Global Alliance For Improved Nutrition (GAIN)- Request For Proposals For Assessing Affordability Of Formulated Complementary Foods In Four West African Countries

DEADLINE: 25TH JULY, 2025
GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR IMPROVED NUTRITION (GAIN)
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR  ASSESSING AFFORDABILITY OF FORMULATED COMPLEMENTARY FOODS IN FOUR WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES

ABOUT GAIN
The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with both governments and businesses, we aim to transform food systems so that they deliver more nutritious food for all people.

At GAIN, we believe that everyone in the world should have access to nutritious and safe food. We work to understand and deliver specific solutions to the daily challenge of food insecurity faced by poor people. By understanding that there is no “one-size-fits-all” model, we develop alliances and build tailored programmes, using a variety of flexible models and approaches.

We build alliances between governments, local and global businesses, and civil society to deliver sustainable improvements at scale. We are part of a global network of partners working together to create sustainable solutions to malnutrition. Through alliances, we provide technical, financial and policy support to key participants in the food system. We use specific learning, evidence of impact, and results of projects and programmes to shape and influence the actions of others.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, GAIN has representative offices in The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In addition, we have country offices in Bangladesh, Benin, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Programmes and projects are carried out in a variety of other countries, particularly in Africa and Asia.

BACKGROUND
Nourishing Food Pathways is an ambitious programme that seeks to accelerate progress towards The Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG2) by supporting inclusive and coherent food systems transformation in ten countries. As part of this programme, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is collaborating with the International Trade Centre (ITC) to strengthen infant food value chains in west Africa.

Complementary (infant) foods1 have been recognized as a key value chain with high potential across the African region. Growing demand for these products presents significant investment opportunities. The continent is rich in diverse, nutritious ingredients—such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, and pulses—that are commonly used in the production of complementary foods. Strengthening this value chain offers mutual benefits for investors, producers, and consumers. It can foster local sourcing, reduce reliance on imports, and create inclusive opportunities, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Africa.

The Made by Africa report identified sector specific challenges that curtail the growth and expansion of the complementary foods value chain. These include trade barriers within the region, limited capacities and infrastructure, and limited access to finance. The report also provides recommendations to unlock bottlenecks and promote the development of the value chain some which include development of national and regional strategies, harmonization of standards and recognition of conformity assessment certifications and investments along the value chain.

In 2024, a West Africa regional dialogue on improving access to locally produced nutritious and safe complementary foods in low- and middle-income countries was held in Dakar, Senegal with the aim to prioritize actions and investment opportunities. The meeting convened over 100 stakeholders from the sector from 16 African countries. Participants echoed the challenges and recommendations outlined in the Made by Africa report and emphasized the importance of building a resilient ecosystem through a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach. Five core recommendations emerged from the dialogue (1) Strengthen knowledge and innovation in complementary foods, (2) Strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks (3)

Mobilize financial and infrastructure resources for sustainable growth (4) Build capacity of local producers (5) Create demand and expand markets.

In response to the recommendations detailed in the Made by Africa and workshop reports, GAIN aims to contribute to the evidence base on the affordability of formulated complementary foods (FCF).

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP) and will be the administrative lead organisation for this RFP.

SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES
GAIN is seeking the services of a service provider to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the affordability of formulated complementary foods in Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo focusing on specific categories: Fortified Blended Flours (FBF), and yoghurt.

This study will examine: (i) the affordability of FBF and yoghurt as part of a healthy diet across different income segments and geographic context, and (ii) the potential market size for these infant food categories in each target county; and (iii) the price sensitivity and accessibility thresholds needed to expand market reach to low-income consumers.

In addition, we would aim to assess the potential affordability and market size of lipid-based products to complement children’s diets, especially Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) and High Energy Biscuits (HEB).

The insights gained from this study will serve two main purposes: 1) To support local small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in developing informed business models through a better understanding of their target consumers; and 2) to support advocacy efforts aimed at encouraging public and private investment in the development of these value chains, as well as informing interventions in the institutional market.

DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE
The service shall be performed between 11 August 2025 and 28 November 2025.

SUBMISSION
An electronic copy containing the documents preferably in MS Word along with all the required information including the fee proposal should reach GAIN at skatua@gainhealth.org. Please use headline ‘Proposal – infant foods affordability.’

DEADLINE
Completed proposals should be submitted to GAIN before 11.59 pm Central European Time on 25 July 2025.

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