Procurement in World Bank projects
The World Bank provides financing for development projects around the world, investing a considerable volume. At present, its projects account for a total volume of around USD 250 billion. Every year, it publishes around 40,000 procurement opportunities for construction works, the provision of equipment, and for consultancy and services in World Bank-financed projects.
Many of these contracts materialise during the implementation phase of projects. In the early project development phase, contracts are often placed for carrying out studies and advisory services. The greater part of the procurement takes place during the following project implementation, by means of international tenders that are organised by the respective executing agencies in the partner countries.
Alongside the ongoing projects, a large number of new projects are in preparation. Every year, international tenders worth around EUR 11 billion pass through the project pipeline. Many of these investments are for infrastructure projects in the energy, transport and water sectors.
It is therefore often a good idea for companies to find out about planned projects early on and assess ways in which they might be involved.
Changes to the World Bank’s procurement system
In recent years, the World Bank has further developed its procurement system to ensure that projects place a stronger focus on quality, impact and sustainable results. A core part of this reform is the greater consideration given to qualitative criteria in international tenders.
Whereas price has hitherto played the most significant role in many tender procedures, in future minimum quality weightings will apply. These might include, for example, technical capacities, project methodology, sustainability aspects and implementation expertise.
These changes are intended to ensure that complex development projects are more strongly based on technical quality, innovation and long-term results.
Another aspect of the reform is the aim to involve market actors at an early stage. In its larger projects, the World Bank now increasingly pursues early market engagement formats. This means that, before issuing invitations to tender, the bank's specialist departments are in contact with companies to familiarise themselves with the available technologies, solutions and market offers.
This communication can help to define the requirements more realistically and adapt procurement strategies to better suit actual market conditions. It is vital for the inclusion of innovations at an early stage and for ensuring projects are based on robust business cases from the private sector.
Specific offers to companies
- We provide regular information about changes to the World Bank’s procurement process and about its pipeline in relevant sectors.
- We offer seminars with experts who advise companies on how to participate successfully in tender procedures.
- Our events provide opportunities to get involved in networks.
- We share information about delegation trips and provide opportunities to meet experts from the World Bank.
Local value creation and sustainable supply chains
Another priority of the procurement reform is the greater involvement of the local businesses and workforce. In some construction projects, at least 30 per cent of the labour costs can be earmarked for local employment.
At the same time, local supply chains and sustainable production methods are becoming increasingly important. Procurement processes might, for example, integrate criteria for energy efficiency or the reduction of emissions along supply chains.
These approaches should help to link development projects more closely with local economic development and long-term sustainability goals.
What are the concrete changes?
Stronger quality weighting
Following the implementation of the World Bank Procurement Change Program 2025, new evaluation standards now apply to the awarding of contracts. Qualitative criteria such as sustainability, degree of innovation and technical quality are now given at least a 50 per cent weighting. Which specific elements are assessed depends on the respective project and sector. Typical quality indicators include technical capacity and environmental impact, but also local value creation, training strategies and social inclusion. The evidence required will be set out in the respective invitations to tender. They might, for example, call for environmental certificates or life-cycle cost analyses.
Promotion of local employment
Since September 2025, construction contracts have also been required to ensure that at least 30 per cent of wage costs are paid to local workers. Moreover, bidders are asked to include training measures for local employees as part of their planning. In future, projects will therefore promote value creation and skills locally.
Sustainable supply chains
Another priority is climate action and resource efficiency. Worldwide, more than three quarters of emissions are generated in supply chains. For this reason, the World Bank uses its procurement rules as a lever to promote lower-carbon supply chains. Companies are required to measure the CO₂ footprint of their materials and production processes, reduce emissions and switch to certified, sustainable products.
Early Market Engagement
In future, the borrowing countries and commissioning party should communicate with potential bidders prior to the official invitation to tender – known as Early Market Engagement. Workshops, webinars and market consultations are mandatory for larger projects worth USD 10 million or more. They facilitate the coordination of requirements and the realistic assessment of markets. This allows companies to find out at an early stage what projects are planned, thereby enabling them to make targeted preparations, find cooperation partners and drive innovation.
Simplified processes
The changes should make it easier for companies to implement projects in future, and render the overall process more reliable. In the future, the World Bank will be able to make direct payments for large international commissions, which will minimise liquidity and currency risks. The complaints system has been modernised and the bank's borrowers will receive more support in managing complex procurements. Taken together, these measures should create a more transparent, more stable environment for providers, which is especially beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Early information on projects
It can be vital for companies to learn about planned investments and project developments at an early stage. Often there is just a limited period of time between the publication of a tender and the submission deadline for bids.
As such, early information about planned projects and investments can provide an important basis for strategic preparations, finding partners and project planning.
An important source of information about international development projects is the platform of Germany Trade & Invest, where information is regularly published about international tenders and planned projects.
Events and training courses
AWE offers regular in-person events and webinars. We share our knowledge about changes in procurement policy in online seminars and in-person formats such as training courses. We also support the formation of networks and consortiums and provide access to local cooperation and consortium partners, and to relevant decision-makers, specialist dialogues and networking events.
Sectors and cooperation in World Bank projects
The World Bank invests in numerous development sectors worldwide. For many of its projects, which require differing technical, organisational and specialist skills, implementation involves international tenders.
The important sectors include
- Water and wastewater infrastructure
- Waste management and the circular economy
- Energy supply and energy grids
- Healthcare systems and medical infrastructure
- Digital infrastructure and information technology.
Larger projects are often implemented by international consortiums that bring together different competences. These could include construction companies, technology providers, consulting firms and local project partners.
Particularly in complex infrastructure projects, cooperation arrangements play an important role. Companies often work together with local partners or international consortium partners, so as to pool technical, financial and regional expertise.
What the Agency for Business and Economic Development (AWE) can do for you
AWE supports the efforts of companies to obtain targeted access to the World Bank and to position themselves strategically for participation in tenders.
The main focus is on networking with the right contacts. AWE brings companies together with relevant experts and decision-makers at the World Bank, thereby facilitating access to current developments and specific projects.
Curated exchanges and specialist events, as well as targeted networking activities, result in contacts that are a good match and new opportunities for cooperation. Companies get a chance to orientate themselves early on, while finding partners and positioning themselves in a complex environment.
Cooperation and forming consortiums
Many World Bank projects are carried out by international consortiums. This means companies often work together with other technical partners, consulting firms and local actors.
AWE also assists companies in forming such cooperation arrangements, for example through networking events, sector dialogues and delegation trips that result in contacts with potential project partners in different regions.