REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

The Fourth Northern Uganda Social Action Fund Project (NUSAF IV)
PROJECT ID: P179904 | CREDIT NO: 77340-UG

Assignment Title: Consultancy Services to Conduct a Value Chain Analysis and Market Assessment of Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Enterprises in Beneficiary Districts under the Fourth Northern Uganda Social Action Fund Project (NUSAF IV)
Reference No.: OPM/NUSAF IV/CONS/2026-27/00015
Issued on: 23rd July 2026

The Government of Uganda has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Fourth Northern Uganda Social Action Fund Project (NUSAF IV) and intends to apply part of the proceeds toward payments under the contract for Consultancy Services to Conduct a Value Chain Analysis and Market Assessment of Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Enterprises in Beneficiary Districts under the Fourth Northern Uganda Social Action Fund Project (NUSAF IV).

The consulting services ("the Services") include undertaking a comprehensive Value Chain Analysis and Market Assessment of selected agricultural and non-agricultural enterprises across the NUSAF IV beneficiary districts. The assignment is intended to provide evidence for identifying commercially viable enterprises and sustainable market opportunities to support implementation of Component 1: Sustainable Livelihoods Enhancement. The study will identify enterprises with strong market potential, assess their commercial viability, identify constraints affecting participation of poor and vulnerable households, and recommend practical interventions that will facilitate sustainable market linkages beyond the life of the project.

The study will cover the nine (9) NUSAF IV sub-regions of Acholi, Bukedi, Bunyoro, Busoga, Eglon, Karamoja, Lango, Teso and West Nile, with primary data collection undertaken in selected beneficiary districts to be agreed upon during the inception phase. The consultant will, among others:

• Review project documents, Government reports, previous value chain studies, market assessments and relevant secondary data;

• Identify and assess potential agricultural and non-agricultural value chains suitable for NUSAF IV beneficiaries;

• Undertake market systems analysis, including assessment of demand, supply, competition, buyer requirements and market opportunities;

• Conduct value chain mapping to identify key actors, market relationships, governance structures, value addition opportunities, bottlenecks and constraints;

• Carry out field consultations through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, market observations and stakeholder engagements with producers, processors, traders, buyers, financial institutions and business development service providers;

• Assess the commercial viability of selected enterprises, including profitability, investment requirements, input availability, working capital requirements, market demand, risks and expected returns for beneficiaries receiving NUSAF IV livelihood support;

• Identify barriers affecting participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups and recommend measures to promote inclusive participation;

• Assess opportunities for private sector engagement and recommend strategies for sustainable market linkages and enterprise development;

• Prepare and submit inception, draft and final Value Chain Analysis and Market Assessment Reports together with cleaned datasets, data collection tools and supporting documentation.

The assignment is expected to be completed within forty-five (45) working days from contract signature.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) may be obtained from the address below during official working hours or upon request by email.

The Office of the Prime Minister now invites eligible consulting firms ("Consultants") to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The shortlisting criteria are:

1. The firm shall have a minimum of eight (8) years' experience in conducting value chain analyses, market assessments, enterprise development studies, agricultural value chain studies or similar assignments in Uganda or comparable contexts.

2. Demonstrated experience in undertaking market systems analysis, agricultural and non-agricultural value chain assessments, enterprise viability studies, livelihoods assessments or private sector development assignments financed by Government, the World Bank or other development partners.

3. Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including key informant interviews, focus group discussions, market surveys, stakeholder consultations and market observations.

4. Demonstrated experience in assessing enterprise profitability, market access, financial inclusion, rural finance, private sector engagement and preparation of evidence-based recommendations for enterprise development and livelihood programming.

5. Demonstrated experience in integrating gender, youth, disability and social inclusion considerations into value chain analysis, livelihoods or enterprise development programmes.

6. Availability of appropriate technical and managerial capacity to undertake assignments of similar scope, complexity and geographical coverage.

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, First Edition, February 2025, setting forth the World Bank's policy on conflict of interest.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should clearly indicate whether the association is in the form of a Joint Venture and/or a Sub-consultancy. In the case of a Joint Venture, all partners shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract if selected.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultants Qualification Selection (CQS) method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, Fifth Edition, February 2025.

Further information may be obtained at the address below during office hours from 0800 to 1700 hours (East African Time), Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

Expressions of Interest must be delivered in a written form by 7th August 2026 at 11:00am (East African Time) to the address below by hand, courier or email.

The Permanent Secretary,
Attn: Head, Procurement and Disposal Unit
Office of the Prime Minister
Sir Apollo Kagwira Road
P.O. Box 341, Kampala, Uganda
Telephone: +256 417 770500
E-mail: pd@opm.ug