The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) has issued a Request for Expression of Interest (EOI) for a consultancy to undertake a six-country study examining financial services and income-enhancing opportunities available to African Agroecological Enterprises (AAEs).
The assignment will focus on Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Senegal and Togo, with the objective of identifying financial and income-generating opportunities that are accessible and appropriate for enterprises operating within agroecological and food-system contexts.
AFSA is inviting qualified individual consultants and consulting firms with relevant expertise to submit technical and financial proposals for consideration.
About the Consultancy Assignment
The proposed study will map the financial services and income-enhancing opportunities currently available to African Agroecological Enterprises across the six target countries.
The consultancy is expected to identify and profile relevant financial service providers and assess the extent to which their products and services are accessible, affordable and suitable for AAEs. The study will consider the realities faced by agroecological enterprises and identify potential gaps between existing financial products and the actual needs of these businesses.
Based on the findings, the selected consultant or firm will recommend practical service designs, partnerships and referral mechanisms that can improve access to finance and income-enhancing opportunities for agroecological enterprises.
The assignment therefore presents an opportunity for specialists in inclusive finance, agricultural finance, enterprise development, agroecology and food systems research to contribute to a multi-country study with relevance to sustainable agricultural development in Africa.
Countries Covered by the Study
The research will be conducted across six African countries:
- Uganda
- Tanzania
- Zimbabwe
- Zambia
- Senegal
- Togo
Applicants should demonstrate an understanding of the financial and enterprise ecosystems relevant to the countries covered by the assignment. Experience conducting research across multiple African markets will be particularly relevant to the consultancy.
Who Can Apply?
AFSA is accepting applications from both individual consultants and consulting firms with demonstrated experience relevant to the assignment.
Applicants should have expertise and experience in areas such as inclusive finance, agricultural or enterprise finance, agroecology, food systems and multi-country research.
The successful applicant or team will be expected to demonstrate the technical capacity required to conduct a structured study, engage relevant stakeholders, analyse financial service ecosystems and develop practical recommendations.
Experience working with agricultural enterprises, small and medium-sized businesses, farmer organizations, financial institutions or other actors within sustainable food systems would be relevant to the assignment.
Application Requirements
Interested consultants and firms must submit a comprehensive application consisting of both technical and financial documentation.
The application should include a signed letter of bid and a technical proposal of no more than six pages, excluding annexes. The technical proposal should demonstrate the applicant’s understanding of the assignment and outline the proposed methodology, sampling approach, work plan, team organization and quality-assurance arrangements.
Applicants must also provide a profile of the consultant or consulting firm, together with evidence demonstrating relevant professional experience.
At least two samples of comparable assignments should be submitted. AFSA has indicated that these samples will be treated confidentially.
For proposed teams, applicants should provide curricula vitae of team members, clearly identifying each person’s proposed role and relevant experience.
A separate financial proposal in United States dollars is also required. It should clearly indicate professional fees, country-level costs, travel, translation, validation, taxes and any reimbursable expenses associated with the assignment.
How to Apply
Technical and financial proposals should be submitted by email to .
Applicants must use the following email subject:
“AFSA – Financial Services and Income-Enhancing Opportunities Study”
All required documents should be submitted as part of the application before the stated deadline. Applicants should ensure that their proposals are complete and clearly demonstrate their ability to deliver the assignment across the six target countries.
Application Deadline
The submission deadline is 28 August 2026 at 5:00 p.m. East African Time (EAT).
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted by AFSA following the evaluation of submissions.
Interested consultants and firms are encouraged to review the detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) before preparing their proposals. The TOR provides the full scope and requirements of the consultancy and should be used to guide the technical methodology, work plan, team composition and financial proposal.
Why This Consultancy Matters
Access to appropriate financial services remains an important factor in the growth and sustainability of agricultural and agroecological enterprises. Many enterprises require financing and other income-enhancing opportunities that reflect their operational realities, production cycles, market conditions and capacity.
By mapping existing services and assessing their suitability for AAEs, the study will help identify opportunities for stronger connections between agroecological enterprises and financial service providers.
The assignment will also generate recommendations for practical partnerships, service models and referral mechanisms that can improve financial inclusion and support the growth of agroecological enterprises across Africa.
Qualified consultants and firms with relevant experience are therefore encouraged to prepare their proposals and submit them before the 28 August 2026 deadline.
