Cultivating New Frontiers In Agriculture (CNFA)- Request For Proposal For Support To Benue State Ministry Of Finance, Budget And Planning For A Digital Platform Development.

DEADLINE: 21ST JUNE, 2021
CULTIVATING NEW FRONTIERS IN AGRICULTURE (CNFA)
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR SUPPORT TO BENUE STATE MINISTRY OF FINANCE, BUDGET AND PLANNING FOR A DIGITAL PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT.

Section 1: Introduction, Technical Background and Scope of Work

(1.1) Introduction:
The Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Activity is a USAID program implemented by CNFA in Nigeria. The goal of the Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Activity project is to strengthen the enabling environment for agribusiness finance and investment. To achieve this goal, the activity focuses on four interrelated components: 1) improving the agribusiness enabling environment; 2) broadening access to finance by mitigating the credit risks of agribusinesses; 3) facilitating investment opportunities for agribusinesses to expand and scale up operations; and 4) enhancing the performance of agribusiness Medium Small and Micro-Enterprise (MSMEs). In line with the U.S. and Nigerian Government’s commitment to growing the non-oil-based economy, these efforts will increase the quality, quantity, market access, and diversification of Nigeria’s economy.

The Activity, aims to viably and sustainably link thousands of MSMEs and producer organizations with high -performing commercial actors in the rice, maize, soybean, aquaculture, and cowpea value chains. Working through lead agribusinesses and employing a value chain development approach, the Activity aims to facilitate $200 million in new lending and $100 million in new investment across the selected 5 targeted commodity value chains in Kaduna, Niger, Kebbi, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi, and Cross River States. As a result of streamlined regulations, more effective policies, improved production and processing practices, and significantly increased finance and investment flows, the Activity will increase the competitiveness and returns of large, medium, small, and micro-scale agricultural enterprises.

Benue State Government (BNSG) has resolved to grow the State’s economy, stimulate economic growth and business activities in the State for job creation and prepare the State on the path of global economic vibrancy. The State had approved the disbursement of a N2bn MSME loans to assist intending entrepreneurs establish new businesses and existing businesses to expand. The MSME fund to be disbursed by Bank Of Industry will target Agro Processing Businesses, Livestock Businesses, Retail and Services, production and manufacturing-based businesses, among others.

The Benue State Government is looking to expand on its drive to further support the growth and development of businesses in the State and intends to make commercially viable financial injections in form of loans to MSME’s in targeted sectors of its economy, prioritizing agribusiness amongst others. The State intends to undertake this plan using the World Bank supported the COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (CARES) program, partnership with the Bankers Committee in Makurdi and other MSME Development Financial Institutions to pilot low interest loans to deserving beneficiaries. This fund is also designed to serve as an economic recovery tool for Benue State, in view of the economic impact of the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

CNFA’s support to Benue State aligns with the Activity’s goals to facilitate new lending, and increase finance and investment flows to agricultural enterprises. As part of project activities, CNFA requires the services of an independent consultant or firm, to develop an online portal with an e-wallet component for loan applications. The successful offeror will be managed by CNFA, and will also actively engage with Benue State Government representatives…CNFA will consider proposals in response to this RFP from Digital Loan Portal Development Consultant role from Nigerians and Nigerian based firms.

Offerors are responsible for ensuring that their offers are received by CNFA in accordance with the instructions, terms, and conditions described in this RFP. Failure to adhere with instructions described in this RFP may lead to disqualification of an offer from consideration.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Offer Deadline and Protocol: Offers must be received no later than 5:00PM, WAT on Jun 21, 2021. Offers must be submitted by email to operations@ag-invest.org.

Please reference the RFP number in any response to this RFP. Offers received after the specified time and date will be considered late and will be considered only at the discretion of CNFA. The cover page of this solicitation summarizes the important dates of the solicitation process. Offerors must strictly follow the provided deadlines to be considered for award.

 RFP_2021_06.002 Digital Loan Portal Benue