Introduction
AGRA invites qualified individual consultants to submit proposals for Consultancy to assess bankable investments for youth-led-agri-food value chains for Somalia Legacy Program. This document outlines the requirements and guidelines for the submission of proposals.
Background
AGRA is a proudly African-led institution focused on scaling agricultural innovations that help smallholder farmers towards increased incomes, better livelihoods, and improved food security. We understand that African farmers need uniquely African solutions to the environmental and agricultural challenges they face, enabling them to sustainably boost production and gain access to rapidly growing agricultural markets. In short, AGRA’s mission is to transform the lives of smallholder farmers from that of a solitary struggle for survival to a business that thrives.
Since 2006, we have worked with our partners, governments, non-governmental organizations, private sector businesses, and more; to deliver a set of proven solutions to smallholder farmers and indigenous African agricultural enterprises. We put smallholder farmers first on the agenda, recognizing that no country has moved from low income to middle income without agricultural transformation.
For more information about AGRA, please visit www.agra.org.
AGRA facilitates the participation of different countries in AFSF. In 2023, the AFSF Secretariat introduced an innovative model to support countries in structuring and presenting bankable, impactful transformational programs into what are called “Legacy Programs”. The goal of these programs is to present these projects to key players in the global investment and finance landscape with the ultimate objective of securing financing and closing deals. The Legacy Program is a programmatic business model on how specific demand driven prioritized value chains could pilot food system transformation at country level but focus on youth and women. Its main objective is to support a Food System Transformation that is sustainable, resilient, and inclusive, stimulating sustainable social and economic growth and a radical transformation of production and consumption patterns.
In 2025, Somalia was among the 7 countries that will pitch their Legacy Programs at the AFSF in Dakar, Senegal. AGRA and the AFSF Secretariat hence made decision in February 2025 to proceed to the design stage of the Somalia Country legacy Program using resources (human and financial) allocated from AGRA and other interested AFSF partners. To this end, AGRA is onboarding a consultant to develop investment assessment of the legacy program as presented at the AFSF forum.
Objectives of the Assignment
The overall objective of this consultancy is to contribute to the provision of technical assistance to the Government of Somalia in assessing the investments of the legacy programme as presented at the African Food Systems Forum (AFSF in September 2025).
Specifically, the consultant is expected to:
i) Carry out literature review and collect relevant data from primary and secondary data sources in Somalia
ii) Perform a comprehensive investment landscape analysis for the selected value chains, including size of opportunity, risk/return profile, financing gaps, and investor appetite (DFIs, commercial banks, impact investors, agribusiness corporates).
iii) Identify and quantify key investment bottlenecks (policy, regulatory, infrastructure, technology, financing, skills) and estimate the investment required to unlock growth in each priority value chain.
iv) Develop a portfolio of bankable, investment-ready business cases (deal pipeline) with clear capital requirements, projected returns, and risk-mitigation strategies, suitable for presentation to investors/financiers.
v) Propose investment instruments and financing structures (e.g. blended finance, guarantees, concessional lines, equity/quasi-equity, working capital facilities) tailored to the needs of youth-led agribusinesses and SMEs.
Scope of Work
The Consultant will:
i) Review existing AGRA, government and partner documents on Somalia’s agricultural strategy, prior market analyses and business case work.
ii) Hold inception consultations with AGRA and key stakeholders to validate priority value chains, geographic focus, and expectations regarding the depth of investment analytics.
iii) Develop a detailed methodology and analytical framework for the investment deep-dive, including Value chain investment mapping framework; Financial modelling approach (assumptions, scenarios, sensitivity, risk parameters); and Criteria for selection and prioritization of investable business models and pipeline opportunities.
iv) Prepare an Inception Report outlining the refined scope, methodology, sampling, workplan and deliverables, and present it to AGRA for validation.
v) Map the current investment landscape in Somalia’s agri-food sector for the selected value chains, including: (i) Public investments, donor / DFI portfolios, commercial bank and microfinance exposure, impact funds, corporate investments; and (ii) Existing and planned programmes targeting youth, SMEs and agribusiness in the sector.
Methodology
The work will involve the analysis of data for the investment case analysis as well as robust and inclusive consultations, involving a range of stakeholders. Secondary data and information will enrich the study by providing additional national context to the findings. In addition, it will entail reviewing existing literature and publicly available documents, policies, and plans on food systems development in the country.
The consultant will develop a detailed approach/methodology to deliver on each of the objectives outlined above and submit it for approval by AGRA. The consultant shall work hand in hand with the Data and Analytics team to develop the data collection tools.
Deliverables and Expected Outcomes
The consultant shall submit the following list of outputs as: -
a) A combined inception report with a detailed work plan, proposed data collection and analytics methodology, data collection plan (timetable), tools & templates to be used for data collection & list of primary and secondary data sources
b) A draft investment case analysis report covering:
c) A full word narrative and power point deck detailing the various components of the report
Deliverable - Description of the deliverable - Expected delivery time
1. Inception Report - A combined inception report with a detailed work plan, proposed data collection and analytics methodology, data collection plan (timetable), tools & templates to be used for data collection & list of primary and secondary data sources - 10 days
2. A draft Investment case report - A draft report containing all the relevant elements of investment analytics as outlined above - 25 days
3. A Full word narrative and deck of the Investment Case Analysis Report - A draft report containing all the relevant elements of a business case analysis outlined above. - 25 days
Responsibilities
The consultant will have the following responsibilities: -
The contact supervisor will be responsible for
Location and nature of the assignment
This is a full-time assignment that will be executed in Somalia. The consultant will need to travel within Somalia for collection of the relevant data and other information.
Duration
The assignment will be conducted over a period of 60 days.
Reporting, Communication and Coordination
Contract Supervisor for this consultancy is Dr. Paul Thangata. The consultant is expected to submit progress reports on a fortnightly basis by using the official AGRA email of the contract supervisor. He / she will also be expected to have regular check inn meetings with the technical team involved in the design of the Somalia legacy programme.
Qualifications and Experience
The consultant should have at least 5 years of experience in developing market analysis and business cases in food systems and related sectors. Consultant must have a food understanding of Somalia’s food systems landscape including key institutions, contacts and processes.
i. Academic qualifications
ii. Experience of the consultant in similar assignments
iii. Consultant’s understanding of the assignment
iv. Relevant experience in the region
Consultant should be fluent in the English language
Submission Instructions
AGRA has automated its procurement process through Oracle Supply Chain Management System. To access our tenders, you are required to register and have an oracle account.
Details of the tender can be accessed via AGRA Oracle vendor management system. All bidders MUST register in the oracle system as per the Vendor Registration and Bidders Manual provided. If you don’t have an accoun t please register in our oracle system using the Vendor Registration link .
For vendors with an AGRA Oracle account please login to your Vendor Portal and search for negotiation number RFP AGRA-US-1186 following the provided Vendor Registration and Bidders Manual.
Application Deadline: December 19, 2025, 5:00PM Eastern African Time
