1.0 Background

The Tanzania Clean Cooking Project (TCCP) is a US$3.75 million, four-year project, funded by the Government of Sweden, that aims to catalyze the clean cooking sector through enhanced private-sector participation. The project provides matching grant financing and technical assistance to small and growing businesses working in clean cooking.

The project seeks to reduce energy poverty by significantly increasing the use of clean cooking solutions in rural, marginalized, and underserved communities. Its outcome will be increased private-sector investment, innovation in affordable clean-cooking solutions, and accelerated access to clean-cooking solutions in Tanzania.

The financing also aims to de-risk companies’ ventures into underserved markets and enhance the affordability and accessibility of clean cooking solutions for at least 60,000 beneficiary households.

The objectives of TCCP are to:

• Support transformational business models that adapt to target markets to accelerate access to affordable clean cooking solutions in rural and marginalized communities in urban and peri-urban areas.
• Support commercially viable small and growing clean cooking companies in the country, out of which at least 20% will be women-owned and/or managed.
• Support innovative ideas that stimulate new approaches to increase affordability and access to clean and efficient cooking solutions.
• Capture and disseminate lessons on how increased access to clean cooking solutions can positively impact the poor, especially women and youth.
• Stimulate stakeholder engagement to improve the policy, legal, and regulatory environment for clean-cooking businesses in the country.

Rationale of the assignment

The AECF is seeking the services of short-term consultant(s) to support eight (8) AECF’s clean cooking investees in Tanzania to;

• Deliver tailored advisory support under the intervention areas set out in this scope.
• Develop usable tools, systems, frameworks, action plans, and training materials that companies can continue applying after the assignment.
• Improve the companies’ readiness for growth, financing, operational discipline, and market expansion.

2.0 Scope of work

The consultant will work with The AECF and the investees’ leadership team to validate and refine the identified TA needs at the company level and deliver the interventions across the functions below:

2.1 Strengthening Marketing and Sales (4 companies)

The consultant shall support four (4) investees in strengthening their market positioning and customer acquisition strategies.

For each investee, the consultant will:

• Assess the current commercial model, including sales structure, customer segments, distribution channels, pricing approach, market positioning, and key barriers to market growth.
• Develop or refine go-to-market strategies, identify priority target customer segments, value proposition, pricing logic, including financing options where relevant), appropriate sales channels and market-entry priorities for targeted regions.
• Design and strengthen distribution and channel partnerships, including agent networks, last-mile distributors, retail partnerships, and community-based sales models, tailored to the target markets.
• Strengthen branding, customer engagement, and market visibility, including messaging, demonstration campaigns, and behaviour change communication to improve awareness and adoption of clean cooking solutions. Develop practical sales and marketing action plans with clear responsibilities, timelines, sales targets, conversion metrics, and customer retention measures.
• Build management capacity to track sales performance, including lead generation, customer conversion, retention, and channel performance through simple monitoring and reporting tools.

2.2 Strengthening Governance & Leadership Effectiveness (7 companies)

The consultant shall support seven (7) investees to strengthen governance and management effectiveness.

For each investee, the consultant will:

• Review existing governance and management arrangements, including organizational structure, decision-making processes, and leadership capacity, and key management gaps.
• Support clarification of governance roles and management responsibilities, including delegation of authority, reporting lines, and accountability structures between founders, management teams, and advisors, if applicable.
• Develop or strengthen governance frameworks, such as advisory board arrangements, board charters, committee structures, and meeting practices, where appropriate to the company’s size and stage.
• Facilitate management training on leadership, strategic planning, performance management, and organizational oversight to strengthen management effectiveness.
• Support second-tier leadership development, including succession planning considerations for founder-led or owner-managed businesses.
• Prepare practical governance improvement roadmaps that outline priority actions, timelines, and responsibilities companies can implement progressively as they scale.

2.3 Strengthening Business Models and Enterprise Viability & Resilience (2 companies)

The consultant shall support two (2) investees in strengthening their business models and resilience to growth.

For each investee, the consultant will:

• Review the viability of the current business model, including core revenue drivers, cost structure, delivery and distribution model, and key constraints affecting growth and scalability.
• Support refinement of business strategy, ensuring that company activities, resources, and investments are aligned to a clearer commercial logic and sustainable growth pathway.
• Develop business continuity and resilience plans that address key operational, supply chain, market, and financial risks.
• Support the development of implementation roadmaps, identifying quick wins, medium-term priorities, and key performance indicators.

2.4 Financial Management, Controls & Reporting Systems (7 companies)

The consultant shall support seven (7) investees to improve financial discipline and reporting.

For each investee, the consultant will:

• Assess existing financial management systems and practices, including internal controls, record-keeping, reporting processes, and key gaps in financial decision support.
• Design or strengthen internal financial controls, including approval processes, documentation standards and practical reporting templates suitable for SME operations. .
• Build management capacity in financial oversight, including budgeting discipline, cash flow management, reporting accuracy, and the use of financial information for operational and strategic decision-making.
• Support companies to improve financial reporting packs for internal management and external stakeholders.
• Recommend practical financial management procedures that are realistic for SMEs to adopt and can be sustained as companies grow.

2.5 Workplace Organization, Process Efficiency, Quality Improvement & ESIA Compliance Support

The consultant shall support investees to improve workplace organization, operational efficiency, product or service quality, and compliance with key environmental and social requirements.

For each investee, the consultant will:

• Assess current workplace organization and operations, including layout, workflow, process bottlenecks, space utilization, safety risks, and operational inefficiencies.
• Recommend practical improvements to workspace design and process flow, including workstation layout, storage systems, zoning, and overall workspace organization.
• Introduce fit-for-purpose workplace organization methods, including 5S principles and simple visual management tools where relevant.
• Conduct an ESIA screening and determine the level of environmental and social assessment and management measures required for each company.
• Conduct an environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) screening to determine the appropriate level of environmental and social risk management required for each company
• Based on the above, develop practical mitigation and compliance measures aligned with applicable environmental, health, and safety standards.
• Develop or strengthen basic quality control measures, process checks, and operating practices to improve product consistency and standards.
• Develop or strengthen basic quality control measures, including process checks, standard operating practices, and quality assurance procedures to improve product and service consistency.
• Train staff and supervisors to support the adoption of improved workplace, operational practices, quality management, and environmental and social compliance

The overall objective of the assignment is to strengthen the capacity of TCCP investees to effectively integrate a gender lens into their business operations, leadership structures, and value chains. The consultant will:

• Build investees’ understanding of gender mainstreaming as a business growth and sustainability strategy.
• Support companies to update their existing gender action plans.
• Strengthen the implementation of gender, safeguarding, and inclusion policies.
• Address barriers limiting women’s participation in production and technical roles.
• Facilitate peer learning and practical exchange among investees.
• Strengthen understanding of the business case for gender inclusion.

3.0 Deliverables

The key deliverables for each investee for the consultant will include:

3.1 Marketing, Sales & Customer Strategy (4 companies)

• Marketing and sales strategy documents.
• Customer engagement and market positioning plans, including recommendations on branding, customer retention, channels, and market penetration approaches.
• Practical sales and marketing tools, which may include sales plans, customer segmentation frameworks, outreach approaches, messaging guides, or promotional plans.

3.2 Governance & Leadership Development (7 companies)

• Governance and leadership improvement plans for relevant investees.
• Governance tools and templates, as applicable, including board charters, governance manuals, role definitions, meeting templates, decision-making frameworks, and reporting structures.
• Leadership and management coaching sessions for company founders, senior management, or boards, with session reports and agreed action points.

3.3 Business Model Viability & Resilience (2 companies)

• Business model assessment report highlighting key viability issues, risks, and growth constraints.
• Refined business strategy and business model framework for each investee.
• Business continuity and resilience plan covering key operational, market, supply chain, and financial risks.
• Practical implementation roadmap with priority actions, timelines, and key performance indicators.

3.4 Financial Management, Controls & Reporting Systems (7 companies)

• Financial management improvement plans for investees.
• Financial tools and systems tailored to company needs, including budgets, cashflow management tools, reporting templates, record-keeping tools, internal control tools, and management dashboards.
• Improved financial reporting formats and processes to support better decision-making, compliance, and investor readiness.
• Data management and business tracking tools were relevant, including templates or systems for capturing, storing, and using business data.

3.5 Workplace Organization, Process Efficiency, Quality Improvement & ESIA Compliance Support

• Workplace and process assessment report identifying layout gaps, bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and quality issues.
• Workplace improvement plan covering layout, workflow, storage, organization, and safety improvements.
• Process-efficiency and quality-improvement tools, including basic 5S, visual controls, SOPs, and quality checks.
• Staff training and implementation support report on the adoption of improved workplace and process practices.

4.0 Duration of the assignment

The assignment will be conducted over three (3) months in Tanzania and is expected to commence in April 2026.

5.0 Reporting

The consultant will report to the Senior Advisory Specialist at the AECF.

6.0 Consultant qualifications and experience

The assignment requires a consultant or consulting firm with strong experience in enterprise development, SME advisory, and market-based energy or clean cooking sectors in emerging markets, with experience supporting SMEs operating in Tanzania.

Successful consultant(s) should have;

• The proposed team members should have an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Energy, Development Studies, or a related field. Additional qualifications or certifications in business strategy, operations management, financial management, or enterprise development are an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering practical technical assistance in enterprise efficiency improvement, process optimization, workplace organization, quality enhancement, and broader business advisory support, preferably in Tanzania.
• At least 5 years’ demonstrated experience in business development support, Technical Assistance delivery, and strategy development for companies in the renewable energy and clean cooking sectors.
• Strong understanding of SME financial management systems, internal controls, and reporting practices.
• Experience supporting companies on organizational development, governance strengthening, and leadership capacity building. Demonstrated experience in environmental and social risk management, ESIA screening, or ESG compliance for SMEs is an advantage.
• Previous experience in similar assignments with renewable energy companies. Engagements with clean cooking companies are an added advantage.
• Good understanding of the Clean Cooking Landscape in Tanzania

7.0 Proposal Submission

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

1. The methodology and approach for executing the assignment.
2. A capacity statement outlining the organization’s resources to successfully complete the assignment within the proposed 3-month period. This should include a brief profile of the personnel to be engaged, the organization’s presence and mobility within the project implementation country, and its financial position, particularly given that the engagement will be on a performance-based reimbursement basis.
3. A detailed work plan.
4. Cost breakdown, including fees, expenses, and any other relevant costs (in USD).

N/B: Technical and Financial proposals should be submitted separately. Combining the financial and technical documents into one document will automatically disqualify the applicant.

8.0 Evaluation criteria

MANDATORY EVALUATION CRITERIA.

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 or its equivalent.
4. Audited financial statements for the last three years.

N/B: FAILURE TO ATTACH AND ADHERE TO THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION. THE PROPOSAL SHOULD BE IN PDF FORMAT, NO LINKS

An evaluation committee will be formed by the AECF. All members will be bound by the same standards of confidentiality. The consultant should ensure that they fully address all criteria for comprehensive evaluation.

The AECF may request and receive clarification from any consultant when evaluating 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 the proposals.

In making the final selection of a qualified bidder, the technical proposal will be weighted 70% in the evaluation. Only the financial proposal of those bidders who qualify technically will be opened. The financial proposal will be assigned a weight of 30%, and the proposals will be ranked by total points.

The mandatory and desirable criteria against which proposals will be evaluated are identified in the table below.

9.0 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, age, marital status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

5. Interested organizations are requested to submit their proposal to: aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org by 2^nd APRIL 2026, 5.00 pm (EAT).
6. Please send your questions to the aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org e-mail by 26th March 2026,00 pm (EAT)
7. The Subject of the email should read “RFP FOR CONSULTANCY FOR PROVISION OF BUSINESS ADVISORY AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES FOR SELECT AECF INVESTEES IN THE TANZANIA CLEAN COOKING PROGRAMME”. The AECF shall not be liable for failing to open proposals submitted on a different subject.

10.0 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.