Aqua for All is seeking a qualified consultancy firm to undertake a comprehensive market analysis, ecosystem mapping, market systems assessment, and investment pipeline development for the water and sanitation sector in Ethiopia.

Call for Proposals (CFP)

Consultancy Services for Water and Sanitation Market Analysis, Ecosystem Mapping, Market Systems Assessment, and Investment Pipeline Development

Aqua for All is an international foundation dedicated to driving universal access to safe, inclusive, affordable, and sustainable water and sanitation. Headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands, Aqua for All mobilizes private capital and strengthens enterprises to transform the water and sanitation sector across Africa and South Asia. Through investments in funds, smart grants, technical assistance, and de-risking mechanisms, Aqua for All supports enterprises and financial institutions to expand access to sustainable water and sanitation services.

In Ethiopia, Aqua for All works with government institutions, financial institutions, water utilities, enterprises, cooperatives, development partners, and civil society organizations to strengthen water and sanitation market systems and mobilize commercial finance. Through the Advancing Water and Sanitation Finance in Ethiopia and Beyond (2026–2030) Phase II project: co-funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Aqua for All seeks to strengthen financial markets, support investment-ready enterprises, and expand sustainable financing for households, MSMEs, and utilities

Background

Building on the achievements of Phase I, which demonstrated that blended finance and technical assistance can successfully unlock commercial finance for water and sanitation, Phase II adopts a broader market systems approach. The programme seeks to strengthen financial institutions, support water and sanitation enterprises, engage Financial SACCO Unions, explore innovative financing mechanisms, and mobilize increased investment into Ethiopia’s water and sanitation sector.

To support implementation of Phase II, Aqua for All intends to commission a qualified consultancy firm to undertake a comprehensive market analysis and ecosystem assessment that will inform programme implementation, investment decisions, and technical assistance priorities.

Objective of the Consultancy

The overall objective of this assignment is to generate an evidence-based understanding of Ethiopia’s water and sanitation market system, with particular focus on the Amhara Region, and to identify commercially viable investment opportunities, priority market segments, financing gaps, institutional capacity needs, and strategic interventions that will guide implementation of Phase II.

Scope of Work
The successful consultant will undertake, but not necessarily be limited to, the following activities:

• Conduct a comprehensive market analysis of priority water and sanitation market segments.
• Assess market systems, ecosystem actors, constraints, opportunities, and investment potential.
• Assess enterprise growth opportunities, investment readiness, and barriers to commercialization.
• Evaluate existing and potential linkages between enterprises and financial institutions.
• Assess the institutional and financial capacity of selected Financial SACCO Unions.
• Assess the feasibility of establishing a dedicated WASH financing facility and a WASH credit line through the Development Bank of Ethiopia.
• Develop a prioritized investment pipeline for water and sanitation enterprises and financial institutions.
• Develop an implementation roadmap to guide Years 1 and 2 of Phase II.
• Facilitate a stakeholder validation workshop and incorporate stakeholder feedback into the final

Geographic Coverage

The assignment will primarily cover:

• Amhara Region
• Addis Ababa

The consultant will undertake a combination of desk review, stakeholder consultations, key informant interviews, field visits, institutional assessments, and validation workshops.

Expected Deliverables

• Inception Report
• WASH Market Opportunity and Access to Finance Assessment Report
• Enterprise and SACCO Assessment Report
• Investment Pipeline and Phase II Implementation Roadmap
• Validation Workshop Report
• Final Consultancy Report and Presentation
• Executive Presentation of Findings

Duration

The consultancy is expected to be completed over approximately 60 working days within an estimated implementation period of three months from contract signing.

Required Qualifications

Applications are invited from consulting firms, research institutions, universities, or multidisciplinary consultant teams with demonstrated experience in:

• Water and sanitation sector assessments
• Market systems development
• Blended finance
• Financial sector development
• Enterprise development
• Investment readiness assessments
• Commercial banking, microfinance, or SACCO development
• Research, data analysis, and stakeholder consultation
• Previous experience in Ethiopia and knowledge of the Ethiopian water and sanitation sector will be considered a strong advantage.

Proposed Team Composition

The consulting firm shall propose a multidisciplinary team with expertise relevant to the assignment. At a minimum, the proposed team should include:

• Team Leader / Market Systems Specialist
• Financial Sector and Blended Finance Specialist
• Water and Sanitation Market Systems / Enterprise Development Specialist
• Research and Data Analysis Specialist
• Financial SACCO and Institutional Development Specialist (or equivalent expertise)

The consultant may propose additional experts considered necessary to ensure the successful delivery of the assignment.

Proposal Submission Requirements

Interested applicants shall submit:

Technical Proposal

The Technical Proposal should include:

• Understanding of the assignment
• Proposed methodology
• Workplan and implementation schedule
• Team composition
• CVs of proposed key experts
• Company profile
• Examples of at least three similar assignments completed within the last five years

Financial Proposal

The Financial Proposal shall include a detailed itemized budget covering all costs associated with the assignment, including professional fees, travel, accommodation, workshops, fieldwork, taxes, and all other reimbursable expenses.

Who Can Apply

Qualified consulting firms, research institutions, universities, development consulting organizations, consortiums or multidisciplinary consultant teams with demonstrated experience in WASH, market systems, blended finance and Ethiopia.

Evaluation

Technical Proposal: 70%

The technical evaluation component will comprise the following criteria and respective weightings: Understanding of the Assignment (15%), Methodology and Work Plan (30%), Relevant Firm Experience (20%), Qualifications of Key Experts (25%), and Quality Assurance and Risk Management (10%), totaling 100%.

Financial Proposal: 30%

The financial evaluation will be based on the total cost proposed for the assignment, with the lowest-cost compliant proposal receiving the maximum score and others scored proportionally.

The consultant will be selected using a Quality- and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) method, with Technical Proposal weighed at 70% and Financial Proposal weighed at 30%. Only proposals achieving a minimum technical score of 70% will proceed to financial evaluation.

Duration

Duration: Approximately 60 working days over 3 months. Budget & TAX

The financial proposal shall provide a detailed itemized budget covering professional fees, travel, accommodation, data collection, workshops, communication, taxes, and all other costs associated with the assignment. The total proposed price shall be inclusive of all applicable taxes and shall remain fixed for the duration of the contract.

Payment Schedule

Payment will be made in installments based on the satisfactory delivery of outputs

How To Apply

Interested consultants should submit their complete application electronically.

The application shall include:

• Technical Proposal
• Financial Proposal
• Company Profile
• CVs of Key Experts
• References for Similar Assignments

Applications should be sent to:
Email: [email protected] 
Subject Line: RFQ Reference: CFP/AfA/AA/08/2026 – Proposal for Water and Sanitation Market Analysis – [Consultant/Firm Name]

Submission Deadline: 22 August 2026 at 5:00 PM (East Africa Time)

Requests for clarification may be submitted by email no later than five (5) calendar days before the submission deadline. Responses will be shared with all interested bidders

Aqua for All reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal, to cancel the procurement process at any stage, or not to award a contract without incurring any liability to applicants.

Tender details

• Deadline: 2026-08-22
• Bid closing time: 17:00
• Bid opening: 2026-08-22 17:00
• Bid opening (note): No Specific Opening Date and Time
• Region: Addis Ababa
• Publishing entity: Aqua for All
• Published on: Reporter (Aug 09, 2026)
• Posted at: 2026-08-10T11:05:00.000Z