Request for Expressions of Interest — Provision of External Legal Services (Retainership)
NAWEC invites eligible and qualified law firms to indicate their interest in providing comprehensive external legal services — including litigation, dispute resolution, corporate advisory, and regulatory compliance support — under a retainership arrangement.
Background
NAWEC is a vertically integrated national utility responsible for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity, as well as the production and distribution of water throughout The Gambia. As part of its mandate, NAWEC operates in a complex legal, regulatory, and commercial environment involving infrastructure development, public procurement, employment relations, contractual engagements, and regulatory compliance.
Over the years, NAWEC has undertaken significant expansion and transformation initiatives, exposing the Company to a broad spectrum of legal risks including contractual disputes, procurement challenges, employment litigation, regulatory compliance issues, debt recovery matters, and infrastructure-related claims.
As a state-owned enterprise, NAWEC requires continuous access to high-quality legal services to safeguard its interests and ensure compliance with applicable laws and international best practices. This REOI outlines the requirements for the recruitment of a qualified and experienced law firm to provide comprehensive legal advisory, litigation, and dispute resolution services under a retainership arrangement.
Assignment Objectives
Corporate Legal Advisory and Risk Management
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Regulatory and Compliance Support
Scope of Assignment
- Provide full-spectrum litigation services across all levels of courts in The Gambia
- Handle civil and commercial disputes — contractual disputes, infrastructure and contractor claims, employment and labour disputes, judicial review and administrative law matters
- Conduct debt recovery proceedings including enforcement of judgments
- Provide arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services
- Represent NAWEC in regulatory and administrative proceedings
- Provide legal opinions
- Conduct early case assessment within 14 days of instruction
- Provide litigation risk classification and exposure analysis
- Maintain a litigation register
- Provide periodic case updates and reporting
- Provide ongoing legal advisory services on procurement processes and compliance
- Employment and labour relations advisory
- Commercial contracts and agreements review and drafting
- Regulatory compliance matters
- Provide legal opinions and advisory notes
The scope of work includes, but is not limited to, the above activities.
- Legal risk assessment report
- Litigation strategy reports
- Quarterly litigation and advisory reports
- Updated litigation register
- Legal opinions and advisory notes
Shortlisting Criteria
- Be legally registered and licensed in The Gambia
- Have a minimum of 15 years’ experience in corporate and commercial law
- Demonstrate at least 10 major litigation or arbitration cases handled in the last 5 years, each with a value of at least GMD 10 million
- Have similar experience with public institutions or State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs)
- Provide qualified key personnel
- Be in good standing with relevant professional bodies
- Have no record of suspension or debarment
Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage. The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Least-Cost Based Selection (LCS) method.
How to Submit Your Expression of Interest
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1Download the Full REOI Document Download and read the complete Request for Expressions of Interest document using the PDF link on this page. It contains the full Terms of Reference, scope, requirements, and submission instructions.
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2Prepare Your Expression of Interest Provide information demonstrating that your firm is qualified to perform the services — including descriptions of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, and availability of appropriate professional skills. Ensure all shortlisting criteria are addressed.
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3Submit by 6 August 2026 at 16:00 hrs (Gambian Time) Deliver your EOI to the Records Office, NAWEC, 53 Mamadi Maniyang Highway, Kanifing, P.O. Box 609, or by email to bmboob@nawec.gm and mfsanyang@nawec.gm. Mention “Provision of External Legal Services (Retainership) for NAWEC” in the subject line or on the envelope.
Key Dates
| Date | Time | Milestone | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | — | REOI Published | Open for submissions |
| 6 August 2026 | 16:00 hrs | EOI Submission Deadline | Gambian Time · Records Office or email |
| TBC | — | Shortlisting of Applicants | NAWEC evaluation using LCS method |
| TBC | — | RFP Issued to Shortlisted Firms | Full RFP sent to shortlisted firms only |
“NAWEC requires continuous access to high-quality legal services to safeguard its interests and ensure compliance with applicable laws and international best practices.”
Contact & Submission Details
53 Mamadi Maniyang Highway
Kanifing, P.O. Box 609, The Gambia
Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC)
53 Mamadi Maniyang Highway
Kanifing, P.O. Box 609, The Gambia