Service Provider for DIF Data Centre Skills Development Architecture – Phase 2 Implementation

Service Provider for DIF Data Centre Skills Development Architecture – Phase 2 Implementation The Digital Investment Facility (DIF) is a European technical assistance initiative supporting green and secure digital infrastructure across Africa. In partnership with the EU Commission, GIZ, and HAUS, DIF works to improve the bankability of projects such as data centres, IXPs, and digital backbone infrastructure. Africa’s digital infrastructure growth is accelerating, with data centre capacity demand increasing more rapidly than the availability of skilled professionals. Phase 1 of the DIF Skills Development Program — completed in October 2025 — validated the following structural constraints: • Low awareness of careers in data centres and digital infrastructure • Limited practical experience within existing training pathways • Fragmented training quality across countries and institutions • Strong emerging demand for sustainability, energy efficiency and operational skills • High willingness among operators, OEMs and training institutions to collaborate. The Phase 1 blueprint established a full architecture for addressing these challenges, including curriculum tiers, partner roles, governance, employer linkages, and a business model. Phase 2 now focuses on execution. The objective is to test a functioning talent funnel across some pilot countries like South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, integrating academic delivery, practical training, industry partnerships, and employer placement mechanisms. The pilot program reinforces DIF’s mission to reduce investment risks for data centres and IXPs by strengthening human capital essential for sustainable operations. The objective of this procurement is to contract a qualified Service Provider to implement the full Skills Development Pilot cycle between January and September 2026. The Service Provider will be responsible for: • Mobilising academic partners and regional delivery institutions • Structuring, coordinating and quality-assuring Data Centre Certified Associate (DCCA) I and II training delivery • Managing student outreach, recruitment and learner lifecycle processes • Designing and operationalising practical training via operators and OEMs • Implementing employer placement channels and industry engagement • Establishing and maintaining governance, compliance and reporting mechanisms • Developing a comprehensive scale-up plan for regional expansion in 2027–2028. The scope extends across South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, requiring operational capacity in multicultural, multi-stakeholder environments and close coordination with DIF and industry partners. A more detailed description of the procurement is provided in Annex 1 (TOR).,