Project 102: Provision of specialised equipment to the EU CBRN CoE Partner Countries in Africa

Context

The overall scope of the CBRN Centres of Excellence (CoE) initiative is to strengthenthe long-term national and regional capabilities of competent authorities and administrative infrastructures and develop a durable cooperation legacy in the fight against the CBRN threats. Lack of detection, analytical equipment, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are limiting factors in preparedness and response to CBRN events which can lead to loss of lives and destruction of the environment, which in turn lead to economic disruption. Since CBRN events are not necessarily accidental, non-state actors can take advantage of a country’s lack of capacity to detect chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, to cause mass casualties. 

Overall objective

This project aims to contribute to addressing trans-regional threats to peace, international security, and stability, through enhancing CBRN risk detection and mitigation.

Specific objective

• To provide support to the EU CBRN CoE Initiative in the procurement, delivery, and installation of specialised equipment dedicated to CBRN preparedness and response to partner countries in East and Central Africa. Selected equipment to support training exercises will also be delivered to CBRN CoE partner countries in North and West Africa. 

Concrete activities

• Determine recipient entities that will receive the proposed CBRN equipment, compilation of the equipment list by entity (including delivery locations).
• Develop technical specifications and conduct supply chain research to determine estimated equipment costs, import/export regulations, licensing requirements, and existing capacity in operations and maintenance of equipment in partner countries.
• Conduct site installation surveys, site assessment, design and works contracting, if required.
• Equipment tendering and contracting, delivery and calibration, handover, operation and maintenance in partner countries. 

Expected results

• Tailored equipment lists developed for each Partner Country (PC) and recipient entity, distinguishing dual-use items.
• Specifications adapted to national requirements and site-specific conditions.
• All necessary legal, human rights, and regulatory clearances obtained for procurement of dual-use items.
• Recipient sites evaluated for installation feasibility, including civil, mechanical, and electrical needs.
• Site-specific installation requirements and layouts fully documented.
• Structural, environmental, and social assessments conducted to ensure suitability and sustainability.
• Supply chain, licensing, and import/export requirements analysed to inform effective procurement.
• Procurement and tendering processes for both equipment and necessary site works conducted transparently and efficiently.
• Installation works designed and supervised to meet equipment requirements and site conditions.
• Training delivered to ensure local capacity for safe operation and maintenance of equipment.
• Maintenance and operation plans prepared and handed over to local counterparts.
• Post-installation support (including Defects Notification Period management) and project closure completed professionally.
• Final project documentation, including training records, monitoring reports, and a close-out report.

Achievements

• Equipment lists developed for all Partner Countries, except Uganda, distinguishing dual-use items, endorsed by National Focal Points, and approved by the EU CBRN team.
• Equipment specifications prepared in collaboration with national requirements and site-specific conditions.
• Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP) assessments completed for recipient entities to obtain necessary approvals for dual-use equipment procurement.
• Supply chain, licensing, and import/export research completed and integrated into the tendering process.
• Tenders for CBRN equipment in Kenya and Tanzania launched and under evaluation; these countries serve as pilots for the remaining nine.
• Training requirements included in tenders, with bidders required to submit proposals to ensure local capacity for equipment operation and maintenance.