Consultant to Conduct a market analysis for the automotive value chain and design a database schema for a sustainable supplier finder to enhance business linkages for MSMEs along the supply chain

i. Enhanced networking between MSMEs with potential buyers for improved competitiveness and growth potential; ii. Secured database information related to sustainability efforts, including certifications, environmental impact reports, and social responsibility practices, facilitating the selection of sustainable suppliers; iii. Enhanced value chain transparency though a centralized repository for information about suppliers, enabling businesses to track the sustainability performance of the value chain. iv. Improved opportunities for collaboration and partnership between different size firms, including between SMEs themselves and large to medium-sized business linkages.

The following are the expected deliverables from the assignment: i. Market Analysis report ( market access and market information) – 15% upon submission of the inception report. ii. A database schema for an Automotive Sustainable Supplier Finder – 45% upon submission of draft market analysis report, a training manual and a draft electronic database schema iii. Training report – 40% upon submission of final market analysis report, database schema and a training workshop report.

Background and Context In Africa today, integrated manufacturing and assembly of vehicles is concentrated entirely in South Africa and Morocco. South Africa’s automotive industry has a long history and is home to major European, American, and Asian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The automotive sector in South Africa targets both domestic and export markets, facilitated by attractive government incentives as well as free trade agreements with key export markets. On the other hand, in Southern Africa (excluding South Africa), vehicle production is limited to small-scale assembly of imported Semi Knocked-Down (SKD) and Completely Knocked-Down (CKD) vehicle kits, which have lower levels of local value addition in comparison to Complete Built Up (CBU) production.

However, scale remains small and underutilized, with limited local value-addition. In Southern Africa, countries such as Lesotho, known for its leather inputs, along with Zambia and Botswana, both active in electronics manufacturing, have demonstrated capabilities in component production. Others, like Malawi exhibit latent potential, especially in rubber ,although this is yet to translate into tangible industrial outcomes. To unlock the region’s full potential, the development of integrated regional value chains is essential, linking upstream raw material suppliers with midstream processors and downstream assembly and distribution networks. Achieving this requires enhanced coordination, infrastructure development , and policy alignment across member states to foster a cohesive and competitive manufacturing ecosystem. Southern African Leather Value Chain Productive Capacity Southern African region is actively promoting the growth of its regional leather value chain. Currently, the region is poised to provide support to the automotive sector, which includes intra-regional interactions through MSMEs.

Southern Africa’s leather value chain aligns with the region’s strategic objectives of industrialization and regional integration through its automotive sector and value chain-led economic growth. Given the above, UNECA is seeking to engage the services of a consultant to simplify market information for MSMEs in the automotive sector, supporting their efficiency by providing access to trade intelligence through a free digital portal. The digital platform will also enhance supplier finder information for potential buyers, thereby supporting business linkages for MSMEs seeking to supply raw materials in the automotive sector.

– Proven knowledge of the workings of trade, MSMEs, Business linkages, market access and market intelligence.

– Proven capacity to review and analyze value chain development in support of the automotive sector in Africa/ Southern Africa. – Proven capacity to develop policy for data base development.

– Proven capacity building o conduct trainings for MSMEs.

– Proven ability to write clear, practical and quality reports is desired.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.