TENDER NOTICE / REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

TITLE OF THE TENDER: CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR PROJECT PREPARATION STUDIES, INVESTMENT STRUCTURING, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL STUDIES, SAPZ DEVELOPMENT AND COLD CHAIN FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENTS FOR THE GABIRO AGRIBUSINESS HUB PROJECT (GAHP), RWANDA

Method: Two Stage Tendering

Tender Notice No.: 001/C/GAH/PRC/26-27

Country: Rwanda

Sector: Agriculture / Agribusiness / Agro-Industrial Development

Financing Source: Policy and Human Resources Development Grant (PHRDG) of the Government of Japan administered by the African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

1. Background

The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), through Gabiro Agribusiness Hub Ltd (GAH Ltd), invites eligible consulting firms to express their interest in undertaking project preparation studies, investment structuring and environmental and social studies for the Gabiro Agribusiness Hub Project (GAHP) in Rwanda. The assignment is financed through the Policy and Human Resources Development Grant (PHRDG) administered by the AfDB.

The Gabiro Agribusiness Hub Project is a flagship Government of Rwanda (GoR) initiative established to transform agriculture into a modern, climate-smart and private sector-oriented sector. Phase I of the project has successfully developed approximately 5,600 hectares of irrigated agricultural land together with supporting infrastructure, creating the foundation for commercial agriculture and private sector investment. Phase II seeks to expand the Hub by an additional 10,000 hectares and further strengthen Rwanda's agricultural value chains. 

As part of the Phase II expansion, the GoR is exploring the integration of a Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) model within the Gabiro Agribusiness Hub. The proposed SAPZ will complement agricultural production with agro-processing, logistics, storage, cold chain infrastructure and related support services to promote value addition, reduce post-harvest losses, facilitate market access and attract private sector investment across the agricultural value chain. 

The assignment will assess the viability of developing and operationalizing GAHP Phase II, integrating the SAPZ model, structuring investments through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and direct private sector investments, and developing cold storage and cold chain logistics solutions. The studies are expected to advance the project to detailed feasibility stage and investment readiness as well as support the mobilization of public and private sector financing for implementation.

2. Objective of the Assignment

The objective of the assignment is to prepare bankable and detailed feasibility studies and preliminary E&S studies integrating safeguard instruments to support:

a. The development of GAHP Phase II which consist of three main components:

• Infrastructure Development: Expand bulk water supply and irrigation systems, including pumping stations, transmission pipelines, distribution networks, internal roads, and power infrastructure to support agricultural production and agro processing.
• Agricultural Production and Value Addition: Promote high-value crops for domestic and export markets, support climate-smart farming, and develop agro-processing facilities to enhance value addition and reduce post-harvest losses.
• Institutional Capacity, Investment promotion and facilitation: Enhance GAH Ltd’s capacity to manage infrastructure and investor relations while enhancing extension services, research partnerships, and market facilitation.

b. The integration of a SAPZ model within GAHP;

c. The development of cold storage and cold chain logistics infrastructure;

d. PPP transaction and private sector investment structuring; and

e. The preparation of technical, financial, environmental, social, and commercial studies required to facilitate project financing and implementation. 

3. Overview of Scope of Services

The selected consulting firm shall undertake comprehensive project preparation studies covering three interrelated components. The detailed scope of work, tasks, deliverables, and qualification requirements are provided in the Terms of Reference (ToR) attached as Annex. 

Part I – Gabiro Agribusiness Hub Phase II Development

The assignment shall include:

• Feasibility studies for irrigation, agricultural production and enabling infrastructure;
• Agricultural value chain and market assessments;
• Infrastructure and utility assessments;
• Climate-smart agriculture assessments;
• Financial modelling and business planning;
• PPP and investment structuring;
• Master planning, preliminary engineering designs and Bills of Quantities (BoQs);
• Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP) preparation;
• Investor attraction and market outreach strategies. 

Part II – SAPZ Preparation Studies

The assignment shall include:

• SAPZ feasibility and investment-readiness assessments;
• Market, commercial and industrial demand assessments;
• SAPZ master planning and zoning;
• Industrial clustering and anchor investor attraction strategies;
• Infrastructure, logistics, utilities and storage assessments;
• PPP and innovative financing structures;
• Business planning and investment case preparation; and
• Environmental and social assessments. 

Part III – Cold Storage and Cold Chain Logistics Assessment

The assignment shall include but not limited to:

• Market and demand assessments;
• Technical and engineering feasibility studies;
• Operational and business model assessments;
• Financial and economic analysis;
• Environmental and social assessments;
• Business plan development and investment recommendations. 

4. Eligibility Requirements

This Request for Expressions of Interest is open to consulting firms or consortia that:

• Are legally incorporated in AfDB Member Countries;
• Have proven experience in Sub-Saharan Africa;
• Have demonstrated experience in agribusiness, irrigation, agricultural infrastructure, SAPZs, agro-industrial parks, PPPs, logistics or similar projects;
• Have experience undertaking feasibility studies, transaction advisory services and investment-readiness assessments;
• Have experience preparing ESIAs and ESMPs.;
• Possess strong multidisciplinary technical capacity and report-writing capabilities;
• Have experience working with AfDB, MDBs, DFIs or similar institutions (an advantage);
• Have the capacity to prepare reports and deliver services in English. 

Firms must not be under sanction by the AfDB Group or any other Multilateral Development Bank.

5. Areas of Required Expertise

Interested firms should demonstrate competence in one or more of the following areas:

• Feasibility Studies;
• Agricultural Infrastructure;
• Irrigation and Water Resources;
• SAPZ and Agro-Industrial Park Development;
• Environmental and Social Studies;
• PPP, Transaction Advisory and Private sector investment structuring;
• Engineering Design and Costing;
• Financial Modelling and Project Finance;
• Market and Value Chain Analysis;
• Cold Storage and Cold Chain Logistics;
• Business Plan Preparation;
• Investment Structuring and Capital Mobilization;
• Climate-Smart Agriculture and Sustainability Assessments.

6. Submission Format

The Expression of Interest (EOI) should address the scope of work and key components outlined in the detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) attached as Annex A and shall be submitted in the following format. The submission should include, but not be limited to, the information listed below:

i. Firm or Consortium Profile(Maximum 1 Page)

• Firm name and nationality;
• Contact person and contact details;
• Legal and ownership structure;
• Consortium arrangements (if applicable).

ii. Technical Capability and Understanding of the Assignment(Maximum 5 Pages)

• Description of the firm's strengths and relevant expertise;
• Understanding of the assignment and its objectives;
• Proposed approach and methodology;
• Any additional information demonstrating the firm's suitability for the assignment.

iii. Relevant Experience(Maximum 2 Pages)

Provide details of similar assignments undertaken, including:

• Assignment title;
• Client;
• Country;
• Scope of services;
• Assignment value;
• Completion status;
• Client contact details and references.

iv. Key Experts

Curriculum Vitae (CVs) of the proposed key personnel shall be attached as annexes.

v. Additional Information

Any additional documents or information the firm considers relevant to support its application.

Interested firms are encouraged to keep their submissions concise and generally not exceeding ten (10) pages, excluding annexes and CVs.

7. Shortlisting and Selection

The establishment of the shortlist and the selection procedure shall be carried out in accordance with the applicable procurement rules and procedures of the GAH Ltd

Please note that inclusion on the shortlist does not imply any obligation on the part of the Client to award a contract to any firm.

8. Submission of Expressions of Interest Submission Details and Requests for Information:

Applications shall be submitted in sealed, properly bound envelopes in two copies (one original and one copy) and delivered to the Reception Desk of the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), Kacyiru, Kigali, Rwanda, no later than 04August 2026 at 1:00 PM (Kigali time). Electronic submissions will not be accepted. Late submissions will be rejected and returned unopened. Applications will be opened on the same day, 04 August 2026 at 1:30 PM (Kigali time).

Clarifications:

Any requests for clarification regarding this notice or the Terms of Reference should be submitted in writing to info@gah.rw

Bids will be opened and governed by the internal procurement policy and procedure manuals approved by the GAH Ltd.

Nyagatare, 20 July, 2026

Aloysius NGARAMBE

Chief Executive Officer

Gabiro Agribusiness Hub Ltda