Request for Applications (RFA) from private solar developers to install solar water supply pumps in seven communities using a lease-to-own model under the Solarizing Community Water Supply project (Phase II), implemented by Winrock International.

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA)
Program Name: Solarizing Community Water Supply (Phase II)
Country/Location: Central & South Ethiopia Regional States
Request for Applications (RFA) No: RFA 2.2
RFA Issued: August 6, 2026
Applications Due: August 20, 2026

Please download the full document attached

SECTION 1: PROJECT DESCRIPTION 1.1 SUMMARY

The purpose of this RFA is to solicit applications from private solar developers to install solar water supply pumps in seven communities using a lease-to-own model under the Solarizing Community Water Supply project (Phase II), implemented by Winrock International. The company will pay the up-front costs for installing the solar pumps and will transfer ownership to the community once the commercial cost of the solar water pump is paid off by the community. The community will make a down payment of 10% and will pay monthly instalments until the solar pump is paid off (3 years).
The purpose of this RFA is to select private developers to enter into lease-to-own contracts for solarization of the diesel-powered water systems in seven communities, located in:

•  South Ethiopia Region,  
  • Wolaita Zone: Bibiso Comunity in Damot Fulasa Woreda, Kercheche and Arso Wei de Communities in Duguna Fango Woreda  
  • Gofa Zone: Hoshele and Zaba in Debretsehay Woreda  
• Central Ethiopia Region
  •  Kembata Zone: Kota Kombola community in Damboya Woreda,  
  •  Hadiya Zone: Sege community in Gombora Woreda 

1.2 BACKGROUND AND BUSINESS MODEL

An estimated 6,000 off-grid communities in Ethiopia rely on costly diesel-powered piped water systems. Winrock’s goal is to create a commercial market for solarization of diesel pumps that will enable communities to purchase a solar pump through a lease-to-own agreement. During the period of 2023 – 2025, Winrock implemented Phase I of the Solarizing Community Water Supply project, which demonstrated the lease-to-own model in ten communities in Amhara and Oromia regional states. Winrock is now implementing Phase II of this work, with a goal of assisting an additional 30 communities to solarize their existing diesel water supply pumps.

Winrock believes that the lease-to-own model will facilitate a commercial market for solarization of
diesel community water pumps. The overall market is expected to be on the order of thousands of
systems in Ethiopia, with more in other Sahel and East African countries.

5. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS 

This RFA is open to private solar developers with experience designing and installing community solar water pump systems in East Africa. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in Ethiopia.

Applicants must propose at least two key personnel: an Energy Engineer with 5+ years of experience in solar water pumping projects; and an Expert with 5+ years of experience in renewable energy technologies, business management, and/or a related field. A strong preference will be given to applicants who propose at least one woman on the team.

SECTION 6: INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION 

Questions regarding this RFA can be submitted to [email protected]  at any time.
Applications must be in English, using Times New Roman font size 12, single-spaced. Annex I must be no more than 7 pages. CVs of proposed staff do not count towards the page limit. Applications must be submitted to [email protected]. Please do not send files in ZIP format.
Incomplete or late applications will be ineligible for review or award.
A complete application will include the following:

• A completed and signed Application Form (Annex I)
• A completed Technical and Cost Details spreadsheet for each of the seven sites (Annex II).
• Brief bio or short resume (not more than 2 pages) for each key personnel that demonstrates their qualifications and experience relevant to the project.

Please download the full document attached

Tender details

• Deadline: 2026-08-20
• Bid closing time: 17:00
• Bid closing (note): Applications Due: August 20, 2026
• Bid opening: 2026-08-20 17:00
• Bid opening (note): No specific opening date and time mentioned
• Region: Addis Ababa
• Publishing entity: Winrock International
• Published on: 2merkato.com (Aug 07, 2026)
• Posted at: 2026-08-07T15:23:03.000Z