PROCUREMENT REFERENCE NUMBER: AFR/RFP-BDSPS-SUPPORT/AUGUST/2025.
BACKGROUND:
1. About Access to Finance Rwanda
Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) is a Rwandan not for profit Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), established in 2010 to promote financial inclusion and financial sector development in Rwanda. AFR is currently funded by Sweden, the Mastercard Foundation, Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) and Co-develop.
AFR supports the removal of systemic barriers that hinder access and usage of financial services by low-income people, particularly the rural poor, women, youth, smallholder farmers, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). AFR is a gender-intentional organization and mainstreams gender equality across all its programs. It is guided by the Market System Development (MSD) approach recognizing that efforts to increase financial inclusion and financial sector development must be market-led, profitable, and sustainable.
AFR is part of the broader Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) network in Africa that seeks to create a transformative impact on ending poverty by supporting efforts to improve financial inclusion and financial sector development. This is done by helping policymakers, regulators, financial service providers, and markets drive more inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Over the last 15 years, AFR has rolled out many programs and implemented projects and interventions that contributed to the inclusion of many Rwandans in the financial ecosystem (96% financial inclusion from 48% in 2008) as highlighted by the Rwanda 2024 Finscope survey report.
2. Background for the assignment
Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR)Â is dedicated to enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Rwanda, with a particular focus on rural micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
One of the key challenges hindering MSME growth in Rwanda is limited access to appropriate and tailored Business Development Services (BDS) that can effectively respond to their specific and evolving needs. This challenge is echoed in the Entrepreneurship Development Policy (EDP), where Pillar 2 focuses on establishing an active and efficient Business Support system as a cornerstone for entrepreneurship growth. Addressing this gap is critical to building a strong ecosystem of BDS Provision capable of enabling MSMEs to grow and create work opportunities including for the youth.
The landscape of BDS Provision in Rwanda is varied, encompassing consultancies, technical service providers, and emerging digital platforms, however, despite this diversity, significant challenges remain. These include a heavy reliance on donor funding to support MSMEs, limited self-sustainable businesses, and a lack of quality assurance mechanisms. Various assessments of the current BDS landscape revealed that most BDSPs are concentrated in Kigali. The few that operate in rural areas are generally small and struggle with significant capacity challenges, which limits their effectiveness in serving local MSMEs.
To address these issues, as part of its Terimbere MSME Facility, AFR seeks to engage a consultancy firm to evaluate the institutional needs and capacity gaps of at least 5 BDSPs located in rural and peri-urban Rwanda and of micro (one-to-two-person business) or small (up to 5 employees) business nature. The consultancy firm will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive assessment of the BDSPs and proposing a capacity building strategy/framework and related tools, as well as implementing a customized capacity building plan tailored to the specific needs of each BDSP.
This procurement will result in a framework agreement to be awarded to up to two (2) most responsive firms.
Interested bidders must confirm their intention to submit a bid by Friday August 15, 2025, at 17h00 HRS CAT
Any requests for clarifications to the RFP may be submitted by Thursday August 21, 2025, 17h00 HRS CAT.
Bidders should submit their proposals no later than Friday August 29, 2025, 17:00 HRS CAT
Responding bidders are advised that this solicitation does not in any way obligate AFR to make a contract award or compensate the responding firms for any costs associated with the preparation and submission of their proposals. Additionally, AFR may award a contract without conducting negotiations; all proposals should be submitted initially using your most favorable terms. AFR reserves the right to award any resultant contract to other than the offeror submitting the lowest price proposal based on technical excellence, schedule superiority or client request.
All communications regarding this RFP should be addressed via email: procurement02@afr.rw
Below is the summary planned procurement schedule:
| Activity | Date |
| Date of issue of RFP | Friday August 8, 2025 |
| Confirmation of interest | Friday August 15, 2025, at 17h00 HRS CAT |
| Request for clarifications | Thursday, August 21, 2025, 17h00 HRS CAT. |
| Proposal closing date for submission of proposals | Friday August 29, 2025, 17:00 HRS CAT |
Note: This procurement is open to locally registered firms. However, collaboration or joint ventures with foreign firms to enhance technical capabilities are permitted.
Cordially,
Jean Bosco Iyacu
Chief Executive Officer
