National Lottery Board picks RSM-QLOT consortium as transaction advisers
The consortium will guide the Board through the procurement and appointment of the country’s first National Lottery operator, marking a key milestone in the implementation of the National Lottery Act, 2023.
Kenya has moved closer to establishing its first National Lottery after the National Lottery Board appointed a consortium led by RSM Eastern Africa and Sweden-based QLOT Consulting as transaction adviser.
The consortium will guide the Board through the procurement and appointment of the country’s first National Lottery operator, marking a key milestone in the implementation of the National Lottery Act, 2023.
Board Chairperson Dr Farida Karoney announced the appointment on Thursday during a media briefing in Nairobi, saying the consortium emerged as the highest-ranked and most responsive bidder following an open international tender.
Karoney said the procurement was conducted in accordance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015, and evaluated using the Quality and Cost Based Selection methodology, which considers both technical quality and cost.
“The consortium we are announcing today emerged as the highest-ranked and most responsive bidder,” Karoney said, describing the procurement process as rigorous, transparent and competitive.
She said the appointment was an important step towards creating a National Lottery that would command public confidence and operate according to international standards.
“The appointment of a credible, multidisciplinary Transaction Advisor is a defining step in building a National Lottery that Kenyans can trust,” Karoney said.
“It is a statement of intent that our National Lottery will be structured transparently, governed responsibly, and built to international best practice, with every shilling raised channelled toward good causes that uplift communities across the country.”
RSM Eastern Africa will provide expertise in transaction advisory, governance and institutional strengthening, as well as knowledge of Kenya’s public-sector, legal and fiscal environment.
QLOT Consulting, an associate member of the World Lottery Association, will contribute international expertise in lottery procurement, strategy and operations, including experience in national lottery transactions.
The consortium’s mandate will cover concession structuring, legal and financial advisory, financial modelling, technical requirements, cybersecurity standards, market engagement, bid evaluation, contracting, financial close and preparations for operator onboarding and launch.
Under the National Lottery Act, the Board is responsible for establishing and overseeing the National Lottery, procuring and contracting its operator and administering the National Lottery Fund.
The government plans to channel proceeds remaining after payment of prizes and operating costs into the Fund.
The money will support charitable and humanitarian initiatives, youth and women’s economic empowerment, sports, arts and the creative economy, national heritage, health and education, emergency response and transformative national projects.
The board said distribution of funds would be guided by published rules, with allocations shared equitably across the country and subject to independent audits and public reporting.
Responsible gaming will also form part of the National Lottery framework. Measures will include age verification, spending and play controls, self-exclusion mechanisms, responsible advertising and clear disclosure of winning odds.
