General objective 

The overall objective is to provide technical assistance that will ensure the active implementation of activities for the related Strategic Objective (SO1) of the Project.

Specific objectives 

1. Capacity Building

• Organize training programs and hands-on workshops using learning by doing (LBD) methodologies for SMEs and women-led businesses.
• Identify gaps in access to finance hindering women’s participation in intra-African trade
• Establish mentorship programs pairing experienced women entrepreneurs with young female SME leaders to navigate business challenges
• Provide mentorship and training support to women-led SMEs through women associations to sell products in African markets and advise on e-commerce practices
• Assist women associations in designing and developing e-platforms for engagement in the national market
• Promote the achievements of Ethiopian women entrepreneurs through the AfCFTA initiative

      2. Public-Private Engagement 

• Facilitate public-private dialogues and assess their effectiveness through organized forums and roundtables for private sector stakeholders to provide feedback on AfCFTA implementation
• Advocate for public-private partnerships focused on developing critical trade infrastructure, such as roads, ports, ICT, and customs facilities 

      3. Technical Assistance

• Develop tailored export strategies for pre-identified companies or associations in alignment with MoTRI priorities
• Assess and enhance the capacities of ECCSA (Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Association), AACCSA (Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Association), and other relevant sectoral associations through training and advisory services
• Collaborate with ECCSA (Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Association), AACCSA (Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Association), and other sectoral associations to promote supportive policies for the private sector within the context of AfCFTA

     4. Stakeholder Engagement

• Support in setting up the technical working group
• Support the Project Team in developing and maintaining effective relationships with all relevant stakeholders and introduce relevant stakeholders to the Project Team
• Support the Project Team in formalizing partnership agreements with concerned stakeholders 

     5. Market Access and Export Promotion

• Support relevant beneficiaries in participating in trade events and business delegations for SMEs and women-led businesses to other African countries under the AfCFTA
• Conduct enterprise audit processes for the private sector to ensure compliance and readiness
• Engage with ESLSE (Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics Services Enterprise), EFFSAA (Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association), and other logistics providers for readiness assessments to improve transportation infrastructure, reduce export costs, and facilitate access to African markets for Ethiopian companies

Description of the assignment

The service provider must provide this service in line with the agreed procedure and timelines of Expertise France:

Methodology and Tasks

• Review relevant project documents (to be shared once contracted)
• Participate in an Inception Meeting with the ECOTRADE team and other stakeholders to define expectations
• Ensure consistency with Expertise France and EU implementation guidelines.
• Hold intermittent meetings with ECOTRADE, where required, to track progress of work

Anticipated deliverables (not exhaustive) 

1. Trainings and Workshops: Documentation of SME and women-led business trainings/workshops conducted using existing or newly developed manuals and learning by doing (LBD) methodologies, including participant feedback
2. Mentorship Programs:  Records of mentorship activities pairing experienced women entrepreneurs with young SME leaders, including monitoring updates
3. Public-Private Dialogues: Summaries of forums/roundtables held, with stakeholder feedback and recommendations for AfCFTA implementation
4. Export Strategies: Developed export strategies and tailored advisory briefs for selected companies/associations, aligned with MoTRI priorities, using existing policy and training materials
5. Stakeholder engagements: Documentation of technical working group meetings, partnership agreements, and stakeholder introductions facilitated
6. Trade Events:  Records of SMEs’ and women-led businesses’ participation in AfCFTA trade events, including success stories and promotional highlights
7. Technical Assistance for Sectoral Associations: Assess and enhance capacities of key private sector associations (ECCSA, AACCSA)

Notes:

1.    The above Deliverables are indicative and not exhaustive 

2.    Specific Deliverables with actual deadlines will be indicated in respective Purchase Orders that will be issued for each assignment under this Framework Agreement. 

3.    All deliverables must be submitted in English and follow the EU’s standard format for project documents (templates will be shared).

Coordination 

The expert will work under the direct supervision of an assigned official from the ECOTRADE Project. Coordination with specific stakeholders may be required.

Place, duration and terms of performance

• Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (with possible remote options)
• Implementation period: Indicative start date for February 2026. Specific work periods will be indicated in respective Purchase Orders to be issued