Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) - Consulting Firm for Youth Agribusiness

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE (IITA)

INTERNAL & EXTERNAL ADVERTISEMENT

Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) - Selection of a Consulting Firm for Youth Agribusiness Training, Mentorship and Business Development Support

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), a member of CGIAR, is a not-for-profit research organization dedicated to developing and promoting agricultural innovations that address Africa's most pressing challenges, including hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Through its collaboration with governments, development partners, research institutions, and the private sector, IITA works to improve livelihoods, strengthen food and nutrition security, create employment opportunities, and promote sustainable agricultural development across sub-Saharan Africa. Under the African Development Bank (AfDB)-funded Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) Program, IITA is implementing interventions to accelerate the adoption of proven agricultural technologies, with a strong focus on strengthening seed systems to increase the availability and accessibility of certified seeds of improved, climate-resilient crop varieties.

As part of the TAAT Program, IITA is implementing the project "Building a Sustainable Private Sector-Led Seed Sector in Rwanda's Food Basket Sites," which seeks to strengthen Rwanda's seed sector through a market-driven and private sector-led approach. The project supports 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 support 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 intends to engage a qualified service provider to deliver structured agribusiness training, entrepreneurship learning, mentorship, and business development support, enabling youth groups to develop bankable business plans, access financing, manage loans responsibly, and operate sustainable agribusiness enterprises.

Within the TAAT ecosystem, IITA Rwanda, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI)- Rwanda, intends to engage a consulting firm to deliver structured agribusiness training, entrepreneurship learning, mentorship, and business development support, enabling youth groups to develop bankable business plans, access financing, manage loans responsibly, and operate sustainable agribusiness enterprises.

SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

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 support. Key areas of focus will include entrepreneurship, agribusiness management, financial literacy, marketing, value chain development, governance, leadership, and risk management. The provider will also develop and deliver training modules, webinars, mentoring sessions, and digital learning resources to ensure continuous learning throughout the project period.

In addition, the consulting firm will support youth groups in developing bankable agribusiness business plans by conducting market and financial analyses, designing investment and financing strategies, and strengthening enterprise viability. Continuous mentorship and coaching will be provided through advisory services, performance monitoring, and support in addressing operational and management challenges. The provider will further assist youth groups in establishing sound financial management systems, improving record-keeping practices, promoting responsible loan utilization and repayment, and facilitating engagement with financial institutions when required.