INVITATION TO BID: Procurement Of Consultancy Services for Digitally Enabled, Women-Led Food Delivery Aggregation (Micro Franchise) Model

General Objective

To design, pilot, and validate a scalable and commercially viable Market Systems Development (MSD)-aligned food aggregation hub framework that integrates localized food production with green mobility platforms in Addis Ababa. The initiative aims to sustainably increase the incomes of marginalized women and youth by strengthening localized market connectivity, reducing digital exclusion, and improving the efficiency of green last-mile logistics. Through proof of concept and demonstration of commercial viability, the aggregation hub model will create a pathway for the gradual development and replication of micro-franchise businesses in Ethiopia.

Specific Objectives

The service provider is expected to address the following specific objectives, utilizing its market expertise to propose the most effective, flexible, and non-duplicative implementation approach:

1. Design and Operationalize the Aggregation Hub Framework
   Establish women-led neighbourhood aggregation hubs that collect, market, quality-assure, and coordinate the distribution of food products produced by home-based women entrepreneurs, while developing systems that can be replicated as future micro-franchise units.
2. Leverage Green Mobility and EV Logistics Networks
   Develop partnership models with existing green mobility providers that enable youth delivery riders to use electric vehicles (EVs) for aggregated food delivery, reducing logistics costs, improving operational efficiency, and increasing riders’ net earnings.
3. Deploy Low-Barrier Digital Market Linkages
   Utilize existing digital platforms, messaging tools, lightweight applications, and commercial partnerships to connect informal food producers with consumer and institutional demand while avoiding duplication of existing technologies and reducing barriers to participation.
4. Build Technical and Operational Capacity
   Provide targeted support for home-based women producers and hub operators, including food safety and hygiene standards, business management, customer service, quality assurance, and hub operations management.
5. Test and Validate a Pathway to Micro-Franchising
   Assess the commercial viability, operational performance, and scalability of the aggregation hub model and develop a practical roadmap for its gradual replication and transition into locally owned micro-franchise businesses operated by women entrepreneurs.

For detail TOR, please refer the link below: >>

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fp2Y53yJjR4ltFqSpAH44D2xWoChKAmX/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110887480410632260964&rtpof=true&sd=true

Applicants should demonstrate proven experience in designing and implementing inclusive urban market interventions, with particular emphasis on:

• Proven experience in Market Systems Development (MSD), enterprise development, and sustainable livelihood interventions.
• Strong technical expertise in digital market platforms, JobTech solutions, e-mobility, green logistics, and urban food value chains.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting women-led and informal micro-enterprises to access digital markets, business services, finance, and commercial networks.
• Experience in building partnerships with private sector actors, including digital platforms, logistics providers, and market aggregators.
• Established policies and practices on safeguarding, data protection, and responsible business conduct.
• Minimum three (3) years of demonstrated experience in the informal food sector, digital marketplace solutions, e-mobility/EV ecosystems, and business linkage facilitation.
• Proven track record in implementing similar assignments that connect micro and small enterprises with markets, digital platforms, logistics providers, and commercial partners.
• Experience working with women-led enterprises, aggregation models, or inclusive business initiatives is an added advantage.