Expression of Interest (EOI)

Diagnostic Study of Rwanda’s Business Services sector regulation in light of AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Service to enhance market competition.

Reference Number: 83486278

Publication date: 03.04.2025

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. General Information. 1
2. Tender requirements. 4

Qualifications of proposed staff

III.Quantitative requirements. 5

1. Conceptual 6
2. Requirements on the format of the tender 6

1. General Information

Brief information on the project

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.

The AfCFTA is the world’s largest free trade area bringing together the 55 countries of the African Union (AU) and eight (8) Regional Economic Communities (RECs). As part of its mandate, the AfCFTA is to eliminate trade barriers and boost intra-Africa trade and advance trade in value-added production across all service sectors of the African Economy. The AfCFTA will contribute to establishing regional value chains in Africa, enabling investment and job creation. The practical implementation of the AfCFTA has the potential to foster industrialization, job creation, and investment, thus enhancing the competitiveness of Africa in the medium to long term.

 Context

The service sector plays a crucial role in Rwanda’s economic development, contributing significantly to GDP, employment, and regional trade. With the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Trade in Services, Rwanda has a unique opportunity to integrate into a larger continental market, enhancing competitiveness and attracting investment. However, achieving these benefits requires a well-structured regulatory framework that aligns with AfCFTA provisions while fostering a competitive domestic market.

Therefore, a study is needed to assess Rwanda’s service sector specifically the business sector regulation in light of the AfCFTA Protocol, identifying strengths, gaps, and potential reforms needed to optimize market competition. It explores how Rwanda’s regulatory landscape influences market entry, service quality, and cross-border trade, highlighting the policy adjustments necessary to maximize AfCFTA-driven opportunities.

The analysis will provide insights into the extent to which Rwanda's regulations align with AfCFTA commitments, evaluating their impact on competition and market efficiency. Ultimately, the study seeks to offer recommendations for regulatory improvements that will enhance Rwanda’s positioning within the AfCFTA framework while ensuring a fair and competitive service sector.

Tasks to be performed by the contractor

The contractor will evaluate the regulatory and competitive frameworks that govern Rwanda’s service sector, with a focus on their alignment with the AfCFTA protocol on trade in service “Business Services” and the country’s national economic priorities. The key areas of focus will include:

1. Regulatory Landscape Assessment: A thorough evaluation of Rwanda's regulatory environment to identify sectors facing gaps that facilitate anti-competitive practices, as well as those experiencing overregulation, which hampers competition and innovation.
2. Analysis of AfCFTA’s Protocol on Trade in Services: An analysis of how Rwanda’s current policies align with the commitments outlined in the protocol.
3. Identification of Market Inefficiencies: A critical examination of market inefficiencies, including monopolistic behaviours, barriers to entry, and regulatory burdens that determine investment and hinder competitive dynamics.
4. Evaluation of Sustainability and Climate Change Policies: An assessment of existing sustainability and climate change policies to determine their effects on competition and growth within the service sector, while ensuring alignment with international best practices.
5. Assessment of Social Inclusion and Gender Mainstreaming: An investigation into whether Rwanda’s service sector policies effectively promote equitable access to opportunities for women and other marginalized groups in trade and business, and
6. Development of Targeted Policy Recommendations: The formulation of strategic policy recommendations aimed at establishing a balanced regulatory framework that encourages competition, attracts investment, and supports sustainable and inclusive development.

The contractor is responsible for providing the following services:

• Inception Report – This report will outline the study's methodology, work plan, and stakeholder engagement approach.
• Draft Report – A preliminary version that will deliver a thorough assessment of regulatory issues, competition challenges, and relevant policy considerations impacting Rwanda's service sector.
• Final Report – This comprehensive document will integrate all findings and analysis from the study, incorporating insights from both the inception and draft reports, while also presenting a cohesive overview of the recommendations.
• Policy Brief – A concise document (5 pages max) that articulates actionable recommendations for regulatory reforms and strategies aimed at strengthening competition, sustainability, and inclusivity within Rwanda’s service sector, included within the final report.

Certain milestones, as laid out in the table below, are to be achieved during the contract term:

Milestones/partial works	Date/location/Responsibility	Criteria for acceptance
Development Inception report	From June to 10th June 2025 /Kigali/ Senior Consultant 1&2	Draft inception report submitted
Kick-off meeting with stakeholders (MINICOM, RRA, RDB, PSF) and present inception report (including adjustment to the input from the meeting	20th June 2025 /Kigali/ Senior Consultant 1&2 and key stakeholders	Presentation of the inception report and submit the final inception report adjusted to the inputs from the kickoff meeting
Draft Report submission Draft Policy brief Submission	30th August 2025 Kigali/ Senior Consultant 1	Submit the training draft report and Policy brief to all relevant stakeholders, follow up to get feedback and revise the report.
Validation of the draft report and policy brief	15th Sept 2025 /Kigali/Senior Consultant 1&2	Present the draft report and Policy brief to all stakeholders Revise the draft report and Policy brief
Submit the Final report and Final Policy Brief	30th September 2025 /Kigali/ Senior Consultant 1&2	Submit the final report and policy brief to MINICOM and the relevant stakeholders.

Contract period

The contract period is 1st June to 30th December 2025. However, the assignment is expected to be implemented within 40 days period between 1st June 2025 and 30th September 2025. The assignment requires physical presence in Rwanda (Kigali) as the assignment implies interviews with all relevant stakeholders and onsite research. These milestones, as laid out in the table above, are to be achieved within the contract period.

Tender requirements

Qualifications of proposed staff

The tenderer is required to propose personnel for the positions specified here and described with respect to the areas of responsibility and qualifications on the basis of relevant CVs.

The below specified qualifications represent the requirements to reach the maximum number of points in the technical assessment.

Qualifications of Senior Consultant 1

• Education/Training: Master’s degree in economics, international trade, international business, trade law, competition policy, or any other related field.
• Language: Business fluency in English C1
• General Professional experience: 8 years of experience in international trade, trade facilitation, and competition policy.
• Specific Professional experience: 8 years of experience in economic analysis specific to trade in services, including assessing regulatory frameworks, competition policies, and trade agreements' impact on service sectors. This includes proven experience in evaluating trade-related policies, market competitiveness, and regulatory environments in African economies, conducting regulatory impact assessments, and developing policy recommendations to enhance market efficiency and competitiveness.
• Regional Experience: 7 years experience working in Africa’s regional trade landscape, with a strong understanding of Rwanda’s trade and investment environment. Familiarity with AfCFTA’s Protocol on Trade in Services and its implications for Rwanda’s service sector.
• Development Cooperation (DC) Experience: 4 years of experience working on development projects, preferably with international organizations, development agencies, or consulting firms. Understanding of development cooperation principles and practices, including results-based management and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications of Senior Consultant 2

• Education: Master’s degree in economics, international trade, international business, trade law, competition policy, or any other related field.
•  Language: Business fluency in English C1
• General Professional experience: 8 years of experience in the trade in services, including its concepts, principles, modes of supply, and trade policy related to services.
• Specific Professional Experience: 8 years of experience in assessing market inefficiencies, competition dynamics, and investment barriers in the service sector, strong expertise in social inclusion, gender mainstreaming, and sustainability policies in trade and business environments, and experience in analysing regulatory burdens, monopolistic behaviours, and barriers to entry in service markets.
• Regional Experience: 7 years of experience in the regional trade landscape in Africa, with expertise in Rwanda’s service sector regulations and its alignment with AfCFTA and other regional frameworks.
• Development Cooperation (DC) Experience: 5 years of experience working on development projects, preferably with international organizations, development agencies, or consulting firms. Understanding of development cooperation principles and practices, including results-based management and stakeholder engagement.

Quantitative requirements

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 (German only).

Overnight accommodation allowances are reimbursed as set out in the specification of inputs below.

Reasonable accommodation costs above the specified amounts can also be reimbursed against evidence where specifically justified.

All travel activities must be agreed in advance with the staff member responsible for the project.

Sustainability aspects for travel

GIZ is required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂ emissions) caused by travel. When preparing your tender, please incorporate options for reducing emissions, such as selecting the lowest emission booking class (economy) and using means of transport, airlines and flight routes with a higher CO₂ efficiency. For short distances, travel by train (second class) or e-mobility should be the preferred option.

CO₂ emissions caused by air travel must be offset. GIZ specifies a budget for this, through which the carbon offsets are settled against evidence.

The market for carbon credits is made up of a large number of providers, each with different claims as to their climate impact. The Development and Climate Alliance has published a list of standards. GIZ recommends using the standards specified there.

Fee days	Number of experts (Senior Consultant)	Number of days per expert (senior consultant)	Comments
Designation of Senior Consultant one (1)	1	25
Designation of Senior consultant two (2)	1	15
Total expert days	2	40

Calculate your financial bid exactly in line with the quantitative requirements of the specification of inputs above.

            GIZ Input.

GIZ will directly convert the costs of logistics for Focused group discussions or validation workshops if held physically. This includes only the hotel conference packages.

1. Conceptual

The tender should indicate how the services outlined in the Tasks section are to be provided. Reference should be made to the following criteria:

Strategy (1.1): The contractor is required to consider the tasks to be performed with reference to the objectives of the services. Following this, the contractor presents and justifies the explicit strategy with which it intends to provide the services for which it is responsible (Tasks to be performed).

The contractor is required to present the actors relevant for the services for which it is responsible and describe the cooperation (1.2) with them.

The tender 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 contractor 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 (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) (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 to coordination with the GIZ project.

1. Requirements on the format of the tender
2. The structure of the tender must correspond to the structure of the ToR. In particular, the detailed structure of the concept (IV)should be organized 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 (language).

The complete tender must not exceed 4 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 II 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 (language).

Please calculate your financial tender based exactly on the parameters specified in Chapter, Quantitative requirements.

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)
• Company registration certificate (RDB)
• VAT-Registration Certificate
• Latest tax clearance certificate
• Up to date CVs of proposed experts 
• 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 20/04/2025

1.The technical offer has to be submitted in PDF format and as attachment to the email with the subject: Technical offer 83486278

2.The financial offer has to be submitted in PDF format and the price must be in Rwandan Francs and VAT excluded (if applicable) and as attachment to the email with the subject: Financial offer 83486278

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