Technical Consultant - DPI and Verifiable Credentials for Cross-Border Trade

Technical Consultant – Digital Public Infrastructure and Verifiable Credentials for Cross-Border Trade

Request for Proposals

About DIAL 

The Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL) is a global non-profit, reimagining how data and digital technology can fuel bold, inclusive solutions to society’s toughest challenges. Since 2014, we have focused our efforts on unlocking African countries’ digital potential to create lasting change – from advancing equity and driving sustainable economic growth to addressing climate change.

Our team – based across four continents – works at the intersection of research, policy, and practice, equipping leaders with the insights, tools, and resources they need to make informed, forward-thinking decisions that drive real, lasting benefits for people.

Our strength lies not only in the expertise we have, but in who we are – a global alliance, partnering with many of the world’s most influential investors and changemakers in digital development. As such, we are uniquely positioned to help build consensus and political will to realize a future where data and digital technology serve people and communities across Africa.

Background

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is one of the most ambitious economic integration projects since the formation of the World Trade Organization. The vision extends beyond traditional trade liberalization to encompass a comprehensive transformation of Africa's economic landscape, with the creation of a single digital market serving as a critical pillar of this transformation. To make that vision a reality, the AfCFTA adopted the Digital Trade Protocol (DTP) in 2024. The DTP is the critical step in turning the ambitious idea of a single digital market into something real and workable. One of the most promising parts of the DTP is the Annex on Digital Identity, adopted by the African Union in February 2025.

To ensure that the data economy drives equitable growth and social progress, DIAL set up the Africa Data Leadership Initiative – also known as ADLI – with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and Smart Africa. As a dedicated peer-to-peer forum, ADLI fosters deep exchanges and learnings between policymakers, private sector stakeholders, and people working in innovation and data economies across Africa. It aims to explore current and future issues related to data governance, data sharing, consent, and policies, which can be best understood and solved through sharing real-world examples and experiences.

The 2026 cohort of ADLI will consist of approximately 30 participants from six countries, who will be paired in groups of two vis-à-vis existing trade corridors as follows:

Zambia and Malawi

Ethiopia and Rwanda

Nigeria and Benin

The plan for the 2026 cohort of ADLI includes six virtual sessions and one two-day in-person convening following the Digital Trade Fair in Lagos, Nigeria in early May 2026.

Objective

The objective of the consultancy is to provide technical, policy, and facilitation support to design and deliver a structured peer learning programme, assess country readiness and political willingness, and co-create actionable pathways for testing and advancing digitally verifiable credential use cases that support cross-border trade under the AfCFTA DTP – for the 2026 cohort of ADLI but also for potential use for future cohorts of ADLI.

About the Role

The Technical Consultant (an organization, individual or team ) will provide technical expertise, implementation insight, and facilitation support to advance the design, assessment, and early-stage planning of digitally verifiable credential use cases under the AfCFTA DTP. The Consultant will support a structured peer learning programme aimed at strengthening technical readiness, improving shared understanding of implementation options, and co-creating actionable pathways for piloting digital public infrastructure (DPI) solutions that reduce cross-border trade frictions.

Working under the guidance of the DIAL team and in close coordination with the AfCFTA Secretariat, the Consultant will ensure that peer learning and roadmap development are grounded in realistic technical architectures, interoperability considerations, and implementation constraints, while remaining aligned with policy and governance objectives.

Scope of Responsibilities

Learning Design and Technical Assessment

The Consultant will support the development of a replicable, multi-modal learning programme focused on the technical foundations required to design, assess, and test digitally verifiable credential use cases in support of cross-border trade.

Responsibilities will include:

Undertaking desk-based technical analysis for each country (Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Nigeria, and Benin) to inform a high-level technical readiness and maturity assessment across participating countries, with attention to:

Digital identity foundations and credential issuance models

Existing systems relevant to trade, customs, migration, and business registration

Interoperability frameworks, standards, and data exchange capabilities

Governance frameworks, verification models, cybersecurity, and data protection considerations

Translating technical assessment findings for inclusion into a replicable, multi-modal learning programme for all six countries that includes learning objectives, curriculum content, and structured technical discussion prompts suitable for a multi-sectoral audience (co-created with DIAL and a Policy & Governance Consultant).

Supporting delivery of six virtual peer learning sessions (including speaking and session facilitation and presentations), using these engagements to test, validate, and refine technical assumptions and readiness findings through practitioner exchange and comparative learning.

Deliverables:

An assessment report that includes high-level technical analysis and/or a maturity assessment for each of the six countries: Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Nigeria, and Benin

A replicable, multi-modal learning programme for all six countries (co-created with DIAL and a Policy & Governance Consultant)

Support during all six virtual peer learning sessions

Workshop Facilitation and Roadmap Development

The Consultant will collaborate with DIAL and a Policy & Governance Consultant to support the design and facilitation of a a two-day in-person convening following the Digital Trade Fair in Lagos, Nigeria in early May 2026. This in-person peer learning workshop will focus on translating shared learning into concrete priorities for advancing digitally verifiable credential use cases. During this workshop, the Technical Consultant will be focused on translating technical learning into feasible, implementation-oriented pathways for digitally verifiable credential pilots.

Responsibilities will include:

Planning and sequencing workshop content to support technical use case identification, feasibility assessment, and prioritization, including the design of technical exercises and facilitation approaches.

Providing technical facilitation support during a two-day in-person workshop, guiding participants through structured discussions on:

System architecture options and interoperability approaches

Integration with existing national and regional systems

Technical dependencies, sequencing, and implementation risks

Supporting the co-creation of a high-level implementation roadmap (with DIAL and a Policy & Governance Consultant), articulating:

Priority use cases and technical scope

Indicative architectures and standards considerations

Roles of national technical institutions, regional bodies, and delivery partners

Key assumptions, risks, and mitigation measures

Deliverables:

Final workshop content – can include slides, presentation materials, and workshop agenda and run of show

Provision of in-person facilitation support during the two-day workshop in early May 2026

Technical inputs to the high-level implementation roadmap

Synthesis and Decision Support

The Consultant will translate technical insights and workshop outcomes into clear, decision-relevant technical outputs to inform AfCFTA Secretariat leadership and participating Member States.

Responsibilities will include:

Preparing or contributing to a concise technical synthesis report capturing:

Key findings from the technical readiness assessment and peer learning engagements

Outcomes of use case prioritization and roadmap co-creation process

Targeted technical recommendations to support decision-making on pilot design, architecture choices, interoperability approaches, and implementation sequencing.

Supporting the packaging of technical outputs for dissemination to AfCFTA leadership, national technical counterparts, and relevant implementation partners.

Deliverables

Concise technical synthesis report

Qualifications and Experience

Advanced degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent professional experience.

At least 7 years of relevant experience working on digital identity systems, verifiable credentials, digital public infrastructure, or large-scale digital platforms.

Demonstrated experience with interoperability frameworks, technical standards, governance frameworks, or cross-system integration.

Experience translating complex technical concepts for non-technical audiences, including policymakers and senior officials.

Prior experience working with governments, regional institutions, or international development programmes preferred.

Period of Performance

Work will start on or around 1 March 2026 and should be completed within a period of three months

Location: Remote, Africa with required travel to Lagos, Nigeria

Submission

Please submit the following materials in BambooHR by 23 February 2026:

CV/resume highlighting relevant experience

Proposal narrative (max 2 pages) describing your approach and relevant expertise

Cost estimate / budget to include travel to Lagos in person meeting – not to exceed USD $20,000

At least two professional references

 You may reach out to [email protected] with any questions about this RFP or submission requirements.