ACCESS TO FINANCE RWANDA

Request for Proposals

For

CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR THE FSD NETWORK DIGITAL PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE (DPI) COUNTRY SCOPING STUDY (CONSULTING FIRMS)

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

PROCUREMENT REFERENCE NUMBER: AFR/RFP - FSD NETWORK DPI SCOPING STUDY
/APRIL/2026

1. About FSD Network

The Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Network is a family of ten locally established Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) programs building diverse and inclusive financial systems across Africa that enhance financial resilience and sustainable livelihoods for all and enable inclusive economic growth. We believe that financial systems have the potential to play a major role in enabling inclusive growth and ensuring access to basic goods and services while assuring a sustainable future for low-income people. We are deeply committed to equity between men and women and supporting the vulnerable and marginalized, including refugees and people living with disability. 

We have a national FSD presence in four East African Community (EAC) countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda) with nearly two decades of experience in advancing inclusive financial ecosystems and fostering inclusive economic growth. DRC and Somalia are exploring establishing an FSD, with Burundi and South Sudan currently the only EAC partner States with no FSD (current or planned). Support to these EAC states will be centrally managed through the FSD Network and guided by the imperatives of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the FSD Network seeks to mold sustainable financial systems, enabling them to work more inclusively across Africa.

2. About Access to Finance Rwanda 

Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) is a Rwandan not for profit company established in 2010 to promote financial inclusion and financial sector development. AFR is currently funded by Sweden, Jersey Overseas Aid, MasterCard Foundation, Co-Develop, and Gates Foundation.

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 through helping policy makers, regulators, financial service providers, and markets drive a more inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

AFR supports the removal of systemic barriers that hinder access to and use of financial services by low-income people, particularly the rural poor, women, youth and MSMEs, and supports the development and provision of financial services including savings, credit, insurance, investment, payments, and remittances.

AFR 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. For more details visit our website: (www.afr.rw).On behalf of FSD Network and with the support of Gates Foundation, AFR seeks firms to facilitate Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Country Scoping Study 

3. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Country Scoping Study 

Catalyzing African economic integration requires interoperable foundations. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is the definitive cornerstone of inclusive digital transformation, providing the foundational systems needed to deliver services at societal scale. In Africa, where mobile connectivity is expanding rapidly, DPI offers the architecture to transition from fragmented silos to unified digital economies. By empowering individuals, governments, and enterprises, it strengthens service delivery, eliminates redundant duplications, and directly supports regional ambitions for a seamless cross-border trading environment where systems connect securely across borders.

Dismantling the digital divide through last mile capability mapping is a critical objective of this scoping study. It aims to understand challenges and assumptions that risk deepening exclusion. By focusing on last mile capability gaps, the FSD Network aims to ensure DPI is inclusive by design, rather than limited to populations already digitally connected. This approach prioritizes the 63% rural population across FSD markets, ensuring marginalized groups are not excluded by high technology requirements that overlook local infrastructure realities. Navigating the political economy to align market incentives with functional DPI design requires a paradigm shift, grounded in a deep understanding of the political and commercial drivers shaping existing market actors.

This study aims to review current business cases to understand how DPI might challenge or enhance existing models, ensuring that technical solutions are both socially and politically viable. The objective is to transform sound prima facie strategies into actionable, sustainable plans that address systemic market failures and implementation deficits in current national DPI plans. Recognizing this transformative potential, the FSD Network will undertake a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) scoping study across eleven (11) countries; Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia with additional countries considered based on strategic alignment. This multi-country study will assess the current state, readiness, and opportunities for DPI development in each country, providing a roadmap for coordinated policy dialogue, investment, and implementation.

4. Purpose, Objectives and Expected Results 

FSD Network operates on the fundamental conviction that financial systems must be transformed into sustainable, inclusive engines for economic growth. This mission necessitates a transition from aspirational digital strategies into a functional, Africa led Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) reality that addresses systemic market failures and unlocks pathways to prosperity. By situating DPI within existing FSD Network ongoing digital identity, instant payments investments and programs we aim to foster a resilient, inclusive, and seamless digital ecosystem that provides equitable access to services on a societal scale.

Purpose 

The purpose of this scoping study is to identify and address the systemic capacity gaps hindering the realization of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) that is specifically tailored to African realities. 

Global Objective

The overarching objective of this assignment is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the status of Digital Public Infrastructure across target countries. This study will identify strategic opportunities for harmonization, investment, and specialized technical assistance, establishing a systematic framework to mobilize long term capital. By evaluating DPI maturity, the assignment seeks to align collective initiatives into a unified methodology that addresses systemic market failures and implementation challenges, while promoting an inclusive, secure digital ecosystem across the continent

Interested firms must confirm their intention to submit a proposal by Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 17h00 HRS CAT

Any requests for clarifications to the RFP may be submitted by Monday, May 4, 2026, 17h00 HRS CAT.

Bidders should submit their proposals no later than Friday, May 8, 2026, 14:00 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 or consortia 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 of the planned procurement schedule:

Note: This procurement is open to both Local and International firms. Joint Venture between local and international firms is encouraged.

Cordially,

Jean Bosco Iyacu

Chief Executive Officer