

The Terms of Reference for the mission (French and English versions) can be downloaded HERE.

The Firm will be selected in accordance with the “Least Cost Selection (LCS)” method set out in the WAPP Public Procurement Code October 2020 Edition, which can be consulted on this website.

Further information can be obtained at the following address: Email: cpm@ecowapp.org with copy: daf@ecowapp.org; andorere@ecowapp.org and iimorou@ecowapp.org

Consultants may partner with other firms to improve their qualifications but must clearly indicate whether the association takes the form of a (joint venture) or a subcontracting. In the case of a grouping, all partners of the association are jointly and severally liable for the entire execution of the contract, if selected.

Expressions of interest must be submitted in French or English (at the Firm's choice) in electronic form only. Applications will clearly state in the subject line of the email
"Consultancy Services for the External Audit of WAPP Fiscal Year 2024 and 2025" and must be received no later than 10:00 a.m., Benin time, on March 5, 2025 at the following address: procurement@ecowapp.org

The events will open online on the same day at 10:30 a.m. An online invitation (Microsoft Teams) will be sent to all candidates who have submitted a file. The opening minutes of the expressions of interest received will be sent to all bidders.