VisionRI shortlisted for update of GIS database for Ghana’s last-mile electrification

The project is funded by the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group.

India's prestigious international development consulting firm, VisionRI, has been shortlisted for the update of the GIS database for last-mile electrification in West African nation Ghana. The shortlisting was made through global tendering.

"Digital Development and Energy both are among the six core areas of specialization of VisionRI. We have successfully implemented several power projects in African and Asian countries while some are under progress. We are very much confident to bag this project as well," said Mr. J. P. Singh, Managing Director of VisionRI. The existing GIS Electrification Database was developed by the Ministry of Energy, Government of the Republic of Ghana, with the assistance of the World Bank, in 2010. It has captured data for about 31,000 communities with a population above 500. This project is part of the National Electrification Scheme (NES) of Ghana which is being implemented since 1990. According to a review report, by the end of 2018, the electricity access in Ghana was increased from 23 per cent to 84 per cent with over 11,000 communities connected to the national grid. The Ministry now aims to achieve universal electricity access by 2030 by including communities with a population less than 500 that are remotely located in challenging geographical areas.

As per the letter of the Ministry of Energy, Government of the Republic of Ghana, the objectives of the work include to review the existing GIS electrification database in use by the Ministry, to develop and implement a comprehensive data collection approach for updating the Ministry's GIS electrification database and to process and upload the collected data into the Ministry's GIS electrification database system. The duration of this project will be 8 months (32 weeks). In the global tender, the Ministry has shortlisted six firms including one from Ghana. Besides a firm from Portugal, a consortium of Greece and Ghana-based firms have also been shortlisted. The shortlisted firms have been asked to submit their technical and financial proposals by 4 pm (local time) on April 20, 2020.