Brief Description of the assignment: Mapping of government funding opportunities available to MSMEs

Period of assignment: September 1, 2024 – October 30, 2024 (2 months)

Expected start date of the assignment: September 1, 2024

Closing date for expressing interest: August 23, 2024

Expression of interest to be submitted to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Background and rationale

The Kenyan Green and Digital Innovation Hub (gDIH), is a one stop shop support facility for MSMEs, start-ups, and innovators that seek to develop and scale up their green and digital oriented business. It is mandated to support Kenyan enterprises in their digital and green transformation by providing MSMEs, start-ups, and innovators demand driven services under four key pillars: access to innovation support facilities, access to finance, skills development, innovation ecosystem building. The hub’s focus sectors are Agriculture, Energy, ICT and Smart cities, while the focus technologies are automation, cybersecurity, cloud computing and IoTs.

Green and Digital MSMEs in Kenya can benefit from various funds established by the Government to help them innovate and expand their operations. The Kenya Government plays a crucial role in supporting start-ups by establishing programs that help firms overcome financial barriers such as high interest rates from financial institutions.  Unfortunately, most of these government financing opportunities such as the Youth Enterprise Fund, Biashara fund and Women Fund have not been fully exploited by innovators, start-ups, and MSMEs.  Since the funds are operated under different government departments and agencies, there is need to consolidate an information framework that lists the various funding mechanisms available.

The gDIH aims to develop a structured mechanism for effective access to government financing and other incentives and subsidies.

Objectives of the Consultancy

The goal of this consultancy is to map and provide a database of finance and investment opportunities from the Kenyan government to MSMEs, innovators and startups. The database will help build an online platform that will match MSMEs with the right funding for their business.

Duties and responsibilities

The consultant is expected to:

1. Map existing funding avenues offered by the Kenyan government to MSMEs and innovators and provide a database of the same
2. Develop a plan on the effective mechanism of engagement with the various government financing departments/ agencies.
3. Facilitate a stakeholder meeting with these financial agencies to collate views on feasible funding models for Green and Digital MSMEs
4. Facilitate signing of three collaborative agreements between ACTS and government funding agencies.  

Experience and qualifications

• Strong understanding of the funding landscape for MSMEs, innovators, and startups.
• Excellent research, data collection and analytical skills
• Capacity to carry out extensive mapping exercise within a short period of time
• Evidence of having carried out consultancies of a similar scale
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and facilitation skills.
• Experience in organizing and managing stakeholder engagement activities
• Ability to produce high quality reports that offer innovative solutions

Proposal Contents

Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to provide the above services by submitting an Expression of Interest with a Maximum of 15 pages which should include;

• Consultants Profile
• Evidence of similar assignments
• Capability statement: Technical and professional competence necessary for successful implementation of the assignment
• Financial Proposal

Deliverables

• Inception Report
• A detailed report on the assessment and analysis of available government incentives, subsidies, and financing opportunities.
• A comprehensive engagement plan with a roadmap for engaging with government financing institutions.
• Documentation of meetings held with key stakeholders, including minutes and action points.
• Signed collaborative agreements between ACTS and three (3) government agencies.
• Final Report

Duration

The assignment is set at 4 consultancy days and work is expected to be concluded by October 30, 2024

How to apply

Interested parties are to submit their Expression of Interest in the form of a PDF document to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by August 23, 2024.