AIIB Tenders: How to Find and Win Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Contracts

That makes AIIB the most open major MDB for eligibility purposes. Unlike the World Bank or the African Development Bank, which restrict procurement participation to member-country firms, AIIB has no nationality-based restrictions on who can bid. If your company can deliver what a project requires, you can compete.

Yet despite this openness, many international contractors and consultants overlook AIIB opportunities entirely. They focus on the World Bank and the ADB, missing a rapidly growing pipeline from an institution that is doubling its project approvals every few years. This guide explains exactly how AIIB procurement works, where to find tenders, and how to position your firm for success.

Understanding AIIB: The Youngest Major MDB

AIIB was proposed by China in 2013 and formally established in December 2015 with 57 founding members. Its headquarters are in Beijing, with a mandate focused squarely on infrastructure and connectivity in Asia and beyond.

Key Facts at a Glance

AIIB's AAA credit rating means its projects carry minimal sovereign risk for contractors. When AIIB finances a project, the funding is reliable and payment structures follow established MDB norms.

How AIIB Differs from Other MDBs

Several features distinguish AIIB from older institutions like the World Bank or the ADB:

Universal eligibility. This is the most significant difference. World Bank procurement is limited to firms from member countries (189 countries, so nearly universal in practice). ADB limits eligibility to its 68 members. AIIB imposes no country restriction whatsoever.

Infrastructure focus. While the World Bank and ADB fund education, health, governance, and social programmes alongside infrastructure, AIIB concentrates almost exclusively on physical and digital infrastructure. This means the tender pipeline is heavily weighted towards construction, engineering, energy systems, and technology, sectors where private-sector contractors thrive.

Lean operations. AIIB operates with a smaller staff relative to its lending volume than any comparable MDB. It relies heavily on co-financing arrangements and delegated procurement, which means many AIIB-financed contracts are actually procured through partner institutions' systems.

Rapid growth trajectory. AIIB approved $2.2 billion in its first full year (2017). By 2023, annual approvals exceeded $15 billion. The trajectory is steep, and the pipeline of future projects continues to expand.

AIIB's Core Sectors and Where the Money Goes

Understanding AIIB's sector allocation helps you target the right opportunities.

Transport Infrastructure

Transport is AIIB's largest sector by financing volume. Projects include:

• Highway construction and rehabilitation
• Railway modernisation (including metro and light rail systems)
• Port and logistics infrastructure
• Bridge and tunnel engineering
• Rural road connectivity programmes

Transport projects tend to be large-scale, with individual contracts often exceeding $50 million for civil works. They are concentrated in South Asia, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Energy

AIIB finances both conventional and renewable energy infrastructure:

• Solar and wind power generation facilities
• Electricity transmission and distribution networks
• Gas pipeline and storage infrastructure
• Energy storage and battery systems
• Power plant rehabilitation and efficiency upgrades

The bank has committed to aligning all operations with the Paris Agreement from July 2023 onwards, which is progressively shifting the energy portfolio towards renewables and clean energy.

Water and Sanitation

Water sector projects cover:

• Urban water supply systems
• Wastewater treatment plants
• Flood management and drainage infrastructure
• Irrigation modernisation
• Dam safety and rehabilitation

Digital Infrastructure

A growing portion of AIIB's portfolio targets digital connectivity:

• Fibre-optic backbone networks
• Data centre infrastructure
• Smart city technology platforms
• Digital connectivity in underserved regions

Urban Development

Urban projects combine multiple infrastructure elements:

• Integrated urban transport systems
• Municipal infrastructure (water, sewage, solid waste)
• Affordable housing programmes
• Urban resilience and climate adaptation

How AIIB Procurement Works

AIIB's procurement framework draws heavily from established MDB practices, particularly those of the World Bank and the ADB. If you have experience with either institution, you will find AIIB's system familiar.

The Procurement Policy

AIIB's Procurement Policy was adopted in January 2016 and has been updated periodically. The core principles are:

1. Economy and efficiency: achieving value for money
2. Broad eligibility: open to all countries
3. Fair competition: transparent and non-discriminatory processes
4. Transparency: public disclosure of procurement information
5. Fitness for purpose: procurement methods matched to project needs

Procurement Methods

AIIB uses standard MDB procurement methods:

Open Competitive Bidding (OCB) is the default method for goods, works, and non-consulting services above specified thresholds. It is open to all eligible bidders and follows a structured process with public advertisement, bid submission, evaluation, and contract award.

Limited Competitive Bidding (LCB) restricts the number of bidders invited, typically when the number of qualified suppliers is limited or the contract value does not justify full open competition.

Request for Quotations (RFQ) applies to small-value purchases, typically below $100,000, $500,000 depending on the country and project. The implementing agency solicits price quotations from a minimum number of suppliers.

Direct Selection is permitted in exceptional circumstances: emergency situations, proprietary technology with a single source, or natural extensions of existing contracts.

For consulting services, AIIB uses quality-and-cost-based selection (QCBS), quality-based selection (QBS), fixed budget selection (FBS), least cost selection (LCS), and consultants' qualifications selection (CQS), the same suite of methods used by the World Bank and ADB.

Who Actually Procures?

Like all MDBs, AIIB does not directly purchase goods or hire contractors. The borrower, typically a government ministry, state-owned enterprise, or project implementing unit, conducts the procurement. AIIB's role is to:

• Set the procurement rules and standards
• Review and approve procurement plans
• Conduct prior and post reviews of procurement decisions
• Handle complaints and disputes

This means your contract is with the borrowing country's implementing agency, not with AIIB itself. However, the implementing agency must follow AIIB's procurement framework.

Co-Financing: Why AIIB Tenders Appear on Other Platforms

A significant portion of AIIB's portfolio involves co-financing with other MDBs, particularly the World Bank and the ADB. In co-financed projects, one institution typically takes the lead on procurement, and the other follows the lead institution's procurement framework.

This has practical implications:

• An AIIB-financed project co-financed with the World Bank may have its tenders published on the World Bank's STEP system, not on AIIB's own portal
• An AIIB-ADB co-financed project may appear on the ADB's Consultant Management System (CMS) or ADB procurement notices page
• Stand-alone AIIB projects publish tenders on AIIB's own website and through the implementing agency

You must therefore monitor multiple platforms to capture all AIIB-related opportunities.

Finding AIIB Tenders: A Practical Guide

AIIB's Own Portal

AIIB publishes project information at aiib.org/en/projects/list. The portal provides:

• Project summaries and documents
• Procurement notices for stand-alone projects
• Environmental and social impact assessments
• Board-approved project documents

However, AIIB does not offer a public API for tender data. There is no structured data feed or machine-readable procurement endpoint. All information must be accessed through the web portal manually.

Navigating the AIIB Project List

The project list can be filtered by:

• Status: Proposed, Approved, Active, Closed
• Sector: Energy, Transport, Water, Urban, Digital, Multi-sector
• Region/Country: Filter by specific borrowing country
• Financing type: Sovereign, Non-sovereign, Special Fund

For procurement purposes, focus on projects with Active status. These are the projects currently implementing and issuing tenders. Approved projects that have not yet started implementation may issue tenders in the coming months.

Monitoring Co-Financed Projects

To capture co-financed tenders:

1. Check each AIIB project page for co-financing details
2. Identify the lead agency for procurement
3. Register on the lead agency's procurement platform (STEP for World Bank, CMS for ADB)
4. Set alerts for the relevant project or sector

Email Alerts and Notifications

AIIB does not currently offer a sophisticated tender alert system comparable to the World Bank's STEP notifications or ADB's business opportunity alerts. You can:

• Subscribe to AIIB's general news updates via their website
• Monitor the project list page for new additions
• Follow AIIB on LinkedIn for project announcements
• Use third-party tender aggregation platforms that monitor AIIB

Step-by-Step: How to Bid on AIIB Contracts

Step 1: Identify Relevant Projects

Start by reviewing the AIIB project pipeline in your sector and geography. Download project documents for active projects that match your capabilities. Pay particular attention to:

• The Procurement Plan (lists all anticipated contracts, methods, and timelines)
• The Project Administration Manual (outlines implementation arrangements)
• Environmental and Social Management Plans (identify specialist consultant needs)

Step 2: Understand the Implementing Agency

Research the implementing agency for each project. This is your future client. Understand:

• Their procurement capacity and track record
• Local registration requirements (some countries require foreign firms to register locally)
• Language requirements (procurement documents may be in the local language)
• Tax and customs implications for foreign contractors

Step 3: Prepare Your Firm's Credentials

For goods and works contracts, you will need:

• Company registration and financial statements (typically 3-5 years)
• Evidence of similar completed contracts (value and scope)
• Key personnel CVs (for works and turnkey contracts)
• Quality management and safety certifications
• Equipment and plant lists (for works)

For consulting services, prepare:

• Firm profile and experience statements
• CVs of proposed key experts
• Methodology and approach documents
• Financial proposal in the specified format

Step 4: Respond to the Specific Opportunity

Once a tender is published:

1. Download all bidding documents carefully
2. Attend any pre-bid meetings or site visits
3. Submit clarification requests before the deadline
4. Prepare your bid in strict compliance with the instructions to bidders
5. Submit before the deadline (late submissions are rejected without exception)

Step 5: Post-Submission

After submitting:

• Attend the bid opening (for goods and works, this is typically public)
• Respond promptly to any clarification requests from the evaluation committee
• Be prepared for contract negotiations (especially for consulting services)
• If unsuccessful, request a debriefing, AIIB's procurement framework provides for this

Practical Tips for Winning AIIB Contracts

Leverage the Universal Eligibility

Since AIIB procurement is open to all countries, firms from non-member states can compete. This is particularly advantageous for companies from countries that are not ADB or World Bank members, or for firms that face restrictions under other MDB procurement rules.

Target Stand-Alone Projects

Co-financed projects default to the lead agency's procurement system, which may not offer any advantage over bidding directly through the World Bank or ADB. Stand-alone AIIB projects, by contrast, represent a less crowded competitive landscape because fewer firms actively monitor AIIB's portal.

Build Relationships with Implementing Agencies

Since your contract is with the implementing agency, not AIIB, developing relationships with key government ministries and project management units in target countries is critical. Attend country-level project launch events, participate in pre-bid conferences, and invest in understanding local market conditions.

Consider Joint Ventures

For large infrastructure contracts, AIIB encourages joint ventures between international and local firms. This approach:

• Strengthens your bid by combining international expertise with local knowledge
• Satisfies any domestic preference provisions
• Reduces your risk in unfamiliar markets
• Demonstrates commitment to capacity building (which AIIB values)

Watch the Pipeline

AIIB publishes a project pipeline of upcoming projects under preparation. Monitoring this pipeline gives you 6-18 months of advance notice before tenders are issued, allowing time to form partnerships, conduct market research, and position your firm.

AIIB vs Other MDBs: A Quick Comparison

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Limited Tender Visibility

Challenge: AIIB's web portal does not offer the same level of tender aggregation as the World Bank's STEP system. Many AIIB-financed tenders are scattered across co-financing partner platforms and national procurement portals.

Solution: Use a multi-platform monitoring approach. Register on STEP, ADB's procurement portal, and key national procurement websites in your target countries. Consider using a tender aggregation platform like Bidovate that consolidates opportunities from multiple sources.

Language Barriers

Challenge: AIIB projects span countries with diverse languages. While AIIB's official language is English, implementing agencies may issue procurement documents in local languages.

Solution: Budget for translation services. For large contracts, the cost of professional translation is trivial relative to the contract value. Some implementing agencies provide bilingual documents, always request the English version if available.

Navigating Local Requirements

Challenge: Each borrowing country has its own registration, tax, and import regulations. Foreign firms may need to register a local branch, obtain a tax identification number, or secure import licences for equipment.

Solution: Engage a local legal or accounting firm early in the process. Many countries have streamlined registration for MDB-financed project contractors. The implementing agency can often provide guidance on local requirements.

The Future of AIIB Procurement

AIIB's trajectory points to sustained growth. The bank has expanded from 57 founding members to 109, with further membership applications pending. Annual lending volumes continue to increase, and the institutional focus on infrastructure aligns with massive unmet investment needs across Asia and beyond.

Key trends to watch:

• Climate infrastructure: AIIB has committed to dedicating 50% of approvals to climate finance by 2025, driving demand for renewable energy, green transport, and climate resilience contractors
• Digital infrastructure: Growing investment in broadband, data centres, and smart city technology
• Private sector operations: AIIB is expanding non-sovereign lending, creating opportunities for private-sector partnerships
• Geographic expansion: Projects increasingly extend beyond Asia into Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe

Frequently Asked Questions

Can firms from non-AIIB member countries bid on AIIB tenders?

Yes. AIIB has the most open eligibility policy among major MDBs. Firms from any country in the world can participate in AIIB-financed procurement, regardless of whether their country is an AIIB member. This is explicitly stated in AIIB's Procurement Policy.

Where are AIIB tenders published?

AIIB tenders are published through multiple channels. Stand-alone AIIB projects publish notices on aiib.org and through the implementing agency's national procurement system. Co-financed projects typically appear on the lead co-financier's platform, STEP for World Bank co-financed projects and ADB's procurement portal for ADB co-financed projects.

Does AIIB have a procurement API or data feed?

No. As of 2025, AIIB does not offer a public API or structured data feed for procurement information. All tender monitoring must be done through the web portal or through third-party aggregation services. This is one area where AIIB lags behind the World Bank and ADB, both of which offer limited API access.

What is the typical contract size for AIIB projects?

Contract sizes vary widely. Large civil works contracts for transport and energy projects can exceed $100 million. Consulting assignments typically range from $200,000 to $5 million. Goods contracts span from small equipment purchases under $500,000 to major supply contracts worth $10-50 million. The median contract size skews larger than other MDBs because of AIIB's infrastructure focus.

How long does the AIIB procurement process take?

The timeline depends on the procurement method and contract complexity. Open competitive bidding for major works contracts typically takes 3-6 months from advertisement to contract signing. Consulting services selection can take 4-8 months due to the multi-stage evaluation process. Small-value purchases through request for quotations can be completed in 4-8 weeks.

Start Winning AIIB Contracts Today

AIIB represents one of the fastest-growing sources of international infrastructure procurement. With $70 billion in cumulative financing, universal eligibility, and a pipeline that continues to expand, the opportunity for contractors, consultants, and suppliers is substantial and growing.

The firms that win AIIB contracts are the ones that monitor opportunities systematically, understand the procurement framework, and prepare their bids with discipline. Bidovate helps you track AIIB tenders alongside opportunities from the World Bank, ADB, and dozens of other sources, all in one platform. Stop missing opportunities from the world's fastest-growing multilateral development bank, and start building your AIIB track record today.