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 Ghana and Senegal 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: Ghana and Senegal
Contract Manager: 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 Ghana and Senegal, focusing on strengthening domestic and international seed companies, facilitating access to finance, and improving last-mile seed distribution systems. Activities cover vegetable seed markets in both countries and potato seed markets in Senegal, in coordination with WorldVeg, programme partners and existing initiatives.
3. OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY
The consultancy aims to strengthen inclusive, competitive and commercially sustainable vegetable seed markets in Ghana and Senegal, and potato seed markets in Senegal, by:
- 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, including the Business Seed Partnership (BSP) in Ghana. 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.
4. SCOPE OF SERVICES
The selected firm shall implement the following actions in close collaboration with WorldVeg and programme partners. Activities shall complement existing initiatives, particularly the Business Seed Partnership (BSP) in Ghana.
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 PR1076207 Business Development Services for Vegetable and Potato Seed Markets in Ghana and Senegal
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 PR1076207 Business Development Services for Vegetable and Potato Seed Markets in Ghana and Senegal
For detailed information, please check the complete version of the RFP attached below.