1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The Council of Bureaux is one of the COMESA institutions mandated to coordinate the operations of the COMESA Yellow Card Scheme which is one of the COMESA trade facilitation instruments that commenced its operations in 1987. The COMESA Yellow Card Scheme is a regional third-party motor vehicle insurance scheme whose objective is to enhance regional trade through facilitation of free movement of vehicles, goods, and persons across borders of participating countries. The Scheme is currently operational in twelve member countries, namely, Burundi, Djibouti, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Tanzania, though not a member, is participating in the Scheme.

To support the Scheme’s effectiveness, robust ICT systems are necessary. Consequently, the Council of Bureaux Secretariat has prepared a draft ICT policy framework, which now requires expert review and validation.

2. PURPOSE & SCOPE
   

The main objective of this consultancy is to provide expert services for the comprehensive review and validation of the developed draft ICT policy framework, ensuring its robustness, alignment with international standards, best practices and provide support for the seamless operation of the Digital Yellow Card Scheme. Additionally, the consultancy will be required to develop an implementation plan for the policy framework.

3. OBJECTIVE
   

The objective of the consultancy is to review and align the developed draft ICT policy framework for the COMESA Yellow Card Scheme to ensure its robustness to meet with international standards and best practices in line with the current technological developments and trends.