AU-IBAR : Piloting Enhanced Production of MSelection of Organizations/Consultancy Firms for AU-IBAR’s Database to Provide Training Services on Inclusive Agribusiness Development and Management for Livestock, Fisheries and Aquaculture

AU-IBAR : Piloting Enhanced Production of MSelection of Organizations/Consultancy Firms for AU-IBAR’s Database to Provide Training Services on Inclusive Agribusiness Development and Management for Livestock, Fisheries and Aquaculture Description

Introduction

The African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialized technical office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) of the African Union Commission (AUC). AU-IBAR’s mandate is to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries and wildlife as resources for both human wellbeing and economic development in the Member States of the African Union.

Agriculture is a major source of employment and foreign exchange in Africa. African nations have for a long time recognized the importance of agro-based industrialization as a thrust for their economic growth. Agriculture and agribusiness, have been among the fastest growing sectors since the 1990s, and the growing demand for food, and high value agricultural products such as meat and dairy products in particular, is setting the stage for continued opportunities for investment. By 2030, the value of agriculture and agribusiness industries in sub-Saharan Africa is projected to reach US$ 1 trillion, compared to US$ 313 billion in 2010. As Africa’s population increases, urbanization, changing consumer food preferences, are all expected to increase the demand for the consumption of animal source foods. The livestock sector for example currently accounts for almost one-third of the value added of African agriculture, and it is anticipated to become one of the main, if not the largest, contributors to agriculture in the coming decades.

Several animal resource (livestock, fisheries and aquaculture) agribusinesses exist in Africa although operations are mostly conducted on small scale with minimal commercialization. This is partly due to the fact that African agro-based micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) face constraints which are mostly technical, institutional or policy related. These constraints are partly responsible for the high post-harvest losses, low quality of inputs and farm products, low value addition, low technology adoption, high agribusiness failure rates, inadequate entrepreneurial and practical skills, among others.  These constraints have also limited the competitiveness Africa’s agricultural commodities and their access to markets.

There is a consensus within Africa that agriculture needs to be transformed using the powers of science, technology and agribusiness and importantly through enabling policy frameworks, institutional and human capacity development. Policy transformation and human capacity development linked to agribusiness development and management have emerged as critical tools that can be used to advocate for greater intra-African trade.

The coming into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) further reinforces the importance of having a strong agribusiness base to contribute to boosting the productive capacity in the agricultural sector. One important benefit of the AFCFTA is the obligation that participating trading countries grant each other trade preferences. In this way, AfCFTA member countries would source more intermediate and final goods among themselves rather than import from abroad. This inherent demand for goods within the AfCFTA could catalyze productive and manufacturing capacities in Africa and thereby boost intra-African trade. To enable farmers, manufactures, traders and other players in the agricultural sector take advantage of this preferential trading requirement, a strong agribusiness base is required to support the development of national and regional value chains. This is why programmes that promote agribusiness development and management are become very important.

As part of AU-IBAR’s dual objective of supporting effective integration of animal resources value chains in the AFCFTA, and the generation of jobs for women and youth, AU-IBAR is developing a database for organizations/consultancy firms focused on providing various training services on inclusive agribusiness development and management across the livestock, fisheries and aquaculture value chains in Africa. Selected organizations/consultancy firms will be engaged on needs basis to partner with AU-IBAR to provide targeted interventions to women and youth agribusinesses in the animal resources sector.  

Objective of the Expression Of Interest (EOI)

The objective of this EoI is identify, select and partner with internationally recognized and results-oriented Business Development Organizations/consultancy firms with experience in the African agri-business environment to deliver training on three key areas of focus to strengthen the capacity of women and youth in inclusive agribusiness development and management across the livestock, fisheries and aquaculture value chains.

Areas for Engagement

Interested organizations can apply to any of the following “Lots” which are all in reference to the animal resources sector (livestock, fisheries and aquaculture).  Applications should clearly indicate the specific Lot being applied for. For each lot applied for, applicants should include detailed information on specific services already provided, or which are ongoing, countries engaged, sectors which were involved, date services were delivered and relevant referee(s).

The lots are as follows:

• Lot 1: Training on Agribusiness Innovation and Incubation management for women and youth (accelerators, incubators and start-ups) to design, develop and sustain their agribusiness processes ,performance, market access and trade facilitation.
• Lot 2:    Training on identification and establishment of robust agribusiness investment opportunities and mechanisms for blended finance in priority and inclusive Livestock, Fisheries and Aquaculture value Chains
• Lot 3: Training on Agri-technology for productivity and market access, technology and innovations (digital applications), e-commerce within priority and inclusive Livestock, Fisheries and Aquaculture food systems

Criteria for Eligibility

The criteria to be applied in the selection of the business development company/organization:

1. Should provide statutory documents such as Certificate of Registration, Valid Trade License, VAT Registration Certificate;
2. Must have national or international accreditation for delivering services in the chosen Lot;
3. Evidence of the quality and technical capacity of personnel to undertake the required service, technical leadership of the organization, as well as qualifications,   commitment of and availability of staff with subject matter expertise, proof or past records of business development activities; sustainability of personal, Key Staff CVs and Certificates should be attached;
4. Evidence and quality of agribusiness services (where necessary including training modules and their accreditation, training facilities, AU languages used);
5. Information on services conducted by the organization in the past 5 years in the area of inclusive agribusiness development and management in the livestock, fisheries and aquaculture value chains;
6. The institution’s ability, capacity and readiness to provide the services and affordability of the services based on Lot being applied for;
7. Partnerships which the organization has established with other business development institutions at the regional, continental and international levels;
8. Evidence of familiarity with African animal resources sector and business environment
9. Ability to train and handle documents in the AU languages.

Required Information

The following information must be submitted as part of the application package:

1. Background and introduction to the institutions [including name and address of the organization, Name of the Head of the organization (Responsible Official), telephone and e-mail address and Web site];
2. Vision, Mission, and geographical scope of the organization;
3. Evidence of the legal status and budgetary provisions in place to assure the sustainability and functioning of the organization;
4. Documented proof (certificates) of accreditation to undertake agribusiness development and management services, and a clear indication of the scope of the accreditation;
5. Details of agri-business development and management training services conducted by the organization in the past 5 years especially with regards to the African animal resource value chains (livestock, Fisheries and aquaculture);
6. Information on expertise and capabilities in delivering the required services particularly for animal resources value chains (include CVs of core staff involved in delivering the relevant services based on the Lot of interest;
7. List of affiliations and collaboration agreements with other business development organization continentally and globally.

Submission of Applications

The deadline for submission is 18^th May 2021 at 17.00 Hrs East African Time.

The Expression of Interest must be submitted by email to: procurement-210427-1@au-ibar.org  with a copy to khalid.seid@au-ibar.org, or by post addressed to the following address with subject titled: “SELECTION OF ORGANIZATIONS/CONSULTANCY FIRMS FOR AU-IBAR’S DATABASE TO PROVIDE TRAINING SERVICES ON INCLUSIVE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT FOR LIVESTOCK, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE VALUE CHAINS”.

The Director
The Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources
Kenindia Business Park, Museum Hill, Westlands Road
P.O. Box 30786 00100
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: +254 (20) 3674 000,
Fax: +254 (20) 3674 341 / 2.