Registration Of Suppliers for the Provision of Services 2026

Written by AECF

1.0 Registration Of Suppliers for the Provision of Services 2026

AECF intends to update its supplier register for goods and services for FY 2026. Interested firms are invited to apply for pre-qualification, indicating the category of goods or services they wish to be considered.

AECF invites applications from interested and eligible firms to submit their expressions of interest for pre-qualification to supply goods and services by 13th March 2026, 5:00 pm EAT.

Complete tender documents should be submitted by email to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org, with the pre-qualification category reference number as the subject line. The subject should be in the format below: AECF 2026 Prequalification: AECF/NG/PQ/012/2026

2.0 Categories of goods and services

The table below shows the categories of goods and services with their reference codes.

Category Reference No. Description
  Provision of Services
AECF/PQ/012/2026-001 Provision of Food and Catering Services
AECF/PQ/012/2026-002 Provision of printing/publication and related services, including media publications and graphic design
AECF/PQ/012/2026-003 Provision of Hospitality services, including lodging, conferencing, and catering
AECF/PQ/012/2026-004 Provision of transport services such as taxis, car hire, and haulage.
AECF/PQ/012/2026-005 Provision of media coverage services, such as video coverage and photography services

3.0 Prequalification instructions

Introduction: AECF in Nigeria intends to pre-qualify firms to provide services.

Prequalification is open to eligible firms/Individuals as indicated in the instructions.

Prequalification objective: The main objective of this part is to qualify firms for the provision of services under the relevant tenders/quotations and Proposals as and when required during the FY 2026-28.

Language:  All information requested for pre-qualification must be provided in English.

Experience: Prospective firms must have carried out successful provision of similar services to institutions of similar size and complexity for the last three years. Potential firms must demonstrate the willingness and commitment to meet the tender criteria.

Terms and conditions: Eligible and interested firms must read and agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the prequalification exercise.

Eligible firms: All current AECF’s employees, its associates, and their relatives are not eligible to participate in the pre- qualification process. Any possible conflict of interest must be declared in the application.

Additional check by AECF: AECF, at its own discretion, shall confirm further eligibility of prospective suppliers by carrying out restricted parties screening as per the organization’s own policy and procedure;

Responsiveness: In order to be considered for pre-qualification, prospective suppliers must submit all the information required, including a sworn-in statement in section 5.0

Submission and deadline for pre-qualification documents: A completed set of pre-qualification documents may be submitted by interested firms or individuals via the following email address: aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org, with all supporting documents in PDF format.
Deadline for submission is March 13, 2026, by 5:00 pm EAT

Any questions regarding the pre-qualification should be sent to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org at least one week before the submission deadline.

Pre-qualification fee: Interested firms are not required to pay any fee to participate in the pre-qualification exercise.

Additional information: AECF reserves the right to request additional information from prospective firms.

Invitation to tender/quotation: Bidding documents (Tender/Quotation) will be made available only to those bidders whose pre-qualification documents are accepted by AECF after the completion of the pre- qualification process.

Inquiries during the pre-qualification process: Inquiries, canvassing, or direct phone calls are not allowed during the evaluation of the pre-qualification process.

Notification of successful/unsuccessful firms: Only successful pre-qualified firms will be notified by email due to the volume of responses. The selection process is expected to be completed one month after the prequalification submission deadline.

4.0 Pre-qualification guidelines/regulations and criteria

4.1: Pre-qualification data form

The attached questionnaire forms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and appendix 1 of the sworn statement section 5.0 are to be completed by prospective suppliers/ firms who wish to be pre-qualified for the specified tender category.

4.2 Incomplete Application

The application forms which are not properly filled, submitted in the prescribed manner and submitted after deadline will not be considered.

4.3 The pre-qualification data

It is understood and agreed that the pre-qualification data of the prospective firms is to be used by AECF in determining, according to its sole judgment and discretion, the qualifications of the prospective firm to perform in respect to the category as described by the client.

4.4 Qualification requirements

  • Prospective firms will not be considered qualified unless, in the judgment of AECF, they possess the capability, experience, qualified personnel, available and sustainable equipment, and net current assets or working capital sufficient to satisfactorily execute the contract for the provision of services.
  • The firm must have a business address and must be registered in Nigeria, with a certificate of Registration, Incorporation/Memorandum, and Articles of Association, whichever applicable, and copies of the same should be attached.
  • The firm must show proof that it is registered with the appropriate regulatory tax body.
  • The firm must submit its company profile

AECF may verify the submitted information as part of the evaluation.

4.5 Essential criteria for pre-qualification

Experience:

  • The prospective bidder shall have at least three years’ experience in the provision of services and allied items. A potential supplier/firm should show competence, willingness, and capacity to service the contract.
  • Prospective suppliers should have special experience and capability to organize, supply and provision of services at short notice.

Personnel: The names and pertinent information, and the title of the key personnel responsible for executing the contract, must be indicated in Form 1.

Financial condition: The suppliers must provide the bank details for the company under its business name.

Past performance: Past performance will be given due consideration during the pre-qualification evaluation. Letters of reference from past customers should be included in Form 5, where applicable

Sworn statement – Appendix 1: Application must include a sworn Statement, Appendix 1, section 5.0, by the tender applicant certifying the accuracy of the information given.

5.0 Withdrawal of pre-qualification

AECF reserve the right to reject the tender from a pre-qualified firm even though the firm was initially pre-qualified, should a condition arise between the time the firm has tendered and the bid opening date which in the opinion of the AECF could substantially change the performance and qualification of the bidder or his ability to perform such as but not limited to bankruptcy, change in ownership or new commitment.

6.0 Pre-qualification criteria

No. Information Required Form Number Point Score
1 Prequalification Data Form 1 10
2 Prequalification Documents Form 2 20
3 Supervisory Personnel Form 3 10
4 Financial Position Form 4 10
5 Past Experience and Reference Form 5 15
6 Business Ownership Questionnaire Form 6 5
7 Litigation History Form 7 10
8 Bank And Tax Details Form 8 10
9 Sworn Statement Appendix 1 10
Total 100

Click here to download the annexes and forms

7.0 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.

Terms of Reference for Consultancy Services to Develop Digital Human Stories on Women’s Empowerment

Written by AECF

1.0 Background

The AECF is a leading development organization that supports innovative enterprises in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors, aiming to reduce rural poverty, promote climate-resilient communities, and create jobs.

We catalyze the private sector by surfacing and commercializing new ideas, business models, and technologies that increase agricultural productivity, improve farmers’ incomes, expand access to clean energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance resilience to climate change. We finance high-risk businesses that struggle to access commercial funding; we are committed to working in frontier markets, fragile contexts, and high-risk economies where few mainstream financing institutions dare to go.

To date, we have supported over 576 businesses in 26 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, impacted more than 36 million lives, and created over 38,000 direct jobs.

AECF is headquartered in Kenya and has offices in Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Sudan, Benin, and Somalia.

2.0 About Investing in Women in South Sudan (IIW-SS) Programme

Investing in Women in South Sudan (IIW-SS) is a five-year gender equality and economic inclusion programme (June 2021 to July 2026) being implemented by AECF with the generous support of Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The programme responds to the ongoing poverty, food insecurity, conflict, and climate vulnerability of female small-scale farmers in South Sudan, who are excluded from opportunities in agricultural value chains that could increase incomes, reduce risk and climate exposure, and transform their livelihoods.

Specifically, IIW-SS works in the sorghum, groundnut, shea, honey, and sesame value chains in the Central Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria states by investing in women-focused businesses and women entrepreneurs’ associations to create climate-smart, gender-sensitive value chain opportunities for thousands of rural women and youth from poor and food-insecure households.

The programme seeks to:

  • Reduced gender-specific barriers for women’s participation in agricultural value chains, including the unpaid care burden, in Eastern and Central Equatoria States in South Sudan.
  • Increased adoption of gender-sensitive, climate-smart agricultural practices among women farmers in the Eastern and Central Equatoria States of South Sudan.
  • Improved employability and livelihoods for women in agriculture and food systems in Eastern and Central Equatoria States in South Sudan.

The immediate outcomes of the programme are.

  • Increased capacity and knowledge provided to farmers to reduce barriers to accessing productive resources, e.g., land, information, capital, and access to human rights.
  • Improved enabling environment for women, including the security of their assets.
  • Increased capacity and knowledge to conduct climate-smart agricultural practices that are gender- sensitive.
  • Increased production and productivity of crops and livestock that are grown and kept by women.
  • Farmers reduce their post-harvest losses and increase production, processing, and marketing of their surplus produce and products

The IIW-SS was designed with a specific emphasis on gender equality. The launch of the Feminist International Assistance Policy in 2017 led to an increased focus on the effective inclusion of women in programme outcomes.

3.0 About the assignment

Knowledge Management (KM) is a key component for the IIW-SS project anchored on building a profile of documenting experiences (stories of change, outcome harvesting, and success stories), for the MSMEs reached in the targeted Eastern and Central Equatoria states and making these available to champions and sector actors across in South Sudan interested in women economic empowerment and reducing systemic gender inequalities that women entrepreneurs, their suppliers and women formal workers face in South Sudan.

The goal of the project is to enhance the economic empowerment of women and their enterprises in key value chains across the Eastern and Central Equatoria states. We appreciate that collecting and documenting human-interest stories is essential to reflecting the transformational journey that the target women and businesses have achieved with the project’s support.

Ultimately, the stories will stream into stories of success and lessons learnt. Further, the stories will create visibility, credibility, and clarity around the IIW-SS project interventions and outcomes.

4.0 Scope of work

The assignment involves capturing stories from program participants in Eastern and Central Equatoria states targeted by the project. To accomplish the intended objective, the consultant, under the overall supervision of AECF, will:

Collaborate with IIW-SS to define the scope of stories for each target value chain, identify and develop themes, and agree on the investee end-beneficiaries and project participants to be visited.

The consultant will provide comprehensive documentation, storytelling, and multimedia production services to capture program impact across all investees. The scope includes:

  1. In-depth beneficiary stories
    • Develop eight (8) detailed beneficiary stories — one per investee.
    • Conduct interviews with beneficiaries, investees, and relevant stakeholders.
    • Capture high-quality photos to accompany each story.
    • Produce polished narratives highlighting impact, challenges, transformation, and program contribution.
  2. Program documentary video
    • Produce one high-quality documentary showcasing the overall program journey and outcomes.
    • Include field footage, interviews, b-roll, voice-over narration, and graphics as needed.
    • Deliver a 5-minute professionally edited film optimized for both events and digital platforms.
  3. Short video stories
    • Produce four (4) short-form videos (1–3 minutes each).
    • Each video will highlight a unique success case, thematic insight, or specific impact on investees.
    • Provide optimized outputs for social media channels (horizontal and vertical formats, where needed).
  4. Learning articles
    • Develop four (4) learning articles based on program insights, case evidence, and thematic analysis.
    • Engage with program teams to extract lessons learned, innovations, challenges, and recommendations.
    • Produce publish-ready content aligned with donors and the institutional tone of voice.
  5. Success story infographics
    • Design four to eight (4–8) visually engaging infographics.
    • Each infographic will summarize key data, impact metrics, and narrative highlights.
    • Deliver in editable and web-friendly formats.
  6. Stories compendium report
    • Produce one (1) comprehensive compendium compiling all stories, insights, visuals, and learnings.
    • Ensure structured layout, professional design, and alignment with brand guidelines.
    • Provide a final print-ready and digital version.

5.0 Specific deliverables and expected output

  • In-Depth beneficiary stories (8): Eight written beneficiary impact stories (one per investee), each accompanied by high-res photographs.
  • Program documentary (1 video): One professionally produced documentary (5 minutes) capturing the program’s overall impact, including interviews, field footage, and supporting visuals.
  • Short video stories (4 videos): Four short video stories (1–3 minutes each), optimized for digital platforms and highlighting key successes or thematic areas.
  • Learning articles (4 articles): Four well-researched learning articles documenting insights, lessons, and thematic learnings from the program.
  • Success story infographics (4–8 graphics): Between four and eight infographics summarizing key impact data and narrative highlights for use in reports, social media, and presentations.
  • Stories compendium (1 report): One professionally designed compendium report compiling all stories, visuals, and lessons from the assignment, provided in both print-ready and digital formats.

6.0 Duration

The Assignment will be conducted over three months.

7.0 Reporting

The consultant will work with and report to the IIW-SS project team in conjunction with the communications unit.

8.0 Qualifications and experience

The firm should have:

  • The firm must demonstrate that its personnel possess a bachelor’s degree in a related field (development studies, journalism, communications, media studies).
  • At least 5 years of experience in writing, editing, and documenting human interest stories for diverse audiences.
  • Proven experience in investigative journalism and crafting human impact stories supported by statistics and data, specifically within the agribusiness sector, with a focus on emergency settings and refugee contexts.
  • Demonstrated understanding of gender lens investing principles, strategies, and best practices, particularly at the intersection of gender and agribusiness.
  • Strong research and analytical skills to gather information, conduct interviews, and derive key insights.
  • Experience collaborating with international organizations, especially those involved in development, humanitarian aid, or the private sector.
  • Knowledge and familiarity with rural settings and current trends, challenges, and opportunities within the Eastern and Central Equatoria states
  • Previous success in documenting similar stories or contributing to gender-focused initiatives; demonstrating the ability to manage complexities and deliver high-quality results.
  • Proven ability to manage timelines, prioritize tasks effectively, and ensure deliverables are completed within agreed scopes.

9.0 Evaluation criteria

MANDATORY EVALUATION CRITERIA.

Mandatory Requirements for firms:

  1. Company profile.
  2. Trading license, Certificate of incorporation, Certificate of Registration, and other statutory documents.
  3. Valid Tax Compliance certificate or its equivalent.

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 to support the process. All members will be bound by the same standards of confidentiality. The consultant should ensure they fully address all criteria for a comprehensive evaluation.

The AECF may request and receive clarification from any consultant during the evaluation of 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 selecting the qualified bidder, the technical quality of the proposal will be weighted at 80% under the evaluation criteria. Only the financial proposal of those bidders who qualify technically will be opened. The financial proposal will be given a 20% weighting, and proposals will be ranked by total points scored. The mandatory and desirable criteria for evaluating proposals are listed in the table below.

  NO. CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT   Weighted Award  
·      Technical Proposal 80
An understanding of the terms of reference
1. Demonstrate understanding of the assignment and expected deliverables 10
2. Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in developing digital stories 10
3. Demonstrated understanding of the project context (Eastern and Central Equatoria states) 5
Methodology and work plan that will deliver the best value on the assignment  
4. Soundness and feasibility of the proposed technical approach and methodology that provide comprehensive findings and analysis to document investee stories, achievements, lessons learned, publications, and presentations 20
5. Realistic and well-structured timeline, clear identification of deliverables and milestones, and coherence with the intended program goals 10
Qualification and Experience  
6. Qualification and experience of the consultant/team and evidence of relevant certification 10
7. Demonstrated experience and relevant services are undertaken by the applicant in past engagements, with evidence linking to previous work done/completion certificate 10
8. All the required registration and certification documents, and at least 3 signed reference letters of similar work done 5
· Financial proposal: Detailed showing the level of effort of the team, clarity, relevance, and reality to market value/ value for money of cost for the assignment (inclusive of any applicable tax, reimbursable, and travel where applicable).   20
  Total Score   100 

10.0 Proposal submission

Interested companies/individuals must submit TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL PROPOSALS (as separate documents).

10.1. A technical proposal of a maximum of 15 pages (excluding annexes) with the following:

  • A profile of the lead consultant (max. 3 pages) explaining their suitability for the work.
  • CVs of the team’s composition, expertise, and their role in the assignment.
  • A comprehensive description of the consultant’s understanding of the Terms of Reference, indicating any major inconsistency or deficiency with proposed amendments.
  • Proposed methodology and work plan for executing the assignment.
  • Detailed reference list indicating the scope and magnitude of similar assignments.
  • Letters of reference/recommendation from previous companies/assignments.
  • Sample of past work: applicants are requested to submit a sample of three previous projects or links to the projects to demonstrate the experiences required by the Terms of Reference.
  • Registration and other relevant statutory documents.

10.2. A financial proposal

Financial proposal in USD clearly showing the proposed team member, roles, proposed days, and the proposed professional fee. The financial proposal shall also indicate reimbursables, if required. (travel, meals, communication, etc.)

11.0 Pricing

AECF is required by the Kenyan tax authorities to withhold tax on service contract fees and to ensure that VAT at 16% is charged where applicable. Applicants are advised to ensure they have a clear understanding of their tax position under Kenya tax legislation when developing their proposals.

12.0 Application

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

  • Interested consultants must submit their technical and financial proposal to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org by 3rd March 2026, 5:00 pm (EAT).
  • All questions should be directed to the procurement email by 24th February 2026, 5:00 pm (EAT).
  • The email’s subject should be: Consultancy to Develop Human Interest Stories on Women’s Empowerment under the Investing in Women South Sudan initiative. The AECF shall not be liable for failing to open proposals submitted under a different subject or for responding to questions that did not meet the indicated deadline.

13.0 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.

Terms of Reference for Consultancy Services for the Final Evaluation of the Seed for Impact (SIP) Programme-Tanzania

Written by AECF

1.0 Background

The AECF is a leading development organization that supports innovative enterprises in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors with the aim of reducing rural poverty, promoting climate-resilient communities, and creating jobs.

We catalyze the private sector by surfacing and commercializing new ideas, business models, and technologies designed to increase agricultural productivity, improve farmer incomes, expand clean energy access, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve resilience to the effects of climate change. We finance high-risk businesses that struggle to access commercial funding; we are committed to working in frontier markets, fragile contexts, and high-risk economies where few mainstream financing institutions dare to go.

To date, we have supported over 576 businesses in 26 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, impacted more than 36 million lives, and created over 38,000 direct jobs.

AECF is headquartered in Kenya and has offices in Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Sudan, Benin, and Somalia.

2.0 About Seeds for Impact Programme (SIP) – Tanzania Window

The Seeds for Impact Programme, originally a six-year initiative funded by AGRA and SFSA and operating in Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, and Mozambique, expanded its reach in Tanzania with dedicated support from the Swedish Government and is now implemented by AECF. The programme aims to transform Tanzania’s seed sector by enabling smallholder farmers (SHFs) to access certified, climate-resilient, and high-yielding crop varieties, particularly common beans, sorghum, and sesame.

The programme combines performance-based grants with structured technical assistance to private seed enterprises, leveraging private co-investment to address systemic constraints in seed production, processing, and distribution. The programme prioritizes underserved and high-potential agroecological regions, including Mbeya, Songwe, Kilimanjaro, Manyara, Dodoma, Katavi, Ruvuma, Lindi, and Mtwara. Core programme features include:

  • Scaling production and commercialization of publicly released certified climate-resilient seed varieties.
  • Infrastructure investments (warehouses, processing lines, logistics).
  • Technical assistance covering governance, seed production, quality assurance, marketing, and ESG compliance.
  • Strong emphasis on gender, youth inclusion, and private sector additionality.

3.0 Purpose & Scope of the evaluation

The final evaluation of the SIP programme will provide a thorough assessment of its overall impact against the Theory of Change, emphasizing its effectiveness in achieving established objectives and the positive changes experienced by target groups. The evaluation will provide a clear and detailed overview of the programme’s successes, the challenges encountered, and any gaps in implementation. In addition, the evaluation will assess lessons learned throughout the programme, providing insights to inform future initiatives and strengthen evidence-based decision-making. It will also evaluate the sustainability of the programme’s outcomes and identify strategies to ensure the benefits endure beyond the programme’s duration.

Specifically, the evaluation will:

  • Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the measures and activities implemented in the programme, and evaluate its achievements against the programme logframe
  • Examine how programme design and implementation responded to contextual, market, and institutional dynamics.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of blended finance and technical assistance in strengthening investee performance.
  • Assess the sustainability, scalability, and potential for systemic change in the seed sector.
  • Provide actionable recommendations for future programme design, implementation, and measurement results.
  • Identify any gaps during implementation.
  • Identify and analyze the underlying causes for any objectives that were not fully achieved (if).
  • Provide Lessons Learned and offer recommendations for future

4.0 Scope of the Evaluation

The scope of the Final Evaluation is to provide the programme and its stakeholders with an independent assessment of all programme components and the progress made towards the outlined objectives. The Final Evaluation will review the Relevance of Design, Effectiveness, Efficiency of planning and implementation, Impact, and Potential for Sustainability and Replication. Issues or factors that have impeded or accelerated the implementation of the programme or any of its components, including actions taken and resolutions made, should be highlighted.

The evaluation will go beyond reporting the quantitative outcomes and examine how results were measured, particularly at the beneficiary level. It will analyze the robustness of the methodologies used to estimate indirect job creation and household income, and examine the assumptions applied that influence the measurement approach.

5.0 Objectives of the assignment

The specific objectives of the Final Evaluation are to:

  • Assess programme performance against the approved log frame, targets, and impact indicators.
  • Analyze the contribution of SIP 2.0 to improved access to certified climate-resilient seeds for smallholder farmers.
  • Evaluate and report any verifiable system change that has been realized through the SIP intervention.
  • Examine enterprise-level outcomes, including business growth, productivity, revenues, employment, and governance.
  • Identify factors that enabled or constrained programme implementation and achievement results.
  • Assess cross-cutting results related to gender equality, youth inclusion, and vulnerable groups.
  • Evaluate the sustainability and replicability of programme outcomes beyond donor funding.
  • Document lessons learned and provide practical recommendations for AECF, Sida, and ecosystem stakeholders.
  • Assess the difference in yield per acre between farmers using certified seeds and those using non- certified seeds
  • Evaluate the change in the affordability of certified seeds over the project period (Affordability Index)
  • Assess improvements in access to certified seeds among target farmers
  • Measure changes in income levels of target beneficiaries, including seed producers and farmers using certified seeds.
  • Determine whether the nutritional status of target households has improved.
  • Clear treatment vs non- treatment farmers comparisons(especially for yield, incomen, affordability)

Overall, the programme aims to achieve the following results during its duration:

Table 2. SIP impact indicators

Activity Target(s)
Commercialized climate-resilient crop varieties 8
Metric tons of quality seeds and climate-smart crop varieties produced. 4,000
Metric tons of seeds sold to smallholder farmers. 3,000
Direct jobs created and sustained. 200
Smallholder farmers have access to seeds of improved, climate-smart crop varieties. 8,000
Companies onboarded, of which 1 was owned or operated by women or youth entrepreneurs. 3
New private sector investments leveraged. $800,000
BDS consultants contracted and seconded to train and mentor investee staff on technical aspects of quality seed production. 2
Hectares under commercial/certified seeds production
Metric tons of certified/commercial seeds are produced and sold 4,000MT

6.0 Evaluation & Guiding questions

This Final Evaluation will be conducted in accordance with the AECF Evaluation standards and will use the widely accepted OECD/DAC Evaluation criteria. An initial set of questions that should guide the Final Evaluation in assessing the Programme against each given criterion has been developed as follows:

Table 3. Evaluation Questions.

Criteria Evaluation Questions
Relevance
  • To what extent was the Seed Programme aligned with Tanzania’s MSME ecosystem needs and priorities?
  • How well did the programme address early-stage financing and capacity gaps for seed-stage enterprises?
  • To what extent was the programme design responsive to the needs of women- and youth-led businesses?
Coherence
  • How well did the programme align with national policies, private sector initiatives, and other donor-funded programmes?
  • To what extent did the programme complement or overlap with similar enterprise support initiatives?
Effectiveness
  • To what extent has the Programme achieved its intended objectives and targets?
  • What progress has been made towards key Programme outcomes and indicators?
  • What factors facilitated or hindered the achievement of intended results
  • How effectively were Programme strategies adjusted based on real-time feedback and learning?
  • How flexible was the Programme in adapting to emerging needs and challenges during implementation?
  • How did Programme management, governance, and decision-making structures contribute to effectiveness in implementation?
  • How effective was technical assistance in strengthening investee capacity and performance?
  • How effective was the performance-based funding?
  • Does the programme generate the expected development impact on end beneficiaries?
Criteria Evaluation Questions
  • Does the programme generate the expected development impact on end beneficiaries?
Efficiency
  • How efficiently were financial and human resources allocated and utilized?
  • Were the Programme’s interventions cost-effective compared to alternative seed support mechanisms?
  • Were there any areas where resources could have been used more effectively?
  • Were implementation timelines and delivery mechanisms appropriate for seed enterprises?
Impact
  • What are the direct and indirect effects of the Programme?
  • To what extent has the Programme met its goals?
  • Is the impact achieved the same as what was achieved? Or is it less or more?
  • How has the programme impacted the business performance of the supported investees? This should focus on their revenues, profits, jobs, branches, geographic coverage, products, technology, etc.
  • Is there an achieved impact that was not measured and reported
  • What unintended positive or negative effects emerged?
  • Did SIP crowd in or crowd out private investment?
Sustainability
  • To what extent are programme benefits likely to be sustained beyond programme closure?
  • How prepared are investees for follow-on financing or scale-up
  • What institutional or ecosystem-level changes support long-term sustainability?
  • How likely are the Programme’s benefits, skills, and resources to be sustained after funding ends?
  • What are the key risks or barriers to sustaining Programme outcomes, and how can they be mitigated?
Cross-cutting objectives:

Gender, youth,

vulnerable

persons
  • To what extent did the Programme influence gender equality, youth participation, and inclusion of vulnerable persons in the seed sector?
  • What results were achieved, and what approaches were most effective?
Learning  & Adaptation,

Scaling Up & Replication:
  • What lessons can inform future seed-stage programmes?
  • Which programme elements show potential for scale-up or replication?
  • How can results measurement and post-investment tracking be improved?
  • How did SIP investees and farmers cope with shocks- climate, market volatility, policy and regulatory, and macroeconomic factors (inflation, FX, input costs, etc)

Evaluation Audience

  • The AECF LLC
  • SIDA
  • Investee Enterprises
  • Ecosystem stakeholders and partners

7.0 Methodology

During this final evaluation, the selected evaluation firm is invited to assess the Programme and its components against the evaluation criteria and specific evaluation questions listed above. The methodology described in this section is indicative, and the evaluation teams applying it are expected to adapt, elaborate, and integrate the approach and to propose any adjustments needed to undertake the assignment. These can include additions to the evaluation design, approaches to be adopted, an appropriate sampling strategy, data collection and analysis methods, and an evaluation framework. The proposals should also refer to methodological limitations and mitigation measures. At all times, evaluators are to adhere to the ‘principles for ensuring quality evaluations’ according to OECD/ DAC quality standards. Mixed data collection methods are recommended. The evaluation will be rolled out in three phases:

  1. Inception phase: The evaluator(s) will review key Programme documents and engage with the AECF/SIP team to finalize the evaluation objectives, questions, criteria and Against the above, the evaluator(s) will identify appropriate evidence that needs to be gathered and synthesized to fully inform the evaluation process, as well as sources of information, including key individuals to be interviewed. The output of this phase will be an inception report, which will include a methodological note and an evaluation framework presenting how each evaluation question will be addressed, data sources and data collection methods that will be used to gather additional information needed, and a set of criteria to rate the strength of the evidence collected. The inception report should not exceed 10 pages.
  2. Data collection and analysis phase: The second phase will further assess the programme and collect information and evidence that respond to the objectives and criteria set in this ToR, and align with the scope refined during the inception phase. The evaluation framework should be the guiding tool for collecting data through various methods related to the evaluation questions. A mixed-method approach will be used to combine qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. At the end of this phase, the evaluator(s) are expected to present their preliminary findings to the key audience for this evaluation.
  3. Reporting and dissemination phase: The third phase will include reporting, validating, and prioritizing findings and recommendations, and disseminating the results to AECF and its stakeholders. The evaluator(s) will submit a final evaluation report in both Word and PDF formats. The final report should not exceed 25 pages and clearly and transparently demonstrate links between review questions, data collection, analysis, findings, and conclusions. The conclusion and recommendations presented in the final report should be supported by strong evidence and will be further explained during the final presentation.

8.0 Deliverables

The consultant will produce the following deliverables:

  • Inception report: A report outlining the evaluation methodology, data collection tools, stakeholder engagement process, and updated work plan.
  • Draft report: A report presenting the evaluation findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
  • Final report: A report incorporating feedback from the AECF, including an insights paper
  • Presentation of findings: A presentation of the evaluation findings and recommendations to the AECF, SIDA, and other relevant stakeholders.

9.0 Duration of service

The service is expected to be completed within three (3) months

10.0 Reporting

The consultant will be accountable and report to the Director of Programmes, AECF, with support from the Country Senior Programme Officer.

11.0 Qualifications and experience from the Firm and Personnel

  • A consultancy firm with substantial experience (5–7 years) in conducting development and Agribusiness research, monitoring, and evaluation assignments in enterprise or MSME support
  • Proven experience in Tanzania or East Africa (understanding of the Tanzania context will be an added advantage)
  • Strong expertise in seed financing, entrepreneurship, and private sector development.
  • Demonstrated application of OECD/DAC evaluation standards.
  • Excellent analytical, facilitation, and reporting skills.
  • A team leader with an advanced degree in a relevant field such as economics, development studies, monitoring and evaluation, or a related discipline.
  • A multidisciplinary team of experts with strong technical backgrounds in programme evaluation, economics, finance, and monitoring and evaluation.
  • Demonstrated experience in applying participatory and evidence-based evaluation methodologies, in line with recognized international evaluation standards and best practices.
  • Prior experience implementing or evaluating Agribusiness donor-funded programmes in the region (experience with SIDA-funded projects will be considered an added advantage).
  • Excellent communication, analytical, and reporting skills, with the ability to present complex findings and recommendations clearly to diverse stakeholders.

Guidelines

The consultant will be expected to take responsibility for all the activities identified in the Terms of Reference (ToRs). The Technical and Financial Proposal should contain:

  1. Consultant’s interpretation of the ToRs.
  2. Complete description and elaborate explanation of the proposed methodology.
  3. Names and qualifications of allocated personnel and any other resources that the consultant will make available to execute the assignment and achieve the objectives.
  4. The financial proposal should stipulate the consultancy fees and all associated costs for the assignment, expressed in US$ and inclusive of taxes.
  5. A detailed work plan within the stipulated timeline

 

 

Mandatory Requirements for firms: –

  1. Company profile.
  2. Trading license, Certificate of incorporation, Certificate of Registration, and other statutory documents.
  3. Valid Tax Compliance certificate (Applicable to firms).
  4. Passport/National Identification of the lead consultant and key personnel

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

  1. 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 they fully address all criteria for a comprehensive evaluation.

The AECF may request and receive clarification from any consultant during the evaluation of 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 deciding on the final selection of a qualified bidder, the technical quality of the proposal will be weighted at 70% under the evaluation criteria. Only the financial proposal of those bidders who qualify technically will be opened. The financial proposal will be given a 30% weighting, and proposals will be ranked by total points scored.

The mandatory and desirable criteria for evaluating proposals are listed in the table below.

12.0 Proposal submission

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

  • An understanding of the consultancy requirements.
  • Methodology and work plan for performing the assignment.
  • Detailed reference list indicating the scope and magnitude of similar assignments.
  • Relevant services that have been done in the past five (5) years, preferably in Tanzania.
  • Signed letters of reference from 3 previous institutions/programmes.
  • Registration and other relevant statutory documents.
  • The technical and financial proposals must be submitted separately in PDF format.
  • The financial proposal (in USD) clearly shows the budgeted cost for the consulting firm to conduct the work outlined above.

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

13.0 Pricing

The AECF is obliged by the Kenyan tax authorities to withhold tax 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 under Kenya tax legislation when developing their proposals.

14.0 Evaluation criteria

MANDATORY EVALUATION CRITERIA.

  1. Mandatory Requirements for firms: –
  1. Company profile.
  2. Trading license, Certificate of incorporation, Certificate of Registration, and other statutory documents.
  3. Valid Tax Compliance certificate (Applicable to firms).
  4. Passport/National Identification of the lead consultant and key personnel

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

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

The AECF may request and receive clarification from any consultant during the evaluation of 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 deciding on the final selection of a qualified bidder, the technical quality of the proposal will be weighted at 70% under the evaluation criteria. Only the financial proposal of those bidders who qualify technically will be opened. The financial proposal will be given a 30% weighting, and proposals will be ranked by total points scored.

The mandatory and desirable criteria for evaluating proposals are listed in the table below.

No. Criteria for Assessment Marks
1 Understanding of the terms of reference 10
Description of the service to be provided 5
Understanding of what AECF is expecting from the work 5
2 Methodology and work plan 20
Relevance of the methodology proposed to the needs of the assignment 10
Adequacy of the work plan, including key deliverables and capacity to deliver within a realistic timeline based on the consultancy days designated for the task 10
3 Technical experience of staff offered 40
Relevant tertiary level qualification and years of professional experience of the proposed team; and demonstrated Team Leader’s expertise in one of the technical areas, as well as expertise and demonstrated experience in designing evaluations

methodology and data collection tools, and demonstrated experience in leading similar reviews/evaluations.

 5
Prior experience in evaluating programmes of a similar nature and scope, including a

reference list indicating the scope and magnitude of similar assignments.

 10
Experience in conducting programme evaluations for donor-funded programmes, including demonstrated experience in evaluation report writing. 10
Evidence of at least 7 years of similar previous experience in the financial inclusion sector, MSMEs in Tanzania, or a similar context, with demonstrable competence in private-sector investments and access to finance for women, youth, and producers. 10
Provide the registration and tax clearance certification from the country where the assignment will take place. 5
4 Financial Proposal

Clarity, relevance, reality to the market of value/value for money of cost for the assignment (inclusive of any applicable tax)

 30
Total Score 100

15.0 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 firms/consultants or consortia are requested to submit their technical and financial proposal to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org by 23rd February 2026, 5 pm (EAT).
  • All questions should be directed to the procurement email by 13th February 2026, 5 pm (EAT).
  • The subject of the email should be ‘’FINAL EVALUATION OF THE SEED FOR IMPACT 2026”. The AECF shall not be liable for not opening proposals submitted under a different subject or for responding to questions that did not meet the indicated deadline.

16.0 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.

Termes de référence pour l’étude de référence du programme – Investir dans les femmes au Bénin et au Burkina Faso

Written by AECF

1.0 L’Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund

L’AECF, LLC (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) est une organisation de développement à but non lucratif de premier plan qui soutient les entreprises innovantes des secteurs de l’agroalimentaire et des énergies renouvelables dans le but de réduire la pauvreté rurale, de promouvoir des communautés résilientes face au climat et de créer des emplois.

L’AECF s’attache à dynamiser le secteur privé en faisant émerger et en commercialisant des idées, des modèles économiques et des technologies novateurs visant à accroître la productivité agricole, à améliorer les revenus des agriculteurs, faciliter l’accès à l’énergie propre, réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre et renforcer la résilience face aux effets du changement climatique. Nous finançons des entreprises à haut risque qui peinent à obtenir des financements commerciaux ; nous sommes déterminés à intervenir sur les marchés émergents, dans les contextes fragiles et dans les économies à haut risque où peu d’institutions financières traditionnelles osent s’aventurer. Nous portons également une attention particulière aux plus vulnérables, notamment les femmes, les jeunes et les personnes vivant dans des contextes fragiles.

À ce jour, nous avons soutenu plus de 698 entreprises dans 26 pays d’Afrique subsaharienne, eu un impact sur plus de 36 millions de vies, créé plus de 38 000 emplois directs

L’AECF a son siège social au Kenya et possède des bureaux en Côte d’Ivoire, en Tanzanie, au Nigéria, au Soudan du Sud, au Bénin et en Somalie.

2.0 À propos du programme Investir dans l’entrepreneuriat féminin pour une économie plus verte au Bénin et au Burkina Faso

Le programme Investir dans l’entrepreneuriat féminin pour une économie plus verte au Bénin et au Burkina Faso est un programme de six ans de transformation de Genre et d’inclusion économique mis en œuvre par l’AECF avec le soutien financier d’Affaires mondiales Canada. Il vise à autonomiser économiquement les femmes entrepreneures dans des secteurs d’activité à fort impact positif sur le climat, notamment l’innovation technologique, les technologies numériques, l’agriculture, la production, la transformation, l’artisanat et le commerce, afin de lever les obstacles qui les empêchent de contribuer au développement de ces activités.

Ce programme vise à améliorer la participation et la résilience économique des femmes entrepreneures dans une économie plus verte au Bénin et au Burkina Faso. Il s’agit notamment de faciliter l’accès au financement pour les PME détenues par des femmes, les coopératives féminines et les entrepreneures émergentes ; de renforcer les capacités des femmes propriétaires et dirigeantes de PME et de coopératives féminines à développer durablement les chaînes de valeur dans lesquelles elles travaillent principalement, en utilisant des approches climato-intelligentes ; et de surmonter les résistances sociales et culturelles profondément ancrées à l’autonomisation des femmes aux niveaux national, sectoriel et communautaire.

Le programme IIW-Bénin et Burkina Faso comprend les principaux éléments suivants :

  1. Guichet 1, partie 1 : Investissement dans les PME (Petites et Moyennes Entreprises)
  • Pour les prêts concessionnels aux PME
  • Allocation d’un fonds minimum de 50 000 dollars canadiens
  • Et un montant maximal de 750 000 dollars canadiens
  • Pour les subventions aux PME (non remboursables)
  • Allocation d’un fonds minimum de 50 000 dollars canadiens
  • Et un montant maximal de 750 000 dollars canadiens

Le financement accordé a un ratio subvention/participation d’au moins 1:0,5 (100 % de subvention/50 % de participation).

  1. Fenêtre 1, partie 2 : Investissement dans les institutions financières et les intermédiaires de services financiers (ISF)
  • Pour les prêts à taux préférentiels des IMF
    • Allocation d’un fonds minimum de 150 000 dollars canadiens
    • Et un montant maximal de 750 000 dollars canadiens
  • Pour les subventions à l’IMF auditées (non remboursables)
    • Allocation d’un fonds minimum de 100 000 dollars canadiens
    • Et un montant maximal de 500 000 dollars canadiens
  • Pour les institutions financières et les intermédiaires de services financiers (IF), la fourchette de financement, qui peut être un mélange de subventions et de prêts, ou un prêt à 100 %, se situe entre un minimum de 100 000 et 1 000 000 dollars canadiens.
    • La durée de l’accord de financement est de 4 ans.

Le financement accordé s’accompagne d’un ratio subvention/participation d’au moins 1:1 (100 % de subvention/100 % de participation).

  1. Guichet 2 : Investissement dans les coopératives et les organisations de femmes
    • Allocation d’un fonds minimum de 75 000 dollars canadiens
    • Montant maximal des fonds : 300 000 dollars canadiens

Le financement accordé comporte un ratio subvention/participation minimum de 1:0,25 (100 % de subvention / 25 % de participation). Toutes les contributions de contrepartie peuvent être en nature ou en espèces.

    • La durée de l’accord de financement est de 4 ans.

Pays d’expérience :

    • Bénin, Burkina Faso dans des secteurs agnostiques avec l’agro-industrie comme priorité.

Contexte de la mission

L’objectif de l’étude de référence est d’établir un point de repère complet pour évaluer les progrès et mesurer l’efficacité du programme « Investir dans l’Entrepreneuriat féminin » au Bénin et au Burkina Faso durant sa période de mise en œuvre. Cette étude fournira des données quantitatives et qualitatives permettant de :

  • Évaluer selon les références des principaux indicateurs de performance liés à l’autonomisation économique des femmes, à l’accès au financement et à la performance des entreprises en référence au cadre de mesure de la performance du programme (PMF),
  • Comprendre l’état actuel de la participation des femmes à l’agro-industrie tout au long des chaînes de valeur au Bénin et au Burkina Faso.
  • Identifier les obstacles existants à l’inclusion financière auxquels sont confrontées les femmes, les jeunes et les communautés marginalisées.
  • Fournir des informations sur les capacités, les pratiques en matière de Genre et l’inclusion des PME, coopératives et institutions financières partenaires.
  • Établir les bases des futures évaluations intermédiaires et finales afin de mesurer l’impact et l’apprentissage.

3.0 Objectifs de la mission

Le programme vise à réaliser une évaluation de référence exhaustive qui prenne en compte le contexte socio-économique, financier et institutionnel dans lequel le programme IFEV opère et qui établisse des valeurs de référence pour les indicateurs clés du programme. Spécifiquement,

  • Évaluer la participation et le rôle actuels des femmes dans les chaînes de valeur agroalimentaires dans les régions ciblées du Bénin et du Burkina Faso.
  • Établir l’accès existant aux services financiers et leur utilisation par les femmes et les communautés marginalisées, y compris les mécanismes formels et informels.
  • Profil des PME, coopératives et institutions financières participant ou ciblées par le soutien, y compris leur capacité d’intégration des genres et leurs performances commerciales.
  • Identifier les obstacles systémiques, culturels et institutionnels qui limitent la participation économique et le leadership des femmes dans l’agroalimentaire.
  • Documenter les opportunités et les facteurs favorables susceptibles d’améliorer l’inclusion des femmes et de leur permettre de bénéficier des interventions d’IFEV.
  • Fournir des valeurs de référence pour les indicateurs de résultats et de production du projet (par exemple, les niveaux de revenus, la création d’emplois, la croissance des entreprises, l’accès au financement, les femmes occupant des postes de direction).

4.0 Étendue de la mission

L’AECF recherche un consultant pour entreprendre les tâches suivantes :

Revue documentaire

  • Examiner les documents de conception du programme, la théorie du changement, le cadre logique et les stratégies nationales pertinentes.
  • Analyser les données secondaires, notamment les statistiques nationales, les études sur le genre, les rapports sur l’inclusion financière et les analyses du secteur agricole.

Collecte de données sur le terrain

  • Réaliser un travail de terrain dans des régions sélectionnées du Bénin et du Burkina Faso afin de recueillir des données primaires auprès de :
    • Agricultrices et agripreneures de petite taille
    • PME et entreprises agroalimentaires soutenues ou ciblées par IFEV B&B
    • Coopératives et organisations de producteurs
    • Institutions financières et institutions de microfinance
    • Représentants des parties prenantes communautaires et du gouvernement

Domaines d’intervention clés

  • Autonomisation économique : sources de revenus, niveaux de productivité, prise de décision, accès aux ressources et contrôle des revenus.
  • Accès au financement : utilisation des produits financiers, exigences en matière de garanties et obstacles perçus.
  • Dynamiques du secteur privé : modèles commerciaux inclusifs en matière de genre, lacunes en matière de capacités et besoins en assistance technique.
  • Inclusion sociale : Représentation des groupes marginalisés (jeunes, femmes, personnes handicapées).
  • Préparation institutionnelle : politiques organisationnelles, capacité d’intégration de la dimension de genre et pratiques inclusives.

Analyse des données

  • Effectuer une analyse quantitative et qualitative pour identifier les indicateurs de référence.
  • Désagréger toutes les données par sexe, âge, handicap et lieu de résidence.
  • Fournir des informations comparatives entre le Bénin et le Burkina Faso.

5.0 Méthodologie

Le cabinet de consultants adoptera une approche mixte, combinant enquêtes quantitatives, entretiens qualitatifs et discussions de groupe. Les méthodes employées garantiront l’inclusion des femmes, des jeunes et des groupes marginalisés.

    • Quantitatif : enquêtes structurées ciblant les bénéficiaires, les PME, les coopératives et les institutions financières.
    • Méthodes qualitatives : entretiens avec des informateurs clés (KII), discussions de groupe (FGD), études de cas et analyse de genre.
    • Échantillonnage : Échantillonnage aléatoire stratifié dans les régions cibles afin d’assurer la représentativité.
    • Qualité des données : Utilisation d’outils numériques de collecte de données, de protocoles de contrôle de la qualité et de la formation des enquêteurs.

Questions relatives à la collecte de données de référence

Le consultant devra recueillir des données de référence afin d’établir les valeurs de base des indicateurs du programme. Les questions directrices suivantes orienteront le choix des outils de collecte de données quantitatives et qualitatives (par exemple, enquêtes, entretiens individuels approfondis, discussions de groupe).

  1. Portée du programme et performance au niveau de l’entreprise
  • Dans quels secteurs opèrent ces PME et quelles technologies ou pratiques respectueuses du climat ont-elles adoptées ?
  • Quel est le montant total des financements additionnels durables mobilisés par les PME grâce au soutien du programme ?
  • Combien de femmes entrepreneures accèdent au crédit pour la première fois ?
  • Combien de femmes entrepreneures ont recours au crédit pour la troisième fois ou plus ?
  • Combien de bénéficiaires d’investissements ont adopté des pratiques, des technologies ou des solutions pour réduire les risques liés au climat ?
  • Combien de coopératives dirigées par des femmes ont amélioré leur capacité à mettre en œuvre des pratiques respectueuses du climat ?
  • Les entreprises ont soutenu les bénéfices
  • Chiffre d’affaires soutenu par les entreprises
  • Revenus au niveau du ménage
  1. Accès au financement et inclusion financière
  • Quel est le nombre total de femmes bénéficiant de services de développement financier ou commercial dans le cadre de ce programme ?
  • Quel est le montant total des financements non remboursables (subventions) accordés aux femmes entrepreneures pour des investissements respectueux du climat ?
  • Quel est le montant total des financements remboursables (prêts) accordés aux femmes entrepreneures ?
  • Combien d’institutions financières ont reçu des subventions pour développer ou étendre des produits financiers adaptés au climat et destinés aux femmes entrepreneures ?
  • Combien de femmes ont bénéficié d’une formation en éducation financière dispensée par des institutions financières dans le cadre d’un processus d’octroi de prêts ?
  1. Renforcement des capacités et développement des connaissances
  • Combien de femmes entrepreneures ont bénéficié d’un soutien en matière de conseil aux entreprises à long terme ?
  • Combien ont été formés en :
    • Réduction des risques climatiques ?
    • Gouvernance environnementale et sociale (ESG) ?
    • Leadership et gestion?
    • Prévention des violences sexuelles et sexistes (VSS) ?
    • Processus politiques et cadres de droits humains liés à la participation économique des femmes dans une économie verte ?
  • Combien de coopératives féminines ont bénéficié d’un soutien au renforcement de leurs capacités en matière de gestion commerciale et financière pour des investissements respectueux du climat ?
  • Combien de femmes ont bénéficié d’un soutien pour formaliser leur entreprise ?
  • Combien de femmes entrepreneures du secteur informel ont bénéficié d’une formation en éducation financière et en entrepreneuriat ?
  • Combien de personnes (hommes/femmes/personnes de diverses origines) ont été formées aux technologies et pratiques respectueuses du climat ?
  • Combien de boîtes à outils pour l’intégration des enjeux climatiques ou de genre ont été élaborées ?
  1. Égalité des genres et leadership
  • Combien de femmes occupent des postes de direction au sein des institutions gouvernementales ciblées qui travaillent avec des femmes entrepreneures ?
  • Combien d’organisations ou de coopératives dirigées par des femmes comprennent et mettent en œuvre des mécanismes de prévention des VBG ?
  • Combien de personnes ont participé aux activités menées par les champions de l’égalité des sexes au niveau communautaire ?
  1. Renforcement des politiques et des institutions
  • Combien d’institutions politiques et réglementaires ont intégré les considérations de genre dans leurs processus législatifs ?
  • Combien de décideurs politiques ont été formés à intégrer le genre dans les lois et les cadres réglementaires ?
  • Combien de décideurs politiques ont été formés pour intégrer le climat dans les lois et les cadres réglementaires ?
  • Combien de fonctionnaires ont été formés à la conception de politiques tenant compte du genre et/ou du climat ?
  • Combien de produits de connaissances (liés au genre, à l’investissement ou au climat) ont été élaborés chaque année ?

6.0 Livrables

Le travail du bureau sélectionné est considéré comme réussi une fois qu’un certain nombre de livrables ont été fournis et que l’AECF a jugé leur qualité acceptable. Tous les livrables seront examinés par l’AECF, qui apportera son soutien à l’entreprise en lui fournissant des conseils, en répondant à ses questions et en lui fournissant diverses contributions.

    • Rapport initial. Fournir une méthodologie détaillée, un cadre d’échantillonnage, des outils de collecte de données, un plan de travail et un plan de mobilisation des parties prenantes. (En anglais et en français)
    • Projet de rapport de référence Résultats préliminaires, analyse des données et valeurs de référence des indicateurs. (En anglais et en français)
    • Atelier de validation Présentation et discussion des principaux résultats avec l’AECF et les acteurs locaux (en anglais et en français)
    • Rapport de référence final Rapport final de référence (30 pages maximum) intégrant les commentaires, la matrice des indicateurs de référence et les recommandations. Le rapport sera fourni en français et en anglais.

7.0 Contributions spécifiques à fournir par l’AECF

L’AECF fournira des conseils et un soutien pour faciliter le travail des consultants :

  • Documents de référence pour aider l’entreprise sélectionnée à se familiariser avec le programme, notamment le plan de mise en œuvre du projet (PIP) d’IFEV B&B, le cadre de mesure de la performance (PMF), les rapports des donateurs, le cadre logique, etc.
  • La liste complète des sociétés du portefeuille sous contrat avec IFEV BEK comprend les noms des personnes de contact, le secteur d’activité et les coordonnées.

8.0 Qualifications et expérience du Bureau et de l’équipe

  • Expérience minimale de 10 ans dans la réalisation d’études sur le genre, l’agroalimentaire ou les moyens de subsistance en Afrique subsaharienne.
  • Expertise démontrée dans les études de référence, la recherche à méthodes mixtes et la mesure d’impact.
  • Solide expérience en matière d’autonomisation économique des femmes, d’inclusion financière et de développement du secteur privé.
  • Expérience avérée de travail avec les PME, les coopératives et les institutions financières.
  • Connaissance des contextes socio-économiques du Bénin et du Burkina Faso, et maîtrise de l’anglais et du français.
  • La composition de l’équipe devrait inclure :
    • Chef d’équipe : Diplôme d’études supérieures en économie, en études du développement ou en études de genre.
    • Spécialiste des questions de genre : Expertise en matière d’autonomisation des femmes et d’inclusion sociale.
    • Analyste du secteur financier : Expérience en matière de financement des PME et des coopératives.
    • Analyste de données/Statisticien : Expertise en gestion de données quantitatives et qualitatives.
    • Coordonnateurs/enquêteurs de terrain : Connaissance des langues et des communautés locales.

9.0 Durée de la mission

La mission devrait être mise en œuvre pour une durée totale de 60 jours ouvrables, jusqu’au 30 novembre 2026.

10.0 Reporting

Le consultant sera placé sous la responsabilité du Directeur pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest, du responsable du secteur agroalimentaire et bénéficiera du soutien du responsable de l’impact et du gestionnaire de programme de l’AECF.

11.0 Confidentialité

Toutes les données et informations recueillies ou reçues dans le cadre de cette étude seront traitées de manière strictement confidentielle et utilisées exclusivement pour l’exécution des termes de référence. Tous les droits de propriété intellectuelle découlant de l’exécution de ces termes de référence appartiennent à l’AECF. Le contenu des documents écrits obtenus et utilisés dans le cadre de cette tâche ne sera pas divulgué à des tiers sans l’autorisation écrite de l’AECF.

12.0 Soumission de proposition

Les consultants qualifiés sont invités à soumettre une proposition comprenant les éléments suivants :

    1. Qualifications et expérience telles qu’indiquées dans les critères d’évaluation.
    2. L’approche et la méthodologie mises en œuvre pour mener à bien cette mission s’appuient sur une démonstration de rentabilité.
    3. Un budget financier détaillé (en USD) et un plan de travail.
    4. Les propositions techniques et financières devront être soumises sous forme de documents distincts.

N.B. : LA SOUMISSION DES DOCUMENTS FINANCIERS ET TECHNIQUES EN UN SEUL DOCUMENT ENTRAÎNERA AUTOMATIQUEMENT LA DISQUALIFICATION DU CANDIDAT.

13.0 Tarification

L’AECF est tenue par les autorités fiscales kényanes de retenir l’impôt à la source sur les honoraires des contrats de services et de s’assurer que la TVA est facturée le cas échéant. Il est conseillé aux candidats de bien comprendre leur situation fiscale au regard de la législation fiscale kényane lors de l’élaboration de leurs propositions.

14.0 Critères d’évaluation

CRITÈRES D’ÉVALUATION OBLIGATOIRES.

  1. Exigences obligatoires pour les Bureaux : –
  1. Profil du bureau d’Etudes.
  2. Licence commerciale ou certificat de constitution ou certificat d’enregistrement et autres documents légaux.
  3. Certificat de conformité fiscale valide (Applicable aux entreprises).
  4. Passeport/carte d’identité nationale du consultant principal et du personnel clé

N.B. : LE NON-RESPECT DES EXIGENCES CI-DESSUS ENTRAÎNERA UNE DISQUALIFICATION AUTOMATIQUE.

  1. Un comité d’évaluation sera constitué par l’AECF et pourra inclure des employés des entreprises bénéficiaires. Tous les membres seront tenus au même respect de la confidentialité. Le consultant devra veiller à répondre pleinement à tous les critères d’évaluation.

L’AECF peut demander et obtenir des éclaircissements de tout consultant lors de l’évaluation d’une proposition. Le comité d’évaluation peut inviter tout ou partie des consultants à comparaître devant lui afin de clarifier leurs propositions. Dans ce cas, le comité d’évaluation peut prendre en compte ces éclaircissements lors de l’évaluation des propositions.

Pour la sélection finale des soumissionnaires qualifiés, la qualité technique de leur proposition sera pondérée à 80 % selon les critères d’évaluation. Seules les propositions financières des soumissionnaires techniquement qualifiés seront examinées. Ces propositions représenteront 20 % de la note finale, et les propositions seront classées en fonction du total des points obtenus.

Les critères obligatoires et souhaitables selon lesquels les propositions seront évaluées sont identifiés dans le tableau ci-dessous.

N\ Critères d’évaluation Note ​​pondérée
Proposition technique 80
Compréhension des termes de référence
1. Démontrer sa compréhension de la tâche, du contexte et des résultats attendus. 10
2. Compréhension démontrée de la recherche et de l’analyse qualitatives 10
Méthodologie et plan de travail permettant d’obtenir le meilleur résultat possible pour cette mission.
1. Pertinence et faisabilité de l’approche technique et de la méthodologie proposées 20
Qualifications et expérience
1. Qualifications et expérience du consultant/de l’équipe et preuves de certification pertinentes 20
2. Le candidat justifie d’une expérience et de prestations pertinentes réalisées lors de missions antérieures, étayées par des preuves (liens vers les travaux effectués) et un certificat de réalisation. 10
3. Tous les documents d’inscription au registre du commerce et d’immatriculation requis et au moins 3 lettres de référence signées pour des travaux similaires réalisés. 10
Proposition financière
1 Détaillant le niveau d’effort de l’équipe, la clarté, la pertinence et le rapport qualité-prix de la mission (incluant toutes les taxes applicables, les frais remboursables et les frais de déplacement, le cas échéant). 20

15.0 Détails de l’application

L’AECF est un employeur qui souscrit au principe de l’égalité des chances. L’AECF examine toutes les candidatures en fonction du mérite, sans discrimination fondée sur la race, le sexe, la couleur de peau, la nationalité, la religion, l’orientation sexuelle, l’âge, la situation matrimoniale, le statut d’ancien combattant, le handicap ou toute autre caractéristique protégée par la loi.

    • Les entreprises intéressées sont priées de soumettre leur proposition technique et financière à aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org au plus tard le 20 Février 2026, 17h (EAT).
    • Toute question doit être adressée à l’adresse électronique du service des achats d’ici le 12 février 2025 à 17h (heure d’Afrique de l’Est).
    • L’objet du courriel doit être : « SERVICES DE CONSULTATION POUR LA RÉALISATION D’UNE ÉTUDE DE RÉFÉRENCE POUR LE PROGRAMME INVESTIR DANS L’ENTREPRENEURIAT FEMININ POUR UNE ECONOMIE PLUS VERTE AU BÉNIN ET AU BURKINA FASO ». L’AECF décline toute responsabilité en cas de non-ouverture des propositions soumises avec un objet différent ou de non-réponse aux questions non reçues dans les délais impartis.
    • Cliquez ici pour consulter la FAQ

16.0 Clause de non-responsabilité

AECF se réserve le droit de déterminer la structure du processus, le nombre de participants présélectionnés, le droit de se retirer du processus de proposition, le droit de modifier ce calendrier à tout moment et sans préavis, et se réserve le droit de retirer cet appel d’offres à tout moment, sans préavis et sans obligation d’indemniser ou de rembourser toute partie.

L’AECF n’exige aucun frais de dossier pour participer à l’appel d’offres et n’a désigné aucun agent ni intermédiaire pour faciliter les candidatures. Il est conseillé aux candidats de contacter directement le service des achats de l’AECF..

Terms of Reference for Endline Evaluation and Report on Lessons from AECF’s Investing in Women in South Sudan Programme

Written by AECF

1.0 Background

The AECF is a leading development organization that supports innovative enterprises in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors with the aim of reducing rural poverty, promoting climate-resilient communities, and creating jobs.

We catalyze the private sector by surfacing and commercializing new ideas, business models, and technologies designed to increase agricultural productivity, improve farmer incomes, expand clean energy access, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve resilience to the effects of climate change. We finance high-risk businesses that struggle to access commercial funding; we are committed to working in frontier markets, fragile contexts, and high-risk economies where few mainstream financing institutions dare to go.

To date, we have supported over 576 businesses in 26 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, impacted more than 36 million lives, and created over 38,000 direct jobs.

AECF is headquartered in Kenya and has offices in Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Sudan, Benin, and Somalia.

2.0 About the Investing in Women Program- South Sudan

Investing in Women South Sudan (IIW-SS) is a gender equality and economic inclusion initiative being implemented by The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) with funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The project aims to economically empower women smallholder farmers, shea nut collectors, beekeepers, entrepreneurs, and employees working in the agricultural and natural resource sectors, specifically in the central and eastern Equatoria states, and to address the barriers that prevent women from fully participating in the priority agricultural value chains in South Sudan.

Women and girls in South Sudan face intersecting challenges driven by entrenched patriarchal norms, protracted conflict, economic instability, weak infrastructure, and limited access to productive resources. These constraints continue to limit women’s participation, agency, and economic outcomes within agricultural value chains. IIW-SS responds to these challenges by advancing three intermediate outcomes:

  • Reducing gender-specific barriers for women’s participation in agricultural value chains.
  • Increasing adoption of gender-sensitive climate-smart agricultural practices.
  • Improving employment or livelihoods for women in agriculture and food systems.

3.0 Rationale for the assignment

As the IIW-SS programme approaches completion in July 2026, it is necessary to conduct an end-of-programme evaluation to assess performance against intended outcomes, document results achieved, and generate evidence of impact. The evaluation will generate credible findings on programme relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of the IIW-SS.

Specifically, the evaluation and report will:

    • Assess the extent to which the IIW-SS programme achieved its intended outcomes and development impact, particularly in improving women’s incomes, leadership, decision-making power, and participation in agricultural value chains through supported private enterprises.
    • Examine the appropriateness of the programme’s design and implementation, including how effectively it adapted to South Sudan’s evolving contextual, market, security, and institutional dynamics, and whether the interventions remained responsive to the needs of women farmers and women-led enterprises.
    • Evaluate the effectiveness of blended finance and technical assistance in strengthening investee performance, resilience, and gender inclusivity of investee enterprises, and enabling these enterprises to sustainably engage women as producers, workers, suppliers, and leaders.
    • Assess sustainability, scalability, and systemic change potential within the sector, i.e., the likelihood that benefits to women will continue beyond programme support, the capacity of investees to scale inclusive business models, and the extent to which the programme influences market practices, norms, or policies related to women’s economic participation in agriculture.
    • Provide actionable, forward-looking recommendations for future programme design, implementation approaches, and results of measurement for women’s economic empowerment initiatives in fragile, conflict-affected, and low-income contexts.

Beyond accountability, AECF seeks to leverage the endline evaluation to produce an insight and learning report that distills practical insights from the IIW-SS experience and showcases how gender-transformative economic programming can be effectively designed and implemented in fragile environments.

This report will contribute to AECF’s institutional learning and provide evidence-based guidance to donors, policymakers, and practitioners designing gender-inclusive private sector and livelihoods programmes in such settings.

4.0 Objectives of the assignment

The objective of the assignment is two-pronged:

  1. Conduct an endline evaluation of the Investing in Women South Sudan Programme.
  2. Drawing on findings from the endline evaluation and primary and secondary research, a learning report was developed on investing in women in fragile contexts, using the IIW-SS programme as a case study.

Objective 1: Conduct an endline evaluation of the Investing in Women South Sudan Programme.

The specific objectives of the Final Evaluation are to:

    1. Assess programme performance against the approved logframe, including progress toward output, outcome, and impact-level targets related to women’s economic empowerment in agriculture.
    2. Analyze the programme’s contribution to improving women’s access to quality agricultural inputs and services as suppliers or producers through supported private enterprises.
    3. Evaluate and document verifiable systemic and market-level system changes attributable to the programme, including shifts in enterprise practices, input distribution models, and norms affecting women’s participation in agricultural markets.
    4. Examine investee level outcomes, including business growth, productivity, revenues, job creation, governance practices, and the extent to which investees adopted gender-inclusive business models.
    5. Identify key factors that enabled or constrained programme implementation and results with particular attention to operating in fragile, conflict-affected and low-capacity contexts.
    6. Examine and report on factors that contributed to businesses that succeeded and those that struggled to meet project objectives. The factors examined should include governance.
    7. Assess cross cutting outcomes related to gender equality, youth inclusion, and engagement of vulnerable groups, including women’s leadership, income control, decision making power and access to productive resources.
    8. Evaluate the sustainability and replicability of programme outcomes beyond AECF funding and demonstrate that the investee will continue inclusive practices and that women will sustain economic gains.
    9. Assess differences in agricultural; productivity (yield per acre) between women farmers using programme –supported quality inputs and those using traditional or non-certified inputs where data permits.
    10. Evaluate changes in affordability of agricultural inputs for women farmer over the programme period, price trends, access mechanisms and perceived affordability.
    11. Assess improvements in women’s access to inputs and services including availability, proximity, information, and financing facilitated by partner investees.
    12. Measure changes in income levels of target beneficiaries (women producers, workers, suppliers)
    13. Assess changes in household-level outcomes linked to women’s economic empowerment- food security and nutrition, etc.

Evaluation guiding questions

This Final Evaluation will be conducted in accordance with the AECF Evaluation standards and will use the widely accepted OECD/DAC Evaluation criteria. An initial set of questions that should guide the Final Evaluation in assessing the Programme against each given criterion has been developed as follows:

Table 1: Evaluation Guiding Questions

Criteria Evaluation Questions
Relevance

 
  • To what extent was the IIW-SS programme aligned with the needs and priorities of women in agricultural value chains in South Sudan?
  • How appropriate was the programme’s private-sector-led approach in addressing constraints faced by women farmers, women workers, and women-led enterprises?
  • To what extent did programme design respond to contextual challenges, including conflict, displacement, market fragmentation, and limited access to land and finance?
  • How well did the programme address gender-specific barriers to women’s participation, leadership, and income generation in agriculture?
  • To what extent were the needs of youth and other vulnerable groups considered alongside women’s economic empowerment objectives?
  • Audit the processes of onboarding businesses
Coherence

 
  • How well did the programme align with national agricultural, gender, and private sector development policies in South Sudan?
  • To what extent did IIW-SS complement or coordinate with government initiatives, humanitarian responses, and other donor-funded programmes operating in the same geographies and value chains?
  • How coherent was the programme’s theory of change in linking enterprise support to women’s economic outcomes?
  • Were there overlaps, synergies, or gaps between IIW-SS and other market-based or livelihood interventions targeting women?
Effectiveness

 
  • To what extent did the programme achieve its intended objectives, outputs, and outcomes, particularly those related to women’s income, decision-making power, and participation in agricultural markets?
  • What progress was made toward key logframe indicators and PMF targets, and where were shortfalls observed?
  • How effective were supported private enterprises in reaching, benefiting, and retaining women as producers, workers, suppliers, or leaders?
  • What factors (contextual, institutional, market-related, or operational) facilitated or constrained the achievement of intended results?
  • How effectively did the programme adapt strategies and implementation approaches in response to insecurity, displacement, market shocks, or enterprise performance challenges?
  • How effective were programme management, governance, and decision-making structures in supporting timely delivery and results?
  • To what extent did technical assistance and blended finance strengthen investee enterprises’ capacity, resilience, and gender-inclusive practices?
Efficiency
  • How efficiently were financial, technical, and human resources allocated and utilized to achieve women’s economic empowerment outcomes?
  • Were programme interventions cost-effective in improving women’s access to agricultural inputs, services, markets, and income opportunities compared to alternative delivery models?
  • Were there areas where resources could have been used more effectively, particularly in high-risk or insecure locations?
  • Were implementation timelines, delivery mechanisms, and enterprise support modalities appropriate given the operating environment in South Sudan?
  • How efficient were enterprise selection, disbursement, and technical assistance processes in supporting women-focused results?
Impact
  • What direct and indirect impacts did the programme have on women’s economic outcomes, including income, employment, productivity, leadership, and decision-making power?
  • To what extent did the programme meet or exceed its stated impact goals, and where were the results below expectations?
  • How did programme support affect the business performance of investee enterprises, including revenues, profitability, job creation (especially for women), geographic reach, product offerings, and adoption of inclusive practices?
  • To what extent did the programme contribute to improved household-level outcomes, such as food security and nutrition, linked to women’s increased economic participation?
  • Were there significant impacts that were not initially anticipated or systematically measured?
  • What unintended positive or negative effects emerged for women, households, enterprises, or local markets?
Sustainability
  • To what extent are the economic and social benefits for women likely to be sustained beyond programme closure?
  • How prepared are supported enterprises to continue inclusive business practices and pursue follow-on financing or scale-up without donor support?
  • What institutional, market, or ecosystem-level changes support the sustainability of women’s participation in agricultural value chains?
  • How likely are the skills, relationships, and capacities developed under the programme to endure after funding ends?
  • What are the key risks or barriers to sustaining programme outcomes in a fragile context, and how can these be mitigated?
Cross-Cutting Objectives: Gender, Youth, and Vulnerable Groups
  • To what extent did the programme advance gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in agriculture?
  • How effectively did the programme engage youth and other vulnerable groups, and what differentiated outcomes were achieved?
  • Which approaches and enterprise practices were most effective in addressing gender-based and social inclusion barriers?
  • What gaps remain in ensuring equitable access and benefits for women and marginalized populations?
Learning, Adaptation, Scaling Up, and Replication
  • What key lessons emerge from the IIW-SS programme regarding women-focused private sector interventions in fragile contexts?
  • Which programme components or enterprise models demonstrate the strongest potential for scale-up or replication within South Sudan or similar contexts?
  • How can results measurement, learning, and post-investment tracking be strengthened to better capture women’s economic empowerment outcomes?
  • What adaptations are recommended to improve future investing in Women or market-based agriculture programmes?

Objective 2: Develop a learning report on investing in women in fragile contexts, using the IIW-SS programme as a case study. This will be done drawing from the end line evaluation, programme outputs and materials as well as secondary research.

Scope of work for the insight and learning report

  • The market fit and impact of the IIW-SS programme within the context of the investment landscape of the country
  • Assessment of the gaps and opportunities for the women of South Sudan, and the applicability of the IIW-SS programme model in addressing these
  • Identification of key lessons and case studies from AECF’s Investing in Women SS programme
  • Develop illustrative case studies highlighting impactful gender transformative approaches from IIW-SS
  • Generate actionable recommendations for future gender-inclusive programming in fragile contexts

Learning report components

Theme component
Programme context, key insights, and strategic lessons Concise summary presenting:

  • The contextual challenges and opportunities for women’s economic empowerment in fragile and conflict-affected settings
  • High-level findings and insights derived from the IIW-SS programme
  • Priority lessons and recommendations for gender-inclusive programming in fragile contexts
Context and fragility analysis An overview of the South Sudan operating environment, including:

  • The investment, entrepreneurship, and agribusiness landscape relevant to women’s economic participation
  • Key fragility and conflict drivers affecting programme design and implementation
  • Implications of fragility for private sector–led and gender-focused interventions
Gender-specific barriers and opportunities An analysis of:

  • Social, economic, institutional, and market-related barriers affecting women’s economic participation
  • Intersectional constraints affecting different groups of women addressed by the IIW_SS programme
Effective approaches and good practices Documentation and analysis of:

  • Interventions and approaches under the IIW-SS programme that demonstrated effectiveness or transformative potential
  • Adaptive strategies employed to respond to contextual risks and implementation challenges
  • Gender-transformative practices that contributed to improved agency, inclusion, or economic outcomes for women
  • Challenges and lessons from underperforming approaches
  • Development of two (2) case studies illustrating the programme and or investees’ innovative approaches, or systems-level change supported by the programme.
Cross-Cutting Lessons for Gender-Inclusive Programming in Fragile Contexts
  • Design and implementation lessons relevant to gender-inclusive programmes in fragile settings
  • Partnership, ecosystem, and stakeholder engagement considerations
  • Develop two (2) case studies illustrating the innovative IIW_SS programme approaches to address gender gaps within a fragile context
Actionable Recommendations for Policy, Programming, and Investment
  • Clear and practical recommendations for donors, implementing organizations, and private-sector actors designing or implementing gender-inclusive programmes in fragile contexts.
Implications for AECF’s Future Gender and Private-Sector Programming An outline of:

  • How insights from the IIW-SS experience can inform future gender and private-sector programming in the country
  • Opportunities for scaling, adapting, or institutionalizing effective approaches
  • Areas requiring further learning or innovation

5.0 Methodology

During this final evaluation, the selected evaluation firm is invited to assess the Programme and its components against the evaluation criteria and specific evaluation questions listed above. The methodology described in this section is indicative, and the evaluation teams applying it are expected to adapt, elaborate, and integrate the approach and to propose any adjustments needed to undertake the assignment. These can include additions to the evaluation design, approaches to be adopted, an appropriate sampling strategy, data collection and analysis methods, and an evaluation framework. The proposals should also refer to methodological limitations and mitigation measures. At all times, evaluators are to adhere to the ‘principles for ensuring quality evaluations’ according to OECD/ DAC quality standards. Mixed data collection methods are recommended. The evaluation will be rolled out in three phases:

  1. Inception phase: The evaluator(s) will review key Programme documents and engage with the AECF programme team to finalize the evaluation objectives, questions, criteria, and methodology. Against the above, the evaluator(s) will identify the appropriate evidence to be gathered and synthesized to fully inform the evaluation process, as well as sources of information, including key individuals to be interviewed. The output of this phase will be an inception report, which will include a methodological note and an evaluation framework presenting how each evaluation question will be addressed, data sources and data collection methods that will be used to gather additional information needed, and a set of criteria to rate the strength of the evidence collected. The inception report should not exceed 10 pages.
  2. Data collection and analysis phase and Case Studies: The second phase will involve systematic data collection and analysis in line with the approved evaluation framework and scope agreed during the inception phase. The evaluator(s) will assess programme performance against the evaluation objectives and criteria using a mixed-methods approach that combines qualitative and quantitative techniques.

In addition to standard data collection activities, the evaluator(s) will be required to conduct at least four (3) in-depth case studies drawn from different geographies, value chains, or implementation partners. The case studies should:

  • Illustrate programme results, pathways to impact, and lessons learned
  • Capture women’s experiences and outcomes through supported private enterprises
  • Highlight contextual challenges, adaptation strategies, and sustainability considerations

At the end of this phase, the evaluator(s) will present preliminary findings to key evaluation stakeholders for validation and feedback.

  1. For the learning report, there will be:
  • Desk review and analysis of IIW-SS programme documentation, impact data, evaluations, and secondary research on gender and economic inclusion in fragile contexts to identify key insights outlined in the scope.
  • Drafting of the report with key learnings from the programme and recommendations for gender-inclusive programming in fragile contexts.
  • Presentation of findings disseminates and broadcasts the report across relevant networks and platforms.
  1. Reporting and dissemination phase: The third phase will include reporting, validating, and prioritizing findings and recommendations, and disseminating the results to AECF and its stakeholders. For the endline evaluation, the evaluator(s) will submit a final evaluation report in Word and PDF. The final report for the endline evaluation should not exceed 35 pages and clearly and transparently demonstrate the links between the review questions, data collection, analysis, findings, and conclusions. The conclusion and recommendations presented in the final report should be supported by strong evidence and will be further explained during the final presentation. The learning and insights report is to be submitted separately and shall not exceed 25 pages, excluding annexes.

The case studies should be included as annexes or clearly referenced within the report. Findings and recommendations will be further explained during a final presentation to AECF and stakeholders.

6.0 Deliverables

The consultant will produce the following deliverables:

  • Inception report: A report outlining the evaluation methodology, data collection tools, stakeholder engagement process, and updated work plan.
  • Draft reports: A report presenting the evaluation of findings, conclusions, and recommendations. An external-facing insight paper in PDF.
  • Final endline evaluation report: A report incorporating feedback from the AECF and annexed Case studies
  • Finalized learning report on investing in women in fragile contexts, using the IIW-SS programme as a case study.
  • Presentation of findings: A presentation of the evaluation of findings and recommendations to the AECF, GAC, and other relevant stakeholders.

7.0 Reporting

The consultant will be accountable and report to the Gender Manager and Senior Impact Officer, AECF, with support from the Country Programme Manager and Senior Portfolio Officer.

8.0 Qualifications and experience from the firm and personnel

  • A consultancy firm with substantial experience (5–7 years) in conducting development and Agribusiness research, monitoring, and evaluation assignments in enterprise or MSME support, and developing learning and insights papers.
  • Proven experience in South Sudan or East Africa (understanding of the South Sudan context will be an added advantage)
  • Strong expertise in entrepreneurship and private sector development.
  • Demonstrated application of OECD/DAC evaluation standards.
  • Excellent analytical, facilitation, and reporting skills.
  • A team leader with an advanced degree in a relevant field such as economics, development studies, monitoring and evaluation, or a related discipline.
  • A multidisciplinary team of experts with strong technical backgrounds in programme evaluation, economics, Women’s Economic Empowerment, finance, and monitoring and evaluation.
  • Demonstrated experience in applying participatory and evidence-based evaluation methodologies, in line with recognized international evaluation standards and best practices.
  • Prior experience implementing or evaluating Agribusiness donor-funded programmes in the region (experience with GAC-funded projects will be considered an added advantage).
  • Excellent communication, analytical, and reporting skills, with the ability to present complex findings and recommendations clearly to diverse stakeholders

Guidelines

The consultant will be expected to take responsibility for all the activities identified in the Terms of Reference (ToRs). The Technical and Financial Proposal should contain:

  • Consultant’s interpretation of the ToRs.
  • Complete description and elaborate explanation of the proposed methodology.
  • Names and qualifications of allocated personnel and any other resources that the consultant will make available to execute the assignment and achieve the objectives.
  • The financial proposal should stipulate the consultancy fees and all associated costs for the assignment, expressed in US$ and inclusive of taxes.
  • A detailed work plan within the stipulated timeline.

In-kind Contributions:

The Consulting firm shall provide in-kind contributions in relation to the services in areas such as (but not limited to);

  • Provision of experienced and trained M&E Leads at no additional cost beyond the agreed Fees
  • Use of the Consultant’s existing data collection, analysis, and other M&E tools without charging any fees
  • Promotion of the learning report across relevant networks and platforms
  • Staff time contribution to learning report dissemination activities

9.0 Proposal submission

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

  • An understanding of the consultancy requirements.
  • Methodology and work plan for performing the assignment.
  • Detailed reference list indicating the scope and magnitude of similar assignments.
  • Relevant services that have been done in the past five (5) years, preferably in South Sudan.
  • Signed letters of reference from 3 previous institutions/programmes.
  • Registration and other relevant statutory documents.
  • The technical and financial proposals must be submitted separately in PDF format.
  • The financial (USD) proposal clearly shows the budgeted cost for the consulting firm to conduct the work outlined above.
  • The technical and financial proposals must be submitted as separate documents.

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

10.0 Pricing

The AECF is obliged by the Kenyan tax authorities to withhold tax 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 under Kenya tax legislation when developing their proposals.

11.0 Evaluation criteria

MANADATORY EVALUATION CRITERIA.

  1. Mandatory Requirements for firms: –
  1. Company profile.
  2. Trading license, Certificate of incorporation, Certificate of Registration, and other statutory documents.
  3. Valid Tax Compliance certificate (Applicable to firms).
  4. Passport/National Identification of the lead consultant and key personnel

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

  1. 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 they fully respond to all criteria for comprehensive evaluation.

The AECF may request and receive clarification from any consultant during the evaluation of 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 deciding the final selection of a qualified bidder, the technical quality of the proposal will be given a weighting of 70% based on the evaluation criteria. Only the financial proposal of those bidders who qualify technically will be opened. The financial proposal will be given a 30% weighting, and proposals will be ranked by total points scored.

The mandatory and desirable criteria for evaluating proposals are listed in the table below.

No. Criteria for Assessment Marks
1 Understanding of the terms of reference 10
Description of the service to be provided 5
Understanding of what AECF is expecting from the work 5
2 Methodology and work plan 20
Relevance of the methodology proposed to the needs of the assignment 10
Adequacy of the work plan, including key deliverables and capacity to deliver within a realistic timeline based on the consultancy days designated for the task 10
3 Technical experience of staff offered 40
Relevant tertiary level qualification and years of professional experience of the proposed team; and demonstrated Team Leader’s expertise in one of the technical areas, as well as expertise and demonstrated experience in designing evaluations

methodology and data collection tools, and demonstrated experience in leading similar reviews/evaluations.

 5
Prior experience in evaluating programmes and developing insight reports of a similar nature and scope, including areference list indicating the scope and magnitude of similar assignments. 10
Experience in conducting programme evaluations for donor-funded programmes, including demonstrated experience in evaluation report and insight report writing. 10
Evidence of similar previous experience, at least 7 years, in the financial inclusion sector, MSMEs in South Sudan or a similar context, with demonstrable competence in private sector investments, access to finance for women, youth, and producers. 10
Provide the registration and tax clearance certification from the country where the assignment will take place. 5
4 Financial Proposal

Clarity, relevance, reality to the market of value/value for money of cost for the assignment (inclusive of any applicable tax)

Demonstration and value of in-kind contributions relating to the assignment

 30
Total Score 100

12.0 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 firms/consultants, or consortia are requested to submit their technical and financial proposals to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org by 20th Feb 2026, 5 pm (EAT).
  • All questions should be directed to the procurement email by 12th Feb 2026, 5 pm (EAT).
  • The subject of the email should be ‘FINAL EVALUATION OF IIW SS PROGRAMME AND LEARNING AND INSIGHTS REPORT 2026‘. The AECF shall not be liable for failing to open proposals submitted under a different subject or for responding to questions that did not meet the indicated deadline.
  • Click here for the FAQs

13.0 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.

Terms of Reference for baseline study for the Investing in Women Programme in Benin and Burkina Faso

Written by AECF

About AECF

The AECF, LLC (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) is a leading non-profit development organization that supports innovative enterprises in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors with the aim of reducing rural poverty, promoting climate-resilient communities, and creating jobs.

We catalyze the private sector by surfacing and commercializing new ideas, business models, and technologies that increase agricultural productivity, improve farmers’ incomes, expand access to clean energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance resilience to climate change. We finance high-risk businesses that struggle to access commercial funding. We are committed to working in frontier markets, fragile contexts, and high-risk economies where few mainstream financing institutions are willing to operate.

To date, we have supported over 698 businesses in 26 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, impacted more than 36 million lives, and created over 35,000 direct jobs. The AECF is headquartered in Kenya and has offices in Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Sudan, Benin, and Somalia.

About the Investing in Women Program- Benin and Burkina Faso

The Investing in Women in Benin and Burkina Faso (IIW-B&BF) is a six-year gender transformation and economic inclusion programme implemented by AECF with funding from Global Affairs Canada. The programme aims to economically empower women as entrepreneurs in sectors with a strong positive climate impact, including technological innovation, digital technology, agriculture, production, processing, crafts, and trade, by removing obstacles that prevent them from contributing to the development of their activities.

The programme aims to improve the participation and economic resilience of women entrepreneurs in a greener economy in Benin and Burkina Faso. These include access to finance for women-owned SMEs, women’s cooperatives and emerging women entrepreneurs emerging women entrepreneurs; improving the capacity of women owners and managers of SMEs and women’s cooperatives to sustainably develop the value chains in which they primarily value chains in which they mainly work, using climate-smart approaches; and overcome entrenched social and cultural resistance to women’s empowerment at national, sectoral and community levels.

The IIW-Benin & Burkina program includes the following main elements:

  1. Window 1 part 1: Investment in SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises)

For SME concessional loans

  1. Allocation of a minimum fund of 50,000 Canadian dollars
  2. And a maximum amount of 750,000 Canadian dollars

For grants to SMEs (non-refundable)

  1. Allocation of a minimum fund of 50,000 Canadian dollars
  2. And a maximum amount of 750,000 Canadian dollars

The funding provided a grant/participation ratio of at least 1:0.5 (100% grant/50% participation).

  1. Window 1 part 2: Investment in Financial institutions and Financial Services intermediaries (FIs)

For MFI concessional loans

  1. Allocation of a minimum fund of 150,000 Canadian dollars
  2. And a maximum amount of 750,000 Canadian dollars

For MFI audited grants (non-refundable)

  1. Allocation of a minimum fund of 100,000 Canadian dollars
  2. And a maximum amount of 500,000 Canadian dollars

For financial institutions and financial services intermediaries (FIs), the financing range, which can be a mix of grants and loans, or 100% loan, is contained between a minimum of 100,000 to 1,000,000 Canadian dollars.

  • The financing agreement is for 4 years.

The funding provided is accompanied by a grant/participation ratio of at least 1:1 (100% grant/100% participation).

Window 2: Investment in Cooperatives and Women’s Organizations

  • Allocation of a minimum fund of 75,000 Canadian dollars
  • The maximum funds amount is worth 300,000 Canadian dollars

The funding provided has a minimum grant-to-participation ratio of 1:0.25 (100% grant/25% participation).
All matching contributions may be in-kind or in cash.

The duration of the financing agreement is 4 years

Countries of experience:

  • Benin and Burkina Faso in agnostic sectors with Agribusiness as a priority.

Currently, the program has contracted two MFIs in Benin and two MFIs in Burkina Faso. In addition, one SME has been contracted, with portfolio construction projected to be completed by the end of 2025. In Benin, the program has contracted with five investees (two MFIs and three SMEs). The remaining investees are expected to be selected by the end of 2025. In Burkina Faso, the program has contracted three investees (two MFIs and one SME). In addition, two SMEs are expected to be contracted by the end of 2025, with the remaining investees to be selected by March 2026.

Background to the assignment

The purpose of the baseline study is to establish a comprehensive reference point for assessing progress and measuring the effectiveness of the Investing in Women program in Benin & Burkina Faso over its implementation period. The baseline will provide quantitative and qualitative data to:

  • With reference to the programs Performance Measurement Framework (PMF), benchmark key performance indicators related to women’s economic empowerment, access to finance, and business performance.
  • Understand the current state of women’s participation in agribusiness across value chains in Benin and Burkina Faso.
  • Identify existing financial inclusion barriers faced by women, youth, and marginalized communities.
  • Provide insights into the capacity, gender practices, and inclusivity of partner SMEs, cooperatives, and financial institutions.
  • Establish a foundation for future midline and endline evaluations to measure impact and learning.

Objectives of the assignment

The program aims to conduct a comprehensive baseline assessment that captures the socio-economic, financial, and institutional context within which the IIW program operates and establishes baseline values for key program indicators. Specifically,

  • Assess the current participation and roles of women in agribusiness value chains in targeted regions of Benin and Burkina Faso.
  • Establish the current access to and use of financial services by women and marginalized communities, including formal and informal channels.
  • Profile SMEs, cooperatives, and financial institutions participating or targeted for support, including their gender integration capacity and business performance.
  • Identify systemic, cultural, and institutional barriers limiting women’s economic participation and leadership in agribusiness.
  • Document opportunities and enabling factors that could enhance women’s inclusion and benefit from IIW interventions.
  • Provide baseline values for project outcome and output indicators (e.g., income levels, job creation, business growth, access to finance, women in leadership roles).

Scope of Work

AECF seeks a consultant/from to undertake the following tasks:

Desk Review

  • Review program design documents, theory of change, logical framework, and relevant country strategies.
  • Analyze secondary data, including national statistics, gender studies, financial inclusion reports, and agricultural sector analyses.

Field Data Collection

  • Conduct fieldwork across selected regions in Benin and Burkina Faso.
  • Gather primary data from:
    • Women smallholder farmers and agripreneurs
    • SMEs and agribusinesses supported or targeted by IIW B&B
    • Cooperatives and producer organizations
    • Financial institutions and microfinance institutions
    • Community stakeholders and government representatives

Key Focus Areas

  • Economic Empowerment: Income sources, productivity levels, decision-making, access to resources, and control over income.
  • Access to Finance: Use of financial products, collateral requirements, and perceived barriers.
  • Private Sector Dynamics: Gender-inclusive business models, capacity gaps, and TA needs.
  • Social Inclusion: Representation of marginalized groups (youth, women, persons with disabilities).
  • Institutional Readiness: Organizational policies, gender mainstreaming capacity, and inclusivity practices.

Data Analysis

  • Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis to identify baseline indicators.
  • Disaggregate all data by sex, age, disability, and location.
  • Provide comparative insights between Benin and Burkina Faso.

Methodology

The consultant/firm will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, and focus group discussions. Methods will ensure inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups.

  • Quantitative: Structured surveys targeting beneficiaries, SMEs, cooperatives, and financial institutions.
  • Qualitative: Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), case studies, and gender analysis.
  • Sampling: Stratified random sampling across target regions to ensure representativeness.
  • Data Quality: Use of digital data collection tools, quality control protocols, and enumerator training.

Baseline Data Collection Questions

The consultant will be expected to collect baseline data to establish reference values for the programme’s indicators. The following guiding questions should inform the design of quantitative and qualitative data collection tools (e.g., surveys, KIIs, FGDs).

  1. Program Reach and Enterprise-Level Performance
  • What sectors are these SMEs operating in, and what climate-smart technologies or practices have they adopted?
  • What is the total amount of sustainable additional financing mobilized by SMEs through program support?
  • How many women entrepreneurs are accessing credit for the first time?
  • How many women entrepreneurs are accessing credit for the third or subsequent time?
  • How many investment recipients have adopted practices, technologies, or solutions to reduce climate-related risks?
  • How many women-led cooperatives have improved their capacity to implement climate-smart practices?
  • Enterprises supported profits
  • Enterprises Supported Turnover
  • Income at the household level
  1. Access to Finance and Financial Inclusion
  • What is the total number of women receiving financial or business development services under the programme?
  • What is the total amount of non-repayable (grant) financing disbursed to women entrepreneurs for climate-smart investments?
  • What is the total amount of repayable (loan) financing disbursed to women entrepreneurs?
  • How many financial institutions have received grant financing to develop or scale climate-smart finance products targeting women entrepreneurs?
  • How many women have received financial education training from financial institutions as part of the lending process?
  1. Capacity Building and Knowledge Development
  • How many women entrepreneurs have received long-term business advisory support?
  • How many have been trained in:
    • Climate risk reduction?
    • Environmental and Social Governance (ESG)?
    • Leadership and management?
    • Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) prevention?
    • Policy processes and human rights frameworks related to women’s economic participation in a green economy?
  • How many women’s cooperatives have received capacity-building support in business and financial management for climate-smart investments?
  • How many women have been supported to formalize their businesses?
  • How many women informal entrepreneurs have received training in financial education and entrepreneurship?
  • How many individuals (male/female/diverse) have been trained in climate-smart technologies and practices?
  • How many climate or gender mainstreaming toolkits have been developed?
  1. Gender Equality and Leadership
  • How many women hold leadership positions in targeted government institutions that work with women entrepreneurs?
  • How many women-led organizations or cooperatives understand and implement SGBV prevention mechanisms?
  • How many people have participated in activities led by Gender Equality Champions at the community level?
  1. Policy and Institutional Strengthening
  • How many policy and regulatory institutions have integrated gender considerations into their legislative processes?
  • How many policymakers have been trained to integrate gender into laws and regulatory frameworks?
  • How many policymakers have been trained to integrate climate into laws and regulatory frameworks?
  • How many public servants have been trained on gender and/or climate-sensitive policy design?
  • How many knowledge products (gender, investment, or climate-related) have been developed annually?

Deliverables

The work of the selected firm is considered successful after several deliverables are produced, and AECF has judged their quality acceptable. All deliverables will be reviewed by the AECF team, which will support the firm by providing guidance, answering any questions, and offering input. The deliverables should be both in English and French.

The outputs include:

  • Inception report. Provide detailed methodology, sampling framework, data collection tools, work plan, and stakeholder engagement plan.
  • Draft Baseline Report: Preliminary findings, data analysis, and indicator baseline values.
  • Result Measurement Frameworks for each of the Investees
  • Validation Workshop: Presentation and discussion of key findings with AECF and local stakeholders
  • Final Baseline Report: Final Baseline Report (Max 30 pages) incorporating feedback, baseline indicator matrix, and recommendations
  • Specific inputs to be provided by AECF

AECF will provide guidance and support to facilitate the work of the consultants:

  • Background documents to help the selected firm to familiarize themselves with the Program, including IIW B&B’s Project Implementation Plan (PIP), Performance Measurement Framework (PMF), Donor reports, Logical framework, etc.
  • The full list of IIW BEK contracted portfolio companies includes the contact person’s name, industry, and contact details.

Qualifications and experience from the Firm and Personnel

  • Minimum of 10 years’ experience in conducting gender, agribusiness, or livelihoods studies in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Demonstrated expertise in baseline studies, mixed-methods research, and impact measurement.
  • Strong background in women’s economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and private sector development.
  • Proven experience working with SMEs, cooperatives, and financial institutions.
  • Knowledge of Benin and Burkina Faso socio-economic contexts, and proficiency in English and French.
  • Team composition should include:
    • Team Leader: Advanced degree in Economics, Development Studies, or Gender Studies.
    • Gender Specialist: Expertise in women’s empowerment and social inclusion.
    • Financial Sector Analyst: Experience with SME and cooperative financing.
    • Data Analyst/Statistician: Quantitative and qualitative data management expertise.
    • Field Coordinators/Enumerators: Familiar with local languages and communities.

Duration of the assignment

The assignment is expected to be completed in 120 working days over one year, with phased delivery and rolling approvals.

Reporting

The Consultant will report to the Programme Manager and the Senior Impact Officer, with support from the ESG specialist, the Gender specialist, and the Agribusiness Director.

Confidentiality

All data and information collected or received for this study will be kept strictly confidential and used exclusively to execute the TOR. All the intellectual property rights stemming from the execution of the TOR belong to AECF. The content of written materials that are obtained and utilized during this task will not be shown to third parties without the written consent of AECF.

Proposal submission

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

  1. Qualifications and experience as indicated in the evaluation criteria.
  2. The approach and methodology to undertake this assignment are underpinned by a demonstration of value for money.
  3. A detailed financial budget (in USD) and work plan.
  4. The technical and financial proposals must be submitted as separate documents.

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

Pricing

The AECF is obliged by the Kenyan tax authorities to withhold tax 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 under Kenya tax legislation when developing their proposals.

Evaluation Criteria

MANDATORY EVALUATION CRITERIA.

  1. Mandatory Requirements for firms: –
  1. Company profile.
  2. Trading license, Certificate of incorporation, Certificate of Registration, and other statutory documents.
  3. Valid Tax Compliance certificate (Applicable to firms).
  4. Passport/National Identification of the lead consultant and key personnel

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 to be supported. All members will be bound by the same standards of confidentiality. The consultant should ensure they fully address all criteria for a comprehensive evaluation.

The AECF may request and receive clarification from any consultant during the evaluation of 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 the qualified bidder, the technical quality of the proposal will be weighted at 80% under the evaluation criteria. Only the financial proposal of those bidders who qualify technically will be opened. The financial proposal will be given a 20% weighting, and proposals will be ranked by total points scored.

The mandatory and desirable criteria for evaluating proposals are listed in the table below.

No. Criteria for assessment Weighted award
Technical Proposal 80
An understanding of the terms of reference
1. Demonstrate understanding of the assignment, context, and expected outcomes. 10
2. Demonstrated understanding of qualitative research and analysis 10
Methodology and work plan that will deliver the best value on the assignment
1. Soundness and feasibility of the proposed technical approach and methodology 20
Qualification and Experience
1. Qualification and experience of the consultant/team and evidence of relevant certification 20
2. Demonstrated experience and relevant services are undertaken by the applicant in past engagements, with evidence linking to previous work done / completion certificate 10
3. All required registration and certification documents, and at least 3 signed reference letters for similar work. 10
Financial Proposal
1. Detailed showing the level of effort of the team, Clarity, relevance, and reality to market value/ value for money of cost for the assignment (inclusive of any applicable tax, reimbursable, and travel where applicable). 20

 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 firms are requested to submit their technical and financial proposal to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org by 20thth Feb 2026, 5 pm (EAT).
  • All questions should be directed to the procurement email by 12th Feb 2026, 5 pm (EAT).
  • The subject of the email should be ‘’CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO CONDUCT A BASELINE STUDY FOR THE INVESTING IN WOMEN PROGRAM IN BENIN AND BURKINA FASO”. The AECF shall not be liable for failing to open proposals submitted under a different subject or for responding to questions that did not meet the indicated deadline.
  • Click here to view the FAQs

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.