Terms of Reference (TOR) — Consulting Firms
1. ASSIGNMENT SUMMARY
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Assignment Title: Business Development Services for Vegetable and Potato Seed Markets in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire under the HortiFuture Project
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Consultancy Type: Consulting Services — Firms
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Division / Requesting Office: West and Central Africa–Coastal and Humid Regions (WCA-CH)
Duty Station / Assignment Station: Benin and Côte d’Ivoire. Potato activities in Côte d’Ivoire are subject to an assessment in the first year (to be conducted by another partner).
Contract Managers: WCA-CH Regional Director Malick N. Ba (contractual), Director – Social Sciences and Nutrition Dr. Pepijn Schreinemachers (technical)
Expected Contract Duration: From contract signature to 30 September 2031, subject to annual approval of work plans and budgets
Type of Contract: Lump sum Time-based
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2. BACKGROUND
“HortiFuture: Seed Systems Supporting the Growth of West Africa’s Horticultural Sector” is a five-year programme funded by the Government of the Netherlands, running from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2031. It aims to create an inclusive and competitive vegetable and potato seed sector that provides smallholder farmers with access to affordable, quality seed of a wide range of adapted varieties. The programme operates in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Senegal, with WorldVeg as the lead implementing organization.
Using the Integrated Seed Sector Development (ISSD) approach, HortiFuture recognizes that different crops, market segments and farmer groups require different seed supply systems. International seed companies, domestic public and private seed enterprises, and farmer- and community-based seed producers play complementary roles in meeting farmers’ seed needs.
HortiFuture comprises four intervention domains: (1) seed market development; (2) biodiversity, varieties and seed supply; (3) seed sector regulation; and (4) seed sector governance.
This assignment covers the seed market development domain in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire, focusing on strengthening domestic and international seed companies, facilitating access to finance, and improving last-mile seed distribution systems. Activities primarily cover vegetable seed markets; potato activities in Côte d’Ivoire will be informed by the programme’s first-year assessment.
3. OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY
The consultancy aims to strengthen inclusive, competitive and commercially sustainable vegetable seed markets in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire, with potato activities in Côte d’Ivoire subject to an assessment to be conducted in the first year of the programme:
- Increasing farmers’ demand for and access to quality seed of adapted varieties through on-farm demonstrations, training, marketing campaigns and seed fairs.
- Strengthening the technical, managerial and commercial capacity of domestic and international seed companies through tailored business support and technical assistance.
- Improving companies’ investment readiness and access to finance, and mobilizing co-investment for seed-sector development.
- Strengthening last-mile seed distribution systems through support to agro-input dealers and improved linkages among seed companies, distributors and farmers.
The selected consulting firm shall propose a coherent conceptual and methodological approach covering both countries, adapted to their respective market conditions and coordinated with existing initiatives, such as SafeVeg in Benin and Centre Moyé in Côte d’Ivoire. Particular attention shall be given to the participation of women and youth and the sustainability of results beyond the programme period.
The consultancy covers four interrelated actions:
- Action 1.1: Strengthen domestic seed companies.
- Action 1.2: Support international seed companies.
- Action 1.3: Facilitate access to finance.
- Action 1.4: Strengthen last-mile distribution systems.
Proposal Clarification and Submission
Any inquiries regarding this RFP should be directed by email before 4:45 PM Taipei Time on 23 October 2026 to:
WorldVeg Procurement and Central Services Office
Subject Line: Questions about PR1076206 Business Development Services for Vegetable and Potato Seed Markets in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire
All proposals must be submitted by email before 4:45 PM Taipei Time on 03 November 2026 to:
WorldVeg Procurement and Central Services Office
Subject Line: Proposals for PR1076206 Business Development Services for Vegetable and Potato Seed Markets in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire
For detailed information, please check the complete version of the RFP attached below.