About AECF

The AECF, LLC (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) is a leading non-profit development organization that supports innovative enterprises in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors with the aim of reducing rural poverty, promoting climate-resilient communities, and creating jobs.

We catalyze the private sector by surfacing and commercializing new ideas, business models, and technologies that increase agricultural productivity, improve farmers’ incomes, expand access to clean energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance resilience to climate change. We finance high-risk businesses that struggle to access commercial funding. We are committed to working in frontier markets, fragile contexts, and high-risk economies where few mainstream financing institutions are willing to operate.

To date, we have supported over 698 businesses in 26 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, impacted more than 36 million lives, and created over 35,000 direct jobs. The AECF is headquartered in Kenya and has offices in Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Sudan, Benin, and Somalia.

About the Investing in Women Program- Benin and Burkina Faso

The Investing in Women in Benin and Burkina Faso (IIW-B&BF) is a six-year gender transformation and economic inclusion programme implemented by AECF with funding from Global Affairs Canada. The programme aims to economically empower women as entrepreneurs in sectors with a strong positive climate impact, including technological innovation, digital technology, agriculture, production, processing, crafts, and trade, by removing obstacles that prevent them from contributing to the development of their activities.

The programme aims to improve the participation and economic resilience of women entrepreneurs in a greener economy in Benin and Burkina Faso. These include access to finance for women-owned SMEs, women’s cooperatives and emerging women entrepreneurs emerging women entrepreneurs; improving the capacity of women owners and managers of SMEs and women’s cooperatives to sustainably develop the value chains in which they primarily value chains in which they mainly work, using climate-smart approaches; and overcome entrenched social and cultural resistance to women’s empowerment at national, sectoral and community levels.

The IIW-Benin & Burkina program includes the following main elements:

1. Window 1 part 1: Investment in SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises)

For SME concessional loans

1. Allocation of a minimum fund of 50,000 Canadian dollars
2. And a maximum amount of 750,000 Canadian dollars

For grants to SMEs (non-refundable)

1. Allocation of a minimum fund of 50,000 Canadian dollars
2. And a maximum amount of 750,000 Canadian dollars

The funding provided a grant/participation ratio of at least 1:0.5 (100% grant/50% participation).

1. Window 1 part 2: Investment in Financial institutions and Financial Services intermediaries (FIs)

For MFI concessional loans

1. Allocation of a minimum fund of 150,000 Canadian dollars
2. And a maximum amount of 750,000 Canadian dollars

For MFI audited grants (non-refundable)

1. Allocation of a minimum fund of 100,000 Canadian dollars
2. And a maximum amount of 500,000 Canadian dollars

For financial institutions and financial services intermediaries (FIs), the financing range, which can be a mix of grants and loans, or 100% loan, is contained between a minimum of 100,000 to 1,000,000 Canadian dollars.

• The financing agreement is for 4 years.

The funding provided is accompanied by a grant/participation ratio of at least 1:1 (100% grant/100% participation).

Window 2: Investment in Cooperatives and Women’s Organizations

• Allocation of a minimum fund of 75,000 Canadian dollars
• The maximum funds amount is worth 300,000 Canadian dollars

The funding provided has a minimum grant-to-participation ratio of 1:0.25 (100% grant/25% participation).
All matching contributions may be in-kind or in cash.

The duration of the financing agreement is 4 years

Countries of experience:

• Benin and Burkina Faso in agnostic sectors with Agribusiness as a priority.

Currently, the program has contracted two MFIs in Benin and two MFIs in Burkina Faso. In addition, one SME has been contracted, with portfolio construction projected to be completed by the end of 2025. In Benin, the program has contracted with five investees (two MFIs and three SMEs). The remaining investees are expected to be selected by the end of 2025. In Burkina Faso, the program has contracted three investees (two MFIs and one SME). In addition, two SMEs are expected to be contracted by the end of 2025, with the remaining investees to be selected by March 2026.

Background to the assignment

The purpose of the baseline study is to establish a comprehensive reference point for assessing progress and measuring the effectiveness of the Investing in Women program in Benin & Burkina Faso over its implementation period. The baseline will provide quantitative and qualitative data to:

• With reference to the programs Performance Measurement Framework (PMF), benchmark key performance indicators related to women’s economic empowerment, access to finance, and business performance.
• Understand the current state of women’s participation in agribusiness across value chains in Benin and Burkina Faso.
• Identify existing financial inclusion barriers faced by women, youth, and marginalized communities.
• Provide insights into the capacity, gender practices, and inclusivity of partner SMEs, cooperatives, and financial institutions.
• Establish a foundation for future midline and endline evaluations to measure impact and learning.

Objectives of the assignment

The program aims to conduct a comprehensive baseline assessment that captures the socio-economic, financial, and institutional context within which the IIW program operates and establishes baseline values for key program indicators. Specifically,

• Assess the current participation and roles of women in agribusiness value chains in targeted regions of Benin and Burkina Faso.
• Establish the current access to and use of financial services by women and marginalized communities, including formal and informal channels.
• Profile SMEs, cooperatives, and financial institutions participating or targeted for support, including their gender integration capacity and business performance.
• Identify systemic, cultural, and institutional barriers limiting women’s economic participation and leadership in agribusiness.
• Document opportunities and enabling factors that could enhance women’s inclusion and benefit from IIW interventions.
• Provide baseline values for project outcome and output indicators (e.g., income levels, job creation, business growth, access to finance, women in leadership roles).

Scope of Work

AECF seeks a consultant/from to undertake the following tasks:

Desk Review

• Review program design documents, theory of change, logical framework, and relevant country strategies.
• Analyze secondary data, including national statistics, gender studies, financial inclusion reports, and agricultural sector analyses.

Field Data Collection

• Conduct fieldwork across selected regions in Benin and Burkina Faso.
• Gather primary data from:
  • Women smallholder farmers and agripreneurs
  • SMEs and agribusinesses supported or targeted by IIW B&B
  • Cooperatives and producer organizations
  • Financial institutions and microfinance institutions
  • Community stakeholders and government representatives

Key Focus Areas

• Economic Empowerment: Income sources, productivity levels, decision-making, access to resources, and control over income.
• Access to Finance: Use of financial products, collateral requirements, and perceived barriers.
• Private Sector Dynamics: Gender-inclusive business models, capacity gaps, and TA needs.
• Social Inclusion: Representation of marginalized groups (youth, women, persons with disabilities).
• Institutional Readiness: Organizational policies, gender mainstreaming capacity, and inclusivity practices.

Data Analysis

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis to identify baseline indicators.
• Disaggregate all data by sex, age, disability, and location.
• Provide comparative insights between Benin and Burkina Faso.

Methodology

The consultant/firm will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, and focus group discussions. Methods will ensure inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups.

• Quantitative: Structured surveys targeting beneficiaries, SMEs, cooperatives, and financial institutions.
• Qualitative: Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), case studies, and gender analysis.
• Sampling: Stratified random sampling across target regions to ensure representativeness.
• Data Quality: Use of digital data collection tools, quality control protocols, and enumerator training.

Baseline Data Collection Questions

The consultant will be expected to collect baseline data to establish reference values for the programme’s indicators. The following guiding questions should inform the design of quantitative and qualitative data collection tools (e.g., surveys, KIIs, FGDs).

1. Program Reach and Enterprise-Level Performance

• What sectors are these SMEs operating in, and what climate-smart technologies or practices have they adopted?
• What is the total amount of sustainable additional financing mobilized by SMEs through program support?
• How many women entrepreneurs are accessing credit for the first time?
• How many women entrepreneurs are accessing credit for the third or subsequent time?
• How many investment recipients have adopted practices, technologies, or solutions to reduce climate-related risks?
• How many women-led cooperatives have improved their capacity to implement climate-smart practices?
• Enterprises supported profits
• Enterprises Supported Turnover
• Income at the household level

2. Access to Finance and Financial Inclusion

• What is the total number of women receiving financial or business development services under the programme?
• What is the total amount of non-repayable (grant) financing disbursed to women entrepreneurs for climate-smart investments?
• What is the total amount of repayable (loan) financing disbursed to women entrepreneurs?
• How many financial institutions have received grant financing to develop or scale climate-smart finance products targeting women entrepreneurs?
• How many women have received financial education training from financial institutions as part of the lending process?

3. Capacity Building and Knowledge Development

• How many women entrepreneurs have received long-term business advisory support?
• How many have been trained in:
  • Climate risk reduction?
  • Environmental and Social Governance (ESG)?
  • Leadership and management?
  • Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) prevention?
  • Policy processes and human rights frameworks related to women’s economic participation in a green economy?

• How many women’s cooperatives have received capacity-building support in business and financial management for climate-smart investments?
• How many women have been supported to formalize their businesses?
• How many women informal entrepreneurs have received training in financial education and entrepreneurship?
• How many individuals (male/female/diverse) have been trained in climate-smart technologies and practices?
• How many climate or gender mainstreaming toolkits have been developed?

4. Gender Equality and Leadership

• How many women hold leadership positions in targeted government institutions that work with women entrepreneurs?
• How many women-led organizations or cooperatives understand and implement SGBV prevention mechanisms?
• How many people have participated in activities led by Gender Equality Champions at the community level?

5. Policy and Institutional Strengthening

• How many policy and regulatory institutions have integrated gender considerations into their legislative processes?
• How many policymakers have been trained to integrate gender into laws and regulatory frameworks?
• How many policymakers have been trained to integrate climate into laws and regulatory frameworks?
• How many public servants have been trained on gender and/or climate-sensitive policy design?
• How many knowledge products (gender, investment, or climate-related) have been developed annually?

Deliverables

The work of the selected firm is considered successful after several deliverables are produced, and AECF has judged their quality acceptable. All deliverables will be reviewed by the AECF team, which will support the firm by providing guidance, answering any questions, and offering input. The deliverables should be both in English and French.

The outputs include:

• Inception report. Provide detailed methodology, sampling framework, data collection tools, work plan, and stakeholder engagement plan.
• Draft Baseline Report: Preliminary findings, data analysis, and indicator baseline values.
• Result Measurement Frameworks for each of the Investees
• Validation Workshop: Presentation and discussion of key findings with AECF and local stakeholders
• Final Baseline Report: Final Baseline Report (Max 30 pages) incorporating feedback, baseline indicator matrix, and recommendations
• Specific inputs to be provided by AECF

AECF will provide guidance and support to facilitate the work of the consultants:

• Background documents to help the selected firm to familiarize themselves with the Program, including IIW B&B’s Project Implementation Plan (PIP), Performance Measurement Framework (PMF), Donor reports, Logical framework, etc.
• The full list of IIW BEK contracted portfolio companies includes the contact person’s name, industry, and contact details.

Qualifications and experience from the Firm and Personnel

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in conducting gender, agribusiness, or livelihoods studies in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Demonstrated expertise in baseline studies, mixed-methods research, and impact measurement.
• Strong background in women’s economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and private sector development.
• Proven experience working with SMEs, cooperatives, and financial institutions.
• Knowledge of Benin and Burkina Faso socio-economic contexts, and proficiency in English and French.
• Team composition should include:
  • Team Leader: Advanced degree in Economics, Development Studies, or Gender Studies.
  • Gender Specialist: Expertise in women’s empowerment and social inclusion.
  • Financial Sector Analyst: Experience with SME and cooperative financing.
  • Data Analyst/Statistician: Quantitative and qualitative data management expertise.
  • Field Coordinators/Enumerators: Familiar with local languages and communities.

Duration of the assignment

The assignment is expected to be completed in 120 working days over one year, with phased delivery and rolling approvals.

Reporting

The Consultant will report to the Programme Manager and the Senior Impact Officer, with support from the ESG specialist, the Gender specialist, and the Agribusiness Director.

Confidentiality

All data and information collected or received for this study will be kept strictly confidential and used exclusively to execute the TOR. All the intellectual property rights stemming from the execution of the TOR belong to AECF. The content of written materials that are obtained and utilized during this task will not be shown to third parties without the written consent of AECF.

Proposal submission

Qualified consultants are invited to submit a proposal that includes the following:

1. Qualifications and experience as indicated in the evaluation criteria.
2. The approach and methodology to undertake this assignment are underpinned by a demonstration of value for money.
3. A detailed financial budget (in USD) and work plan.
4. The technical and financial proposals must be submitted as separate documents.

N/B: SUBMITTING THE FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL DOCUMENT AS ONE DOCUMENT WILL AUTOMATICALLY LEAD TO DISQUALIFICATION OF THE APPLICANT.

Pricing

The AECF is obliged by the Kenyan tax authorities to withhold tax on service contract fees and to ensure that VAT is charged where applicable. Applicants are advised to ensure they have a clear understanding of their tax position under Kenya tax legislation when developing their proposals.

Evaluation Criteria

MANDATORY EVALUATION CRITERIA.

1. Mandatory Requirements for firms: –

1. Company profile.
2. Trading license, Certificate of incorporation, Certificate of Registration, and other statutory documents.
3. Valid Tax Compliance certificate (Applicable to firms).
4. Passport/National Identification of the lead consultant and key personnel

N/B: FAILURE TO ATTACH AND ADHERE TO THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION

An evaluation committee will be formed by the AECF and may include employees of the businesses to be supported. All members will be bound by the same standards of confidentiality. The consultant should ensure they fully address all criteria for a comprehensive evaluation.

The AECF may request and receive clarification from any consultant during the evaluation of a proposal. The evaluation committee may invite some or all of the consultants to appear before it to clarify their proposals. In such an event, the evaluation committee may consider such clarifications in evaluating proposals.

In making the final selection of the qualified bidder, the technical quality of the proposal will be weighted at 80% under the evaluation criteria. Only the financial proposal of those bidders who qualify technically will be opened. The financial proposal will be given a 20% weighting, and proposals will be ranked by total points scored.

The mandatory and desirable criteria for evaluating proposals are listed in the table below.

Application details

The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The AECF considers all interested candidates based on merit without regard to race, gender, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

• Interested firms are requested to submit their technical and financial proposal to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org by 20th^th Feb 2026, 5 pm (EAT).
• All questions should be directed to the procurement email by 12^th Feb 2026, 5 pm (EAT).
• The subject of the email should be ‘’CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO CONDUCT A BASELINE STUDY FOR THE INVESTING IN WOMEN PROGRAM IN BENIN AND BURKINA FASO”. The AECF shall not be liable for failing to open proposals submitted under a different subject or for responding to questions that did not meet the indicated deadline.
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Disclaimer

AECF reserves the right to determine the structure of the process, the number of short-listed participants, the right to withdraw from the proposal process, the right to change this timetable at any time without notice, and reserves the right to withdraw this tender at any time, without prior notice and without liability to compensate and/or reimburse any party.

The AECF does not charge an application fee for participation in the tendering process and has not appointed any agents or intermediaries to facilitate applications. Applicants are advised to contact the AECF Procurement Department directly.