Consulting Services for De-Risking Product Implementation, Market Study

Deadline: 20 November 2023 at 14:00 hrs. German time

and Training

Country: Rwanda

Ref.-N°: BMZ 201467737/KFW 510258

Ref.: International, open Tender for Project: Promoting Growth and Export-Oriented Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Rwanda

Submission deadline: 20.11.2023, 14:00 German time

Tenderer: Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD)

Project Measures:

An Export Growth Facility (EGF) was designed by the Government of Rwanda in the year 2015 with the goal of providing access to financial services for exporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as technical assistance for banks. The EGF is based in the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) and has 4 windows: 1. an Investment Catalyst Fund which provides loans for export-oriented businesses; 2. a matching Grant Facility which provides grants for firms looking to penetrate regional and international markets; 3. an Export Credit Guarantee Fund, which will offer specific transaction-related guarantees to commercial banks to securitize export finance transactions and 4. an Industrial Start-Up Facility which promotes borrowers setting up new businesses.

However, more effort is necessary to develop the export market's full potential. Especially the knowledge about the Rwandan export market and about the management of export projects within BRD, commercial banks and exporter firms is limited. Additionally, exporters and financial providers need further instruments which help them mitigating the risk. It is against this background that BRD seeks to hire external consultancy services to improve the knowledge and product line in the Rwandan export market and get extended knowledge and understanding of the techniques for financing international supply chains.

Requested Services:

This project comprises the following packages:

(1) Comprehensive study of the Rwandan export market

(2) Development and Implementation of de-risking products for exporters

(3) Customized trainings in technical and financial management

Within this assignment the firm should conduct a comprehensive study of the Rwandan export market to gain a deep understanding of the current situation and the needs of the different stakeholders. This information will equip BRD with the information to make informed decisions in export sector financing. Based on this study suitable de-risking instruments will be developed/designed and implemented to support exporters. To provide extended knowledge in financial management of export projects, exporters and staff from financial providers will be trained.

The overall contract period will be 36 months. The export market study will be conducted in the first four months of the project period. The training courses and the development and implementation of the de-risking products will be ongoing tasks.

The consulting services must be provided by a team composed of international and local experts with long- and short-term involvement in the project. To be considered qualified to perform the services, the firm's personnel must be experienced in conducting market studies on international trade, in the design and implementation of de-risking instruments and in the provision of trainings in the financial sector, specifically in export sector financing. These services require as a minimum the expertise of a de-risking specialist/team leader, a research expert and a financial training expert with experience in the respective fields and in East Africa. The firm needs also provide supporting personnel (backstopping).

A hybrid work arrangement that combines both, remote and on-site work, for all the consultancy team members is possible. The different profiles need to be available for several short-/medium- term stays in Rwanda, e.g. for the training courses. The shortlisted applicants will be asked in the RfP to provide suggestions about their arrangements on remote/on-site work.

The prequalification of experienced Consultants is subject to the regulations contained in the „Guidelines for Assignment of Consultants in Financial Co-operation Projects" (see https://www.kfw-entwicklungsbank.de/PDF/Download-Center/PDF-Dokumente-Richtlinien/FZ- Vergaberichtlinien-V-2021-EN.pdf). The contract will be awarded to an independent Consultant with proven experience in financial sector and the region and a minimum annual turnover of Euro 350,000.-. Please contact the tender agent by email to register and to receive the complete PQ documents: Stephanie Weber tendermail@poste.de, cc. procurement@brd.rw.