FC Africa is seeking up to three qualified National Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (NESOs) to deliver enterprise development services to nano and micro enterprises within the green economy sectors (Circular Economy, Renewable Energy, and Eco-Touri

TENDER INVITATION: REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

Selection of National Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (NESOs) in Ethiopia and Kenya

Programme: Green RISE Africa

Issued By: FC Africa

Submission Deadline: October 8, 2026, by 5:00 PM EAT

1. Background

FC Africa is a pan-African economic development organization established in 2006, working across access to finance, workforce development, MSME support, and blended finance. Under the Green RISE Africa initiative—a five-year programme implemented by Acumen across 16 countries—FC Africa serves as a Lead Entrepreneurship Support Organization (Lead ESO) across Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.

FC Africa is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to competitively identify and engage up to three (3) qualified National Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (NESOs) to deliver enterprise development services to nano and micro enterprises in priority green economy sectors across Ethiopia and Kenya.

2. Priority Sectors & Target Beneficiaries

Selected NESOs will support target enterprises across three core green economy sectors:

• Circular Economy: Waste collection, segregation, recycling, composting, resource recovery, and plastic recycling.
• Renewable Energy: Solar energy distribution/technology/installation, clean cooking, and productive-use energy technologies.
• Eco-Tourism: Sustainable tourism, community-based initiatives, eco-lodges, and conservation-linked enterprises.

Target Participants & Mandatory Inclusion Targets:

• Enterprise Types: Nano enterprises (≤2 employees) and Micro enterprises (3–5 employees).
• Target Demographics: Youth entrepreneurs (ages 18–35) and women-owned/led businesses.
• Inclusion Mandates: At least 70% young women, 7% Forcibly Displaced Persons (FDPs), and 3% Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

3. Geographic Scope

• Ethiopia: Target implementation clusters across Oromia, Amhara, Sidama, Central Ethiopia, Southern Ethiopia, Southwest Ethiopia, Tigray, and Somali regions.
• Kenya: Target county clusters including Central Kenya (Nyeri, Kiambu, Murang'a), Northern Kenya (Isiolo, Marsabit, Garissa), and Coastal Kenya (Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale).

4. Scope of Work & Deliverables

Selected NESOs will be contracted for an initial duration of 10 months to deliver:

1. Outreach & Mobilization: Identification, recruitment, and registration of eligible green enterprises.
2. Diagnostics & BDS: Tailored business diagnostic assessments and business development services (face-to-face and digital).
3. Coaching & Mentorship: A minimum of 12 one-on-one coaching sessions (at least 8 face-to-face) per enterprise.
4. Access to Finance & Markets: Financial readiness assessments, linkage to financial institutions (banks, SACCOs, MFIs), and buyer-seller market integration.
5. Monitoring, Reporting & GESI: Data tracking, job outcome verifications, GESI integration, and safeguarding/PSEAH compliance.

5. Key Eligibility Requirements

• Legal Status: Registered legal entity with physical office presence in the country of application.
• Experience: Minimum 3 years of operational experience with a track record in enterprise support.
• Financial Capacity: At least 2 years of audited financial statements.
• Compliance: Demonstrated commitment to safeguarding, PSEAH, and data protection standards.

6. Evaluation & Financial Terms

• Indicative Budget Unit Cost: $75 USD per enterprise supported (inclusive of all direct/indirect costs and applicable taxes).
• Evaluation Criteria Breakdown:
  • Technical Methodology & Assignment Understanding: 20%
  • Relevant Organizational Experience & Past Performance: 20%
  • Capacity & Operational Presence: 10%
  • Team Composition & Implementation Capacity: 10%
  • GESI, Safeguarding, Access to Finance & MERL Approach: 10%
  • Financial Proposal: 30%(Minimum technical score required to qualify for financial evaluation is 50%).

7. Application Process & Key Dates

• Pre-Proposal Information Session:
  • Date & Time: October 02, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EAT
  • Platform: Microsoft Teams (Meeting ID: 397 840 231 075 444 | Passcode: jA38jn7Q)
  • Link: Join Microsoft Teams Session
• Inquiries Deadline: October 7, 2026, by 5:00 PM EAT
  • Contact Person: Wakjira Lucho (Enterprise Support Lead) — [email protected] 
• Proposal Submission Deadline: October 8, 2026, by 5:00 PM EAT
  • Email Target: [email protected] 
  • Submission Format: Technical and Financial proposals must be submitted separately in the same email.
  • Email Subject Line: RFP Submission – National Entrepreneurship Support Organization (NESO) – [Country] – [Sector(s)] – [Organization Name]

Tender details

• Deadline: 2026-10-08
• Bid closing time: 17:00
• Bid opening: 2026-10-08 17:00
• Bid opening (note): No Specific Opening Date and Time
• Region: Addis Ababa
• Publishing entity: FC Africa
• Published on: 2merkato.com (Sep 22, 2026)
• Posted at: 2026-09-22T12:15:07.000Z
• Source: 2merkato