National Bank of Ethiopia Launches International Design Competition for New Headquarters

The National Bank of Ethiopia has announced plans to construct a new headquarters building in Addis Ababa, launching an international design competition aimed at delivering a landmark institutional facility aligned with the central bank’s long-term strategic vision.

The proposed development will be built on a 5,700 square meter site within the Bank’s existing compound, representing a major expansion of its operational infrastructure. The project is expected to consolidate key functions and support the institution’s evolving regulatory and financial system oversight responsibilities.

In a Request for Expression of Interest issued on March 21, 2026, the central bank invited international consulting firms to submit proposals covering architectural and engineering design, construction supervision, and contract administration services. The initiative marks the first significant headquarters infrastructure development undertaken by the central bank in decades.

According to the tender specifications, the facility will incorporate modern administrative offices, conference and training facilities, parking infrastructure, staff service areas, and advanced building systems. The design will integrate contemporary mechanical, electrical, IT, and communications infrastructure alongside energy-efficient technologies and sustainability-focused construction standards.

The project will incorporate modern security and accessibility features, ensuring the facility meets current operational and future expansion needs. The Bank is prioritizing a fully coordinated Building Information Modeling (BIM) system to improve design accuracy and minimize construction disputes.

Consultancy services will be structured under the FIDIC White Book 2017 framework, while construction contracts are expected to follow the FIDIC Red Book 2017 standards. The selected consultant will conduct soil studies, topographic surveys, concept development, and schematic design, ensuring a technically robust and scalable structure.

Interested firms are required to submit expressions of interest by April 7, 2026. Evaluation criteria include general professional experience (20 percent), specific expertise in large-scale institutional headquarters projects (45 percent), and team composition (35 percent). Only firms achieving a minimum score of 70 percent will be shortlisted for the next stage of the selection process.

The project signals continued institutional modernization efforts within Ethiopia’s financial regulatory architecture and highlights increasing adoption of global engineering and project management standards.

source: EBR