1.0 Background

The REACT 2.0 Regional Programme – Digital Innovation Fund for Energy & Climate (DIFEC) is a three-year Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) initiative designed to unlock the potential of digital technologies to accelerate clean energy access, strengthen climate resilience, and improve enterprise performance across multiple African markets. DIFEC targets early-stage and growth-stage enterprises developing digital solutions under the DIFEC thematic areas – refer to Annex 1.

The programme operates two funding windows:

• Window 1 – Growing Digital Innovation (early stage, MVP to validation) and
• Window 2 – Scaling Digital Innovation (growth stage with commercial traction). 

DIFEC addresses structural barriers such as limited early-stage finance, fragmented markets, and regulatory complexity by providing catalytic grants, venture building support, technical assistance, investment facilitation, and ecosystem strengthening to build a pipeline of scalable, investable digital solutions. The programme emphasizes secure, resilient, and sustainable digital ecosystems—promoting secure by design approaches, responsible data governance, cybersecurity awareness, and alignment with GDPR and the AU Malabo Convention where applicable, especially when digital systems underpin essential services.

Key objectives include improving access to clean energy, strengthening climate mitigation and adaptation, enhancing gender inclusion, promoting energy efficiency, and fostering the replicability and cross-border scalability of digital innovations across SSA.

2.0 Objective of the assignment

The objective of this consultancy is to conduct independent technical digital innovation due diligence on shortlisted applicants under the DIFEC programme. The Digital Specialist will assess technology architecture, technical maturity, cybersecurity, data governance, interoperability, digital scalability, and digital‑specific operational risks. Findings will support AECF’s investment decisions and guide the design of tailored technical assistance for selected enterprises.

3.0 Scope of the evaluation

The Consultant will conduct Technical Digital Due Diligence assessments for up to 15 shortlisted applicants, focusing on the technology, architecture, and digital systems that underpin each enterprise’s product or platform. The assessment areas are outlined below.

Digital Technical Due Diligence 

The Consultant will conduct a detailed technical audit of the enterprise’s product or platform’s full digital architecture. Activities include:

1. Architecture Review: analysis of software stacks, hardware dependencies, IoT devices, sensors, network architecture, cloud infrastructure, APIs, data pipelines, and integration layers.
2. Technical Maturity Assessment: evaluating the current state of development, including MVP validation, beta testing results, system stability, performance benchmarks, technology readiness levels, and product‑roadmap feasibility.
3. Interoperability Evaluation: assessing the ability of the digital solution to integrate with relevant energy or climate‑related systems, including SHS technologies, mini‑grid platforms, smart meters, remote monitoring systems, enterprise software (ERP/CRM), or other digital public infrastructure.
4. Cybersecurity Assessment: reviewing security architecture, encryption standards, authentication systems, role‑based access controls, vulnerability management processes, incident‑response protocols, secure‑by‑design implementation, and risks of cyber‑physical interference in energy or climate systems.
5. Data Governance Assessment: assessing data‑collection practices, data storage and retention, cross‑border data transfer, data classification, user consent mechanisms, and alignment with applicable data‑protection frameworks, including GDPR/Malabo principles.
6. Digital Risk Evaluation: identifying key vulnerabilities, including privacy risks, system reliability challenges, dependency risks, technology obsolescence, infrastructure constraints, or risks associated with scale.

The Consultant will evaluate all assigned applications and provide: 

1. Technical scoring and qualitative commentary,
2. Justification for advancing or not advancing each application,
3. Identification of digital strengths, risks, and scalability considerations,
4. Recommendations for validation, prototyping, or technical strengthening.
5. Flag digital issues with financial, legal, or E&S implications to relevant specialists.
6. Provide clarifications to AECF and other consultants regarding digital architecture, data flows, or technical operations.
7. Participate in cross‑disciplinary moderation sessions as required.

Coordination with other Due Diligence specialists

This consultancy focuses exclusively on digital and technical due diligence. The Consultant shall coordinate with other specialists responsible for:

• Business and financial due diligence, including commercial viability, market analysis, and financial modeling;
• Verification of match-funding requirements;
• Legal reviews, including licensing, contracts, or regulatory compliance;
• Environmental and social (E&S) risk assessments.

The Consultant will flag any technical findings with implications for other workstreams and participate in cross-disciplinary moderation sessions as required.

4.0 Approach and methodology

The consultant will apply a structured approach combining:

Desktop Review 

1. Analysis of applicant submissions, digital artifacts, technical documents, architecture diagrams, and product roadmap materials.
2. Preliminary assessment of cybersecurity posture, data-governance systems, interoperability capacity, and digital deployment challenges.
3. Review of technology stack suitability and platform scalability relative to the intended deployment contexts across Sub-Saharan Africa

Technical Model Review  

1. Examination of core digital workflows, system dependencies, technology architecture, and platform scalability.
2. Assessment of system robustness, modularity, and technical coherence across product components.

Site Visits, Interviews, and Verification 

1. Interviews with technical teams to validate assumptions, deployment evidence, and governance processes.
2. Verification of system performance through demos or technical artifacts.

 Digital Risk Assessment 

1. Identification of risks requiring mitigation or further specialist review.
2. Assessment of cybersecurity exposure, data‑management risks, digital operational risks, and technology‑scaling constraints

Consolidated Reporting 

1. Preparation of clear, comprehensive reports with evidence‑based conclusions, scoring, and recommendations.
2. Full Digital Due Diligence Reports for each enterprise covering all workstreams.
3. Digital Risk Assessment Notes outlining vulnerabilities and proposed mitigation measures.
4. Technical Scoring Sheets
5. Shortlisting recommendations from a digital/technical lens.
6. Technical assistance recommendations to strengthen product readiness or digital infrastructure.

Participation in internal review panels or Investment Committee discussions, if requested.

5.0 Deliverables

The consultant will submit the following deliverables:

Inception Report 

1. Methodology, workplan, tools, and interview guides.
2. Evaluation Framework Input, including technical assessment criteria for digital innovation.
3. Due within 5 working days of contract signing.

Due Diligence Templates 

1. Complete AECF templates
2. Brief technical validation for shortlisted enterprises.
3. Incorporating AECF feedback.

Technical Review Reports (one per applicant) 

1. Full assessment of digital business, technical architecture, cybersecurity, data governance, operational capacity, and digital risks
2. Specific risks, vulnerabilities, and prioritized mitigations (e.g., secure by design improvements, data governance upgrades)
3. Written assessment of assigned applications, including scoring and comments.

Shortlisting Recommendations 

1. Technical justification for advancing or rejecting applications.

Investment Memos (one per applicant) 

1. Concise summaries of key findings, risk ratings, and recommendations for the Investment Committee.
2. Presentation to AECF REACT Portfolio and Internal Investment Review Committee upon request.

6.0 Reporting and Investment memo

The consultant will:

1. Prepare detailed due diligence reports consolidating findings
2. Produce concise investment memos using AECF templates, highlighting key risks, mitigation measures, and readiness for award.
3. Identify technical assistance needs for each applicant.

The assignment will be implemented over 20-30 working days, distributed across April to June 2026. All reports and memos will be prepared in English and submitted using an AECF-approved format

7.0 Qualifications

The assignment is to be undertaken by a qualified individual. The consultant must demonstrate the following minimum qualifications:

Core Qualifications

• Master’s degree in computer science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Data Science, Energy Informatics, or related discipline.
• Minimum 8–10 years’ experience in digital technology development, platform architecture, digital innovation ecosystems, or digital technical due diligence.
• Demonstrated experience assessing digital platforms in energy, climate, agriculture, or fintech sectors.
• Strong understanding of digital systems, including IoT, cloud computing, data analytics, AI/ML models, API‑driven platforms, and enterprise software.  

Required Skills and Expertise

Technical:

• Strong knowledge of:
• Digital platforms for energy systems (PAYGo, smart metering, IoT monitoring)
• Data analytics and AI-enabled platforms
• Cloud architectures and APIs
• Digital finance platforms
• Climate data platforms and remote sensing technologies
• Enterprise digital systems (ERP, CRM, digital operations)
• Expertise in cybersecurity design, standards, and digital‑risk assessment.
• Solid understanding of data‑governance frameworks and privacy regulations (GDPR/Malabo).
• Proven ability to assess interoperability and technical scalability across African markets.
• High‑quality analytical writing and reporting skills.

Additional Advantage

• Experience with innovation challenge funds, DFIs, climate/energy digital ecosystems, or start‑up due diligence in Sub‑Saharan Africa.

8.0 Proposal submission

Qualified consultants are invited to submit a proposal that includes the following:

• A comprehensive description of the consultant’s understanding of the Terms of Reference, indicating any major inconsistency or deficiency in the Terms of Reference, and proposed amendments. Methodology and work plan for performing the assignment.
• The proposed team members and a description of their respective roles
• A complete work plan for the entire review period.
• Detailed reference list indicating the scope and magnitude of similar assignments. Include signed reference letters from 3 previous institutions/programmes.
• Relevant services that have been done in the past five (5) years
• The technical and financial proposals are to be submitted separately in PDF format. NO LINKS
• The financial proposal (in USD) clearly shows the budgeted cost for the consulting firm to perform the work within the scope outlined above.

All documents related to the technical proposal must be in one document with a clear table of contents

N/B: SUBMITTING THE FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL DOCUMENT AS ONE DOCUMENT WILL AUTOMATICALLY LEAD TO DISQUALIFICATION OF THE APPLICANT.

9.0 Pricing

The AECF is obliged by the Kenyan tax authorities to withhold taxes on service contract fees and to ensure that VAT is charged where applicable. Applicants are advised to ensure they have a clear understanding of their tax position with regard to the provisions of Kenyan tax legislation when developing their proposals.

10.0 Evaluation criteria

Mandatory Requirements for individual consultants:

1. Passport/National Identification of the consultant.
2. CV demonstrating relevant qualifications and experience.
3. Valid Tax Compliance certificate (where applicable).

N/B: FAILURE TO ATTACH AND ADHERE TO THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION

An evaluation committee will be formed by the AECF and may include employees of the businesses it supports. All members will be bound by the same standards of confidentiality. The consultant should ensure that they fully address all criteria for comprehensive evaluation.

The AECF may request and receive clarification from any consultant when evaluating a proposal. The evaluation committee may invite some or all of the consultants to appear before it to clarify their proposals. In such an event, the evaluation committee may consider such clarifications in evaluating proposals.

In making the final selection of a qualified bidder, the technical quality of the proposal will be weighted 70% in the evaluation. Only the financial proposal of those bidders who qualify technically will be opened. The financial proposal will be weighted at 30%, and the proposals will be ranked by total points scored.

The mandatory and desirable criteria against which proposals will be evaluated are identified in the table below.

11.0 Application details

The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The AECF considers all interested candidates based on merit without regard to race, gender, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

• Interested consultants are requested to submit their technical and financial proposal via the eprocurement portal https://procurement.aecfafrica.org/ by 8^th May 2026, 5 pm (EAT).
• All questions should be directed to the procurement email aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org by 30th April 2026, 5 pm (EAT).
• The subject of the email should be ‘’TECHNICAL DIGITAL INNOVATION EXPERT FOR DUE DILIGENCE REACT 2.0 REGIONAL DIGITAL INNOVATION FUND FOR ENERGY & CLIMATE (DIFEC)”. The AECF shall not be liable for not opening proposals submitted with a different subject or for not responding to questions that did not meet the indicated deadline.

12.0 Disclaimer

AECF reserves the right to determine the structure of the process, the number of short-listed participants, the right to withdraw from the proposal process, the right to change this timetable at any time without notice, and reserves the right to withdraw this tender at any time, without prior notice and without liability to compensate and/or reimburse any party.

The AECF does not charge an application fee for participation in the tendering process and has not appointed any agents or intermediaries to facilitate applications. Applicants are advised to contact the AECF Procurement Department directly.