Request for Expressions of Interest for Consultancy Services

 INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE (IITA) 

TECHNOLOGIES FOR AFRICAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION (TAAT) PHASE II/ ADDENDUM GERMANY FUND 

TAAT PROGRAM MANAGEMENT UNIT (PMU) 

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST 

CONSULTANCY SERVICES 

SECTOR: Agriculture 

CONSULTANCY SERVICES: Selection of a Consulting Firm for Youth Agribusiness Training, Mentorship and Business Development assist 

TAAT II: Financing Agreement reference: 5900155019276 

Project ID. P-Z1-AA0-139

_______________________________________________________________________ 

This request for expression of interest (REOI) follows the General Procurement Notice for this Project that appeared on the African Development Bank Group’s Internet Website(www.afdb.org) 12th August 2022. 

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is implementing the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) Program phase II, financed through a grant from the African Development Bank as administrators of funds under the TAAT II Addendum. IITA intends to apply part of the proceeds of the grant to facilitate payment for the Selection of Firm for Youth Agribusiness training, curriculum development, mentorship, business plan preparation, and enterprise development in collaboration with project partners. 

IITA and the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI)- Rwanda, seeks to strengthen Rwanda's seed sector through a market-driven and private sector-led approach by supporting youth agripreneurs establish profitable enterprises engaged in certified maize seed production and basic seed potato multiplication by fostering partnerships with anchor seed companies, Farmer Service Centers (FSCs), financial institutions, and other stakeholders. While technical assist for seed production will be provided by anchor seed companies, there is also a need to strengthen the entrepreneurial, financial management, and business development capacities of youth enterprises to ensure their long-term sustainability.

To achieve this, IITA in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI)- Rwanda, intends to engage a qualified consulting firm to deliver structured agribusiness training, entrepreneurship learning, mentorship, and business development assist, enabling youth groups to create bankable business plans, access financing, oversee loans responsibly, and operate sustainable agribusiness enterprises.

The consulting firm is expected to carry out the assignment in accordance with the Terms of Reference (ToR) specified inAppendix 1 below. Among others, the consulting firm will deliver agribusiness training and capacity-building services to youth groups through a combination of in-person workshops, learning, mentorship, and business development assist. Key areas of focus will include entrepreneurship, agribusiness management, financial literacy, marketing, value chain development, governance, leadership, and risk management. The provider will also create and deliver training modules, webinars, mentoring sessions, and digital learning resources to ensure continuous learning throughout the project period. 

IITA now invites eligible consulting firms to submit their Expression of Interest (EOI), including detailed information. Interested firms must be legally registered entities with a minimum year of incorporation of five (5) years, with demonstrated experience in entrepreneurship development, agribusiness training, youth enterprise development, and business incubation. Firms should have the capacity to deliver both in-person and training programs, possess qualified personnel with expertise in agribusiness and enterprise development, and demonstrate experience working with financial institutions and enterprise financing initiatives. Strong organizational capacity and a proven track record of implementing similar assignments are also required. The assignment shall be for one (1) year and half, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and project requirements. 

Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure(Quality and Cost Based Selection)shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s Procurement policy framework, October 2015, which is available on the Bank’s website at https://www.afdb.org/en/projects-and operations/procurement/new-procurement-policy 

Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours from 08:00-16:30

Expressions of interest should be delivered to the emails below on or beforeMonday 12th October 2026 at 16:30 pm. Any proposal received after the closing date shall be rejected.

Attn: Zozo Rachel 

Interim TAAT Program Coordinator | Program Management Unit 

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture,www.iita.org

Headquarters & West Africa Hub 

PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan 200001, Oyo State, Nigeria 

International Mailing Address: IITA, Carolyn House, 26 Dingwall Road, Croydon, CR9 3EE, UK Email:R.Zozo@cgiar.org 

Copy: m.a.bakare@cgiar.org