RFP – Business Development Services Provider to provide Technical Assistance

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Introduction

Sierra Leone’s economy is largely driven by agriculture, extractive industries, and a growing services sector, with Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) playing a central role in employment creation and inclusive economic growth. Despite their importance, SMEs continue to face significant challenges, including limited access to finance, low productivity, weak business management capacities, and limited participation in international markets.

The Government of Sierra Leone is prioritizing private sector development and economic diversification, working closely with partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Through initiatives such as the Growth Accelerator Programme, UNDP has been supporting SMEs with business development services, technical assistance, and access to finance, with a particular focus on women- and youth-led enterprises.

Against the backdrop of global economic shocks, declining development financing, and changing international trade dynamics, expanding into new and untapped markets such as Japan has become increasingly important for Sierra Leonean businesses. With support from the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, a new project has been initiated to strengthen trade and business linkages between Sierra Leonean SMEs and Japanese enterprises by improving SME competitiveness, export readiness, product sophistication, and market access. The project also aims to promote business-to-business engagements, knowledge exchange, and trade facilitation in alignment with opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

One of the key activities under the project is the provision of technical assistance to Sierra Leonean SMEs to enhance their readiness to trade with Japanese enterprises. In this regard, UNDP, in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, is seeking the services of a competent and experienced Business Development Services (BDS) provider to deliver technical assistance, business support, and targeted training to SMEs in Sierra Leone. The assignment will focus on strengthening the capacity and readiness of SMEs to engage effectively in trade and business partnerships with Japanese enterprises and to access emerging regional and global market opportunities.

The overall objective of the assignment is to strengthen the competitiveness, export readiness, and market integration capacity of selected Sierra Leonean SMEs to effectively engage in trade and business partnerships with Japanese enterprises and access emerging regional and global market opportunities.

Specific objectives include:

1. Diagnosis analysis of selected Sierra Leone SMEs utilizing the Growth Accelerator Technical Assessment, expanded to include other viable SMEs on their operational, technical, and commercial readiness to participate in international trade and business partnerships with Japanese enterprises.
2. To strengthen the capacities of Sierra Leone SMEs in areas including export readiness, quality assurance, product standards and certification, packaging and branding, business management, financial management, and market intelligence.
3. To provide tailored business development and technical advisory services that enhance SMEs’ competitiveness and compliance with Japanese and international market requirements.
4. To support SMEs in identifying and leveraging market opportunities, trade partnerships, and investment linkages with Japanese enterprises and other regional and global value chains.
5. To enhance capacities for Sierra Leone SMEs’ understanding of international trade procedures, cross-cultural business engagement, and trade facilitation mechanisms relevant to the Japanese market.
6. To support the development of sustainable business growth strategies and investment-ready business profiles for selected SMEs.

 Scope of Work

The Business Development Service (BDS) Provider shall undertake the following specific tasks:

1. Conduct a diagnostic analysis of selected Sierra Leone SMEs utilizing the Growth Accelerator Technical Assessment, expanded to include other viable SMEs to determine their business capacity, export readiness, operational gaps, and potential for engagement with Japanese enterprises and international markets.
2. Design and deliver tailored capacity-building programmes, training sessions, mentorship, and coaching for SMEs on areas including
3. • Export readiness and international trade requirements;
   • Product quality standards, certification, and compliance;
   • Packaging, branding, and labeling for export markets;
   • Financial literacy and investment readiness;
   • Business planning and market positioning;
   • Digital marketing and e-commerce;
   • Cross-cultural business communication and negotiation with Japanese enterprises.
4. Provide technical advisory and hands-on business support services to selected SMEs to improve productivity, operational efficiency, competitiveness, and market compliance.
5. Support selected SMEs to develop or refine export strategies, market entry plans, company profiles, pitch decks, and investment-ready business documentation. 
6. Support SMEs to identify opportunities within regional and global value chains, including opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other international trade frameworks.
7. Guide SMEs on trade regulations, export procedures, logistics, customs requirements, and applicable Japanese market standards and protocols
8. Track SMEs’ progress, business performance improvements, partnership opportunities, and market engagement outcomes throughout the assignment.
9. Prepare and submit inception, progress, training, and final assignment reports, including recommendations for sustainability and post-programme support.

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Documents :

Negotiation Document(s)
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