NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has invited suppliers to bid for contracts to provide 66 software licences for the World Bank-funded Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP), as the government moves to strengthen the digital systems supporting a major transport and connectivity programme in northern Kenya.
The procurement covers 25 geospatial software licences, 15 engineering design licences, 10 document management licences, 10 cloud storage licences and six highway analysis licences.
KeNHA said the software will be supplied, installed and configured under two procurement lots as part of the implementation of the HoAGDP, which seeks to improve transport, digital connectivity, trade and access to social services along the Isiolo–Mandera Regional Road Corridor.
The authority published the tender notice on August 11, 2026, under RFB Reference No. KE-KENHA-556111-GO-RFB and Tender No. KeNHA/3004/2026.
“The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) through the Government of Kenya has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Horn Africa Gateway Development Project,” the authority said in the tender notice.
Two lots up for bidding
Lot 1 comprises 25 geospatial software licences offered through annual subscriptions and 10 cloud storage licences. The successful supplier will also be responsible for their supply, installation and configuration.
Lot 2 covers 15 engineering design software suite licences, 10 document management licences and six highway analysis software licences.
The engineering design and document management licences will also be supplied on annual subscription terms.
Eligible bidders can submit bids for either one or both lots. Suppliers offering discounts for being awarded multiple lots or contracts may include the proposed discounts in their Letter of Bid.
The procurement will be conducted through National Open Competitive Procurement using a Request for Bids procedure in accordance with World Bank procurement regulations.
Project targets northern Kenya connectivity
The HoAGDP is a major World Bank-backed infrastructure and trade facilitation programme targeting the Isiolo–Mandera Regional Road Corridor, covering approximately 740 kilometres.
The project is designed to improve the movement of people and goods, reduce transport and trade costs, expand fibre-optic connectivity and improve access to health, education and water services in communities along the corridor.
Major components include upgrading sections of the Isiolo–Mandera road to bitumen standards, constructing spur roads, installing a 740-kilometre main fibre-optic cable and developing approximately 200 kilometres of fibre-optic spur links.
The programme also includes trade facilitation measures such as one-stop border posts, border management systems and bridges across the Dawa River to strengthen Kenya’s trade links with Ethiopia.
The project covers Isiolo, Meru, Wajir, Garissa and Mandera counties and forms part of the wider Horn of Africa Initiative, which seeks to strengthen regional integration, trade and connectivity.
The World Bank approved an initial US$750 million IDA financing package in September 2020, followed by an additional US$290 million in March 2026. Implementation involves KeNHA and other government agencies, alongside co-financing from the African Development Bank and Arab financial institutions.
September deadline for suppliers
KeNHA has set September 22, 2026, as the deadline for submission of bids.
Electronic bidding will not be permitted, and late submissions will be rejected. Bid opening will take place publicly on the same day at the KeNHA Barabara Plaza, Block C, 2nd Floor Boardroom, near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The tender documents are available free of charge through KeNHA’s official channels and the Public Procurement Information Portal. The authority has encouraged suppliers to download the documents electronically to reduce physical visits to its headquarters.
Bidders must also provide an unconditional bank guarantee as bid security. The requirement is Sh250,000 for Lot 1 and Sh300,000 for Lot 2.
KeNHA said suppliers seeking clarification can contact its Deputy Director for Supply Chain Management during official working hours.
Successful bidders will also be required to comply with applicable beneficial ownership disclosure requirements under World Bank procurement rules.
The authority has advised prospective suppliers to monitor its official communication channels for any tender addenda or clarifications issued before the September 22 deadline.
