Expression of Interest (EOI)
Assessment of AfCFTA National awareness 2022/23 outcome.
Reference Number: 7000017354
Publication date: 13.07.2026
Introduction
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federally owned international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations. The GIZ Office in Kigali covers GIZ’s portfolio in Rwanda and Burundi. GIZ Rwanda/Burundi implements projects on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Union and other commissioning authorities in the following priority areas: Sustainable Economic Development; Good Governance; Climate, Energy and Sustainable Urban Development; Digitalization and Digital Economy; and regional projects in the Great Lakes Region.
Contents
1. Context3
2. Tasks to be performed by the contractor4
3. Concept6
Technical-methodological concept6
Project management of the contractor (1.6)6
Assignment of personnel and travel expenses9
Sustainability aspects for travel9
6. Inputs of GIZ or other actors10
7. Requirements on the format of the tender11
0. List of abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Full Meaning |
|---|---|
| AfCFTA | African Continental Free Trade Area |
| AUC | African Union Commission |
| COMESA | Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa |
| CV | Curriculum Vitae |
| DC | Development Cooperation |
| EAC | East African Community |
| ETTIM | Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals |
| EUR | Euro |
| FGD | Focus Group Discussion |
| GIZ | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH |
| ICT | Information and Communications Technology |
| KII | Key Informant Interview |
| M&E | Monitoring and Evaluation |
| MINICOM | Ministry of Trade and Industry |
| MSMEs | Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises |
| REC | Regional Economic Community |
| RDB | Rwanda Development Board |
| ToR | Terms of Reference |
| TL | Team Leader |
1. Context
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federally owned international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations. GIZ has worked in Rwanda for over 30 years. The primary objectives between the Government of Rwanda and the Federal Republic of Germany are poverty reduction and the promotion of sustainable development. To achieve these objectives, GIZ Rwanda is active in the sectors of Decentralization and Good Governance, Economic Development and Employment Promotion, Energy, and ICT (Information and Communications Technology).
Through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Germany currently provides technical support to the African Union Commission (AUC), specifically to the Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM) and the AfCFTA Secretariat, with its project “African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)”. The project’s main objective is to strengthen the framework conditions for intra-African trade. Besides the outstanding topics of AfCFTA Phase I on Trade in Goods and Trade in Services, phase II and III issues, such as Investment, competition policy, Intellectual Property Rights, and digital trade are supported. Furthermore, the involvement of the private sector and civil society is supported.
To this end, the project pursues a multi-level approach on the continental level working with the AUC DTI and AfCFTA Secretariat, at the regional level supporting Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and the national level, specifically in the project focus countries, like Rwanda.
Rationale
Since the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Rwanda has undertaken several awareness-raising and capacity-building initiatives aimed at increasing understanding and utilization of AfCFTA opportunities among public institutions, private sector actors, academic institutions, manufacturers, producers, and business associations.
Between 2022 and the end of 2023, nationwide AfCFTA awareness and training interventions were implemented across all provinces of Rwanda, reaching approximately 5,600 participants. These interventions sought to increase awareness of the AfCFTA Agreement, its benefits, trading opportunities, implementation instruments, and implications for businesses and institutions.
As Rwanda advances the implementation of the AfCFTA, there is a need to assess the effectiveness, outcomes, and impact of these awareness and capacity-building interventions. The assessment will evaluate the extent to which beneficiaries have improved their understanding of AfCFTA provisions, applied acquired knowledge in their professional activities, and utilized opportunities arising from the Agreement.
The findings will generate evidence on the effectiveness of previous interventions and provide recommendations to inform future awareness campaigns, targeted capacity-building initiatives, and broader AfCFTA implementation efforts in Rwanda.
Geographical Coverage and Target Groups
The AfCFTA awareness and capacity-building interventions implemented between 2022 and 2023 were conducted nationwide, covering all provinces of Rwanda, namely the City of Kigali, Eastern Province, Western Province, Northern Province, and Southern Province.
The impact assessment shall therefore adopt a nationally representative approach that adequately reflects the geographical scope of the original interventions. The contractor shall develop a sampling framework that captures beneficiaries from the different provinces and districts where awareness activities were conducted.
- The assessment shall target, among others:
- Public sector institutions involved in trade, investment, industrial development, and economic planning;
- Private sector actors, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs);
- Manufacturers and producers across priority sectors;
- Business associations and chambers of commerce;
- Women-led and youth-led enterprises;
- Academic and research institutions;
- Other beneficiaries who participated in AfCFTA awareness and capacity-building activities implemented between 2022 and 2023.
The contractor shall ensure that the assessment captures regional variations in awareness, understanding, utilization of AfCFTA opportunities, and institutional preparedness, thereby providing a comprehensive picture of the outcomes and impact of the interventions across Rwanda.
Objectives of the Assignment
Overall Objective: To assess the outcomes and impact of AfCFTA awareness and capacity-building interventions implemented in Rwanda between 2022 and 2023 and generate evidence-based recommendations to strengthen future AfCFTA implementation efforts.
Specific Objectives
- Assess changes in knowledge, awareness, and understanding of AfCFTA provisions among beneficiaries of previous interventions.
- Evaluate the extent to which participants have applied AfCFTA-related knowledge and opportunities in business operations, trade activities, policymaking, and institutional decision-making.
- Identify gaps in awareness, institutional preparedness, and access to AfCFTA implementation tools and instruments.
- Assess sector-specific outcomes among public institutions, private sector actors, manufacturers, producers, and academic institutions.
- Determine factors that have facilitated or constrained the uptake and utilization of AfCFTA opportunities.
- Generate evidence-based recommendations to inform future AfCFTA awareness and capacity-building initiatives.
2. Tasks to be performed by the contractor
The contractor is responsible for providing the following services:
- Develop an inception report outlining the assessment methodology, work plan, sampling strategy, and data collection approach.
- Develop a nationally representative sampling framework covering beneficiaries from all provinces and selected districts where AfCFTA awareness and capacity-building interventions were implemented.
- Design quantitative and qualitative data collection tools.
- Conduct surveys, key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and institutional assessments.
- Undertake field data collection among beneficiaries of AfCFTA awareness interventions conducted between 2022 and 2023.
- Conduct sector-specific analysis across public institutions, private sector organizations, manufacturers, producers, and academic institutions.
- Assess the effectiveness, relevance, efficiency, and sustainability of the awareness interventions.
- Identify success stories, lessons learned, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
- Analyse findings and prepare evidence-based recommendations.
- Facilitate a validation workshop with key stakeholders.
- Produce a comprehensive final assessment report.
There is a need to assess the outcomes of previous awareness and capacity-building interventions related to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Between 2022 and end of 2023, Rwanda implemented nationwide AfCFTA awareness and training initiatives targeting public institutions, private sector actors, academic communities, manufacturers, and producers, reaching approximately 5,600 participants. Assessing the effectiveness of these interventions is important for informing future awareness strategies, targeted capacity-building approaches, and evidence-based AfCFTA implementation. The consultancy will therefore combine technical training on Trade in Services statistics with an impact assessment of AfCFTA awareness interventions implemented from 2022–2023
Certain milestones, as laid out in the table below, are to be achieved during the contract term:
| Milestones/process steps/partial services | Deadline/place/person responsible | |
|
|
15th August /Kigali/ Senior Expert 1 and Expert 2 | |
| Kick-off Meeting and presentation of inception findings 1 | 16th August /Kigali/Senior Expert 1 and Expert 2 | |
| Development and approval of data collection tools 5 | 5th September 2026/Kigali/Senior Expert 1 and expert 2 | |
| Field Data Collection 20 | 5th October 2026/ Identified Geographical Coverage and Target Groups/ Senior Expert 1 and Expert 2 | |
| Draft Assessment Report and Findings 5 | 15th October 2026/Senior Expert 1 and Expert 2 | |
| Validation Workshop 1 | 20th October 2025 /Senior Expert 1 and expert 2 | |
| Final Assessment Report1 | 30th October 2026/Senior Expert 1 and expert 2 |
Period of assignment: from 15th August 2026 until 30th October 2026.
3. Concept
In the tender, the tenderer is required to show how the objectives defined in Chapter 2 (Tasks to be performed) are to be achieved, if applicable under consideration of further method-related requirements (technical-methodological concept). In addition, the tenderer must describe the project management system for service provision.
Note: The numbers in parentheses correspond to the lines of the technical assessment grid.
Technical-methodological concept
Strategy (1.1): The tenderer is required to consider the tasks to be performed with reference to the objectives of the services put out to tender (see Chapter 1 Context) (1.1.1). Following this, the tenderer presents and justifies the explicit strategy with which it intends to provide the services for which it is responsible (see Chapter 2 Tasks to be performed) (1.1.2).
The tenderer is required to present the actors relevant for the services for which it is responsible and describe the cooperation (1.2) with them.
The tenderer is required to present and explain its approach to steering the measures with the project partners (1.3.1) and its contribution to the results-based monitoring system (1.3.2).
The tenderer is required to describe the key processes for the services for which it is responsible and create an operational plan or schedule (1.4.1) that describes how the services according to Chapter 2 (Tasks to be performed by the contractor) are to be provided. In particular, the tenderer is required to describe the necessary work steps and, if applicable, take account of the milestones and contributions of other actors (partner contributions) in accordance with Chapter 2 (Tasks to be performed) (1.4.2).
The tenderer is required to describe its contribution to knowledge management for the partner (1.5.1) and GIZ and to promote scaling-up effects (1.5.2) under learning and innovation.
Project management of the contractor (1.6)
The tenderer is required to explain its approach for coordination with the GIZ project(1.6.1). In particular, the project management requirements specified in Chapter 2 (Tasks to be performed by the contractor) must be explained in detail.
The tenderer is required to draw up a personnel assignment plan(1.6.2) with explanatory notes that lists all the experts proposed in the tender; the plan includes information on assignment dates (duration and expert days) and locations of the individual members of the team complete with the allocation of work steps as set out in the schedule.
Further requirements (1.7)
4. Personnel concept
The tenderer is required to provide personnel who are suited to filling the positions described, on the basis of their CVs (see Chapter 7), the range of tasks involved and the required qualifications.
The below specified qualifications represent the requirements to reach the maximum number of points in the technical assessment.
Senior Expert 1
Tasks of the Senior Expert 1
- Overall responsibility for the implementation of the assignment, including quality assurance and timely delivery of all outputs.
- Lead the design of the assessment methodology, sampling framework, and data collection approach.
- Coordinate and ensure effective communication with GIZ, MINICOM, and other relevant stakeholders involved in the assignment.
- Supervise and guide the assessment team, including planning and monitoring field activities.
- Oversee the development of data collection tools and analytical frameworks.
- Lead stakeholder consultations, key informant interviews, validation workshops, and dissemination activities.
- Ensure quality control of data collection, analysis, and reporting processes.
- Lead the preparation and submission of the inception report, draft assessment report, and final assessment report.
- Provide strategic recommendations for future AfCFTA awareness and capacity-building interventions.
- Ensure regular reporting to GIZ in accordance with agreed timelines.
Qualifications of the Senior expert 1
- Education/Training (2.2.1): Master's degree (or equivalent) in Economics, International Trade, International Taxation, Development Studies, Public Policy, Business Administration, Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation, or a related field.
- Language (2.2.2): English language proficiency at C1 level or higher. Knowledge of Kinyarwanda is an asset.
- General Professional Experience (2.2.3): 10 years of professional experience in trade, customs operations, regional integration, economic development, private sector development, policy analysis, research, monitoring and evaluation, or related fields.
- Specific Professional Experience (2.2.4): 7 years of demonstrated experience conducting impact assessments, evaluations, surveys, or research assignments related to trade, economic development, entrepreneurship, or private sector development.
- Leadership/Management Experience (2.2.5): 5 years of experience leading multidisciplinary teams, evaluation assignments, research studies, or development projects.
- Regional Experience (2.2.6): 5 years of experience working in East Africa, including at least 3 years of experience in Rwanda.
- Development Cooperation (DC) Experience (2.2.7): 5 years of experience implementing assignments funded by development partners, international organizations, or donor agencies.
- Other (2.2.8):
- Demonstrated knowledge of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and regional trade integration frameworks.
- Proven experience designing mixed-methods research methodologies and nationally representative surveys.
- Strong analytical, report-writing, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Experience facilitating high-level consultations and validation workshops.
Key Expert 2 – Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Specialist
Tasks of Key Expert 2
- Support the design of the assessment methodology, sampling framework, and data collection tools.
- Lead quantitative and qualitative data collection activities.
- Coordinate fieldwork activities and supervise enumerators where applicable.
- Conduct data cleaning, validation, and quality assurance.
- Perform statistical and qualitative analysis of assessment findings.
- Support the preparation of the inception report, draft report, and final report.
- Contribute to stakeholder consultations and validation workshops.
- Support the documentation of lessons learned, success stories, and recommendations.
Qualifications of Key Expert 2
- Education/Training (2.3.1): Master's degree in Statistics, Economics, Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Policy, Management Studies or a related field.
- Language (2.3.2): English language proficiency at C1 level or higher; fluency in Kinyarwanda required.
- General Professional Experience (2.3.3): 7 years of professional experience in research, monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, surveys, or impact assessments.
- Specific Professional Experience (2.3.4): 5 years of experience conducting quantitative and qualitative assessments, evaluations, baseline studies, impact assessments, or socio-economic research assignments.
- Regional Experience (2.3.6): 5 years of experience working in Rwanda and/or East Africa.
- Development Cooperation (DC) Experience (2.3.7):3 years of experience supporting donor-funded projects, evaluations, or development programmes.
Knowledge of Regional Economic Integration ie EAC, COMESA and the AfCFTA Agreement is an additional value
- Other (2.3.8):
- Strong knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
- Experience using statistical software and data analysis tools.
- Demonstrated experience conducting nationwide surveys and stakeholder consultations.
- Excellent analytical and report-writing skills.
Soft Skills of Team Members
In addition to their specialist qualifications, the following qualifications are required of all team members:
- Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
- Initiative and ability to work independently.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Strong socio-cultural and interpersonal skills.
- Efficient, partner-oriented, and client-focused working methods.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Interdisciplinary thinking and adaptability.
- Ability to work effectively in multicultural environments.Strong organizational and time-management skills.
5. Costing requirements
Assignment of personnel and travel expenses
Per diem allowances are reimbursed as a lump sum up to the maximum amounts permissible under tax law for each country as set out in the country table in the circular from the German Federal Ministry of Finance on travel expense remuneration (downloadable from the German Federal Ministry of Finance – tax treatment of travel expenses and allowances for international business travel as of 1 January 2026 (GERMAN ONLY)).
Accommodation allowances are reimbursed as detailed in the specification of inputs below.
With special justification, additional Accommodation costs up to a reasonable amount can be reimbursed against evidence.
All business travel must be agreed in advance by the officer responsible for the project
Specification of inputs
| Fee days | Number of experts | Number of days per expert | Total | Comments |
| Designation of TL/key expert | 1 | 45 | ||
| Designation of key expert 2 | 1 | 40 | ||
| Fixed travel budget | 2 | 2 | A budget is earmarked for travel to the following countries: Around Rwanda (all provinces of Rwanda) A fixed budget of RWF 8,507,625 is earmarked for settling travel expenses against evidence.You can find further information on the travel expense budget in the ‘Price schedule’ document. Please use the ‘Explanations’ column in the price schedule to break down the individual items. Settlement is possible only until the budget is depleted. |
6. Inputs of GIZ and Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM)
Inputs from GIZ
GIZ will provide the following inputs to support the implementation of the assignment:
- Overall contractual and technical oversight of the assignment, including review and approval of key deliverables.
- Provision of relevant background documents, reports, and reference materials related to AfCFTA awareness and capacity-building interventions implemented between 2022 and 2023.
- Technical guidance and feedback on the inception report, data collection tools, draft findings, and final report.
- Facilitation of coordination with relevant development partners and stakeholders where necessary.
- Support in the organization of key meetings, including the kick-off meeting and validation workshop (e.g., invitations, agenda coordination, and stakeholder engagement).
- Access to GIZ premises in Kigali for meetings and consultations, where required and subject to availability.
Inputs from the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM)
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) will provide the following inputs:
- Strategic guidance and policy direction related to AfCFTA implementation in Rwanda.
- Facilitation of access to relevant public institutions, agencies, and stakeholders involved in AfCFTA awareness and implementation activities.
- Support in mobilizing key stakeholders for participation in interviews, surveys, and validation workshops.
- Provision of available data, lists of beneficiaries, and documentation related to AfCFTA awareness and capacity-building interventions, in compliance with applicable data protection requirements.
- Participation in key validation processes, including review of draft findings and validation of final results.
- Support in ensuring alignment of the assessment findings with national trade policy priorities and AfCFTA implementation strategies.
7.Requirements on the format of the tender
The structure of the tender must correspond to the structure of the ToR. In particular, the detailed structure of the concept (Chapter 3) should be organised in accordance with the positively weighted criteria in the assessment grid (not with zero). The tender must be legible (font size 11 or larger) and clearly formulated. It must be drawn up in English.
The complete tender must not exceed 10 pages (excluding CVs). If one of the maximum page lengths is exceeded, the content appearing after the cut-off point will not be included in the assessment. External content (e.g. links to websites) will also not be considered.’
The CVs of the personnel proposed in accordance with Chapter 4 of the ToRs must be submitted using the format specified in the terms and conditions for application. The CVs shall not exceed 4 pages each. They must clearly show the position and job the proposed person held in the reference project and for how long. The CVs can also be submitted in English.
Please calculate your financial tender based exactly on the parameters specified in Chapter 5 Quantitative requirements. The contractor is not contractually entitled to use up the days, trips, workshops or budgets in full. The number of days, trips and workshops and the budgets will be contractually agreed as maximum limits. The specifications for pricing are defined in the price schedule.
Submission of offer: The Expression of Interest should contain the following:
Technical Proposal:
- A cover letter expressing your interest in this assignment
- Technical Proposal (attached template for technical proposal MUST be used)
- Up to date CVs of proposed experts
- Completed Self declaration of eligibility
Financial Proposal: Financial offer indicates the all-inclusive total contract price, supported by a breakdown of all costs as described in the specification of inputs.
Your EoI has to be submitted in 2 separated emails to RW_Quotation@giz.de until 19/07/2026
1.The technical offer has to be submitted in PDF format and as attachment to the email with the subject: Technical offer 7000017354
2.The financial offer has to be submitted in PDF format andthe price must be in Rwandan Francs and VAT excluded (if applicable) and as attachment to the email with the subject: Financial offer 7000017354
If the emails exceed the default email size of 30MB, offers can be exceptionally submitted through https://filetransfer.giz.de/
Offers submitted through any other sharing platform, as google documents or similar will not be considered.
Offers submitted in hard copy will not be considered.
GIZ reserves all rights.
Annex:
- Technical Proposal template
- Technical assessment grid
- Self-declaration of eligibility