(EoI)-Consultancy for Delivering of Training on Rules of Origin in the Context of Implementation of AFCFTA for Rwanda Manufacturers

1. Introduction

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federally owned international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations. GIZ has worked in Rwanda for over 30 years. The primary objectives between the Government of Rwanda and the Federal Republic of Germany are poverty reduction and promotion of sustainable development. To achieve these objectives, GIZ Rwanda is active in the sectors of Decentralization and Good Governance, Economic Development and Employment Promotion, Energy, and ICT (Information and Communications Technology).

2. Context

After only 3,5 years of free trade negotiations amongst all 55 African countries, the African Continental Free Trade Area, in brief, AfCFTA, was established. The AfCFTA was operational-ised on 30th May 2019, 30 days after Sierra Leone and Sahara Republic deposited the last two necessary ratifications with the African Union (AU) for the AfCFTA to legally come into force for the ratifying countries. This landmark agreement offers significant promise for the continent’s transformation.

Through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Germany currently provides technical support to the African Union Commission (AUC), specifically to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the AfCFTA Secretariat, with its project “African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)”. The project’s main objective is that “the framework conditions for intra-African trade have been strengthened”. Besides the outstanding topics of AfCFTA Phase I on Trade in Goods and Trade in Services, phase II and III issues, such as Investment, competition policy or digital trade are supported. Furthermore, involvement of the private sector and civil society are supported.

To this end, the project pursues a multi-level approach on the continental level working with the AUC DTI and AfCFTA Secretariat, the regional level supporting Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and also the national level, specifically in the projects focus countries, like Rwanda.

The Republic of Rwanda like many African member states currently do not have enough capacities to successfully realise the AfCFTA. The specific roles to be played by the government, private sector, and civil society are currently not fully supported with requisite knowledge and skills for each to implement the commitments under the AfCFTA.  Although responsibilities have been defined in the framework agreement, the specific working methods still need to be established in Rwanda through the National Strategy for Implementation of AfCFTA. This requires building the capacity of all the key stakeholders in specific matters of trade in goods and services among others, trade in services as well as awareness raising and strengthening the necessary institutional and legal frameworks for realising the AfCFTA at a National level. 

3. Background on Rwanda

 Rwanda is not a large exporter of manufactured products. World Development Indicators by the World Bank which excludes tea, coffee, and mineral exports from the list of manufactured products, reveals that Rwanda’s manufactured product exports averaged only 0.5% of GDP during the 1996-2010 period. This amounts to an estimated USD$1.5 per capita in real terms (constant USD, 2000) or a total of approximately USD$30m in total manufactured exports (current USD, 2010). These figures include re-exports (such as cars and machinery), which have been misclassified as actual exports, so the actual numbers could be substantially lower. On average, less than 10% of the output of Rwanda’s manufacturing sector is exported, which means that manufacturing firms in Rwanda are predominantly focused on the domestic market. Rwanda’s exports sector remains dominated by commodity exporters in the tea, coffee and minerals sectors. Out of the top 20 exporters in 2010 there were 5 tea companies, 5 coffee processors/exporters, and 8 mining firms. These firms are 100% export oriented, with the local market for roasted coffee, processed tea, and minerals being relatively small

Manufacturers in Rwanda are grouped in Rwanda Association of Manufacturers (RAM) as an organization focused on enhancing business opportunities and environment for Rwandan manufacturers. This is dedicated to ensuring that members take advantage of business locally, regionally, and internationally and that their voices are heard and represented in all spheres of influence.

4. Objectives

The objectives of the proposed training would be as follows:

The main objective of the training is to strengthen the technical capacity of the members of Rwanda Association of Manufacturers   to be able to understand criteria  followed to ascertain  the origin of goods  so as  to be given preferential treatment of a good manufactured  in Rwanda. This training will equip these members with skills and knowledge to achieve the following specific objectives.

• To build the competitiveness of the manufacturers of Rwanda to be able to manufacture for export in COMESA, ECCAS, EAC and ultimately explore upcoming opportunities brought by AfCFTA
• To raise standards of the products manufactured in Rwanda by meeting all the requirements of African Market
• To raise awareness of the benefits and developments brought about by the AfCFTA for Rwandan SMEs in manufacturing sector.
• To develop skills to be able to access a wider market in the context of the AfCFTA, all which will be key to equipping Rwandan -owned SMEs to overcome the challenges and seize the opportunities provided by this agreement.

5. Specific tasks

GIZ AfCFTA is seeking an individual consultant or a consulting company to develop content for a face-to-face training including the facilitation of the workshop in Rwanda for the ‘Rules of origin training for Rwanda Manufacturers. Successful applicants must be familiar with the AfCFTA and EAC. Some of the other specific tasks include

• Developing the content for the face-to-face training and delivering the training
• Serving as a subject matter expert on the ‘rules of origin’ training module, through the provision of training content.
• Conceptualizing the delivery of the face-to-face training
• Produce the training content customized for Rwandan manufacturers for the ‘ rules of origin’ in consultation with Rwanda manufacturers Association.
• Able to deliver a training in Rwanda,

6. Output and deliverables:

The training contains the following outputs

• Preparation of training module
• Preparation and facilitation of a training of up to 50 participants from Rwanda Association of Manufacturers.
• Assessment of the training and handover a report on the training results
• Final report of the training which contains feedback from participants

7. Duration and Timeframe

The consultancy contract is planned for up to 12 expert days starting from 07th to 30thJune 2021 . The timeframe of this training is very important, and it is essential that the results will be delivered on time.

8. Proposed Workplan

Deliverable

Activity-Working expert days( Up to )

Module preparation-5 days

Preparation and Facilitation of training-5 days

Documentation and reporting-2 days

Total expert workdays ( up to)-12 expert days

9. The minimum qualification and experience requirements

 The consultant must have the following

• Master’s degree in International Trade, Business Management and Business Law
• Specific training in Rules of Origin, Customs union operations, World Customs Organisations.
• Having worked for 5 years in institutions handling International Trade operations like Customs Authority, Regional Economic Communities, and others handling rules of Origin matters.
• 1 assignment accomplished indicating the knowledge of the AfCFTA and EAC matters
• Proof of 3 different trainings prepared and delivered
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

10. Costing requirements

This consultancy will be costed on man days worked on this assignment.

The contractor will facilitate the organization of the different activities related but the expenditures related to those activities will be fully covered by GIZ/AfCFTA Country component.

11. Inputs of GIZ or other actors

GIZ AfCFTA Rwanda Country component is expected to make the following available:

Training logistics.

12. Submission of EoI

EoI will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Company or individual profile,
• Relevant experience,
• Company strategies to assure agility, flexibility, and responsiveness,
• Personnel and,
• Financial offer.

The EoI should contain the following:

For Technical Proposal:

• A Cover letter expressing interest in this assignment.
• Technical Proposal with a brief description of why you would be considered as the most suitable for the assignment, relevant expertise, and a detailed clear methodology, on how will be your approach and complete the assignment.
• It should be formatted, font type ARIAL, fond size 11, and should be clearly formulated. The offer should be drawn up in English language.
• The CVs shall not exceed 4 pages.
• Company or business registration certificate
• References and recommendations of similar works executed by the company in Rwanda or elsewhere outside of Rwanda.
• VAT registration certificate if available
• Latest tax clearance certificate

For the Financial Proposal:

The Financial Proposal indicates the contract price, supported by a breakdown of consultancy fee per day + all other costs such us (if needed)  daily allowance, accommodation expenses. The cost must be in RWF and VAT excluded.

Please submit your EoI documents in two separate envelopes (1 for technical offer and 1 for financial offer) until latest Wednesday 12 may  2021 at 4:00 pm, at the front desk of:

GIZ Office Kigali/Rwanda

KN 41 Street / Nr.17 – Kiyovu

B.P 59 Kigali – Rwanda

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