RAAMP: All Procurement Must Follow World Bank Regulations, Says Official

All procurement activities under World Bank-financed projects in Nigeria, including the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), must strictly adhere to World Bank Procurement Regulations, a senior official has stated.

Barbara Ziolkowska, Senior Procurement Specialist at the World Bank, emphasised that “all procurements under WB financed investment projects must follow the World Bank Procurement Regulations and the provisions set forth in respective Financing Agreements (FA).”

Speaking at the Early Market Engagement Forum, held in Abuja on Thursday, she said the FA—whether it is a loan, credit, or grant—is the legal foundation for every activity carried out under a project, including procurement, and it takes precedence over local laws and regulations.

“The Bank shall make arrangements to ensure that the proceeds of any Loan are used only for the purposes for which the Loan was granted, with due attention to considerations of economy and efficiency and without regard to political or other non-economic influences or considerations,” she added, quoting the Articles of Agreement.

She noted that the use of the Bank’s Standard Procurement Documents (SPD), or those approved by the Bank, is mandatory. “Use of STEP system is mandatory. Evaluate bids following WB standard bid evaluation template. Publish contract award notice in STEP,” she said.

Ziolkowska also highlighted key updates that affect RAAMP and similar projects. From March 1, 2025, “all Standard Bidding Documents (SBDs) have been updated and must be mandatorily used for all procurements.” For International Competitive Bidding contracts, the latest SBDs must be applied. Failure to properly apply the Rated Criteria Weightings Matrix may result in mis-procurement.

Borrowers, such as Nigeria’s implementing agencies for RAAMP, are responsible for executing the project and carrying out procurement activities, while ensuring proper record-keeping and compliance with the Bank’s fiduciary and safeguard standards.

The World Bank plays a supervisory role, offering support through prior and post reviews, as well as hands-on expanded implementation support where applicable.

As part of ensuring transparency and supplier readiness, Ziolkowska urged firms to engage in Early Market Engagement.

“It relates to the Borrower’s approach for discussing their requirements with suppliers in each market and encouraging their participation, before bidding documents have been published,” she explained.

She further encouraged prospective suppliers to visit the Bank’s procurement website and suppliers’ hub, adding that FPMU and SPIUs “will make sure that any firm, who expressed interest in Early Market Engagement will receive future procurement notices, once they are published.”

RAAMP Procurement Consultant Mr Muhammad Yahaya stated, “Future procurement opportunities under the project will be procured through the national, international and limited market approach for PFB/RFQ under works, goods and consultancy services in line with the World Bank procurement regulation of IPF borrowers.”

The event, attended by contractors, suppliers, consultants, government representatives, and development partners, was organised to prepare the market ahead of the next round of procurement opportunities.

The Director of the Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Bukar Musa, described the engagement as “a critical step in preparing the market for the upcoming procurement opportunities supported by our development partners, including the World Bank and the Federal and State Governments.”

Musa emphasised that with the scale-up, the project is “expanding our reach, deepening our impact, and embracing innovative procurement approaches to ensure transparency, efficiency, and value for money.”

In his welcome address, RAAMP National Coordinator Aminu Mohammed explained the importance of early engagement.

“This forum is not merely a formality but a strategic step in preparing the ground for successful and impactful delivery of rural infrastructure and services across Nigeria,” he said.

He further noted that RAAMP is jointly funded by the World Bank, the French Development Agency (AFD), and the federal and participating state governments.

“The scale-up phase presents expanded opportunities, but it also demands higher levels of professionalism, efficiency, and compliance with international best practices,” he added.

Lead Infrastructure Engineer at RAAMP, Bukar Gana, also shared technical insights into the road designs being deployed under the project.

“A new low-volume road is built to complement the comprehensive highway manual covering geometric and structural designs for major roads published around 2013,” he said.

“This type of intervention is done on upward roads that provide access to areas of high socio-economic activities with the potential of attracting more traffic when upgrading work is completed,” he added.