Request for Expressions of Interest Consultancy Services for the Development and Implementation of a Startup Voucher Program

Technology and Creative Sector

Financing Agreement reference: 2000200005160

Project ID No.: P-NG-K00-009

 

Background

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The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has received financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) towards the implementation of the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme. The objective of the iDICE Programme is to promote entrepreneurship, boost innovation, create jobs, enhance social development, and achieve economic transformation by fostering growth in the digital technology and creative ecosystem, building on brownfield investments and synergies with ongoing initiatives in Nigeria.

As part of implementation arrangements, the iDICE Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) within the Bank of Industry (BOI) – the Executing Agency for the Programme appointed by the FGN – is seeking consultancy services for the Development and Implementation of a Startup Voucher Program under the Creative Enterprise Support Organisation Program (CESOP) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy.

The CESOP initiative fosters an enabling ecosystem by supporting Enterprise Support Organizations (ESOs) and nurturing startups and enterprises through targeted development programs. CESOP consists of 4 key programs namely:

1. Hackathon and Creative Competitions
2. Startup Voucher Program

III. Startup Incubation Program

1. Enterprise Support Organization Training Program

Objective

 

The main objective of this assignment is the design, management, and implementation of a Startup Voucher Program under CESOP with the following goals:

• Facilitate access to relevant resources and services for startups within the creative sector to address crucial needs with regards to infrastructure access, product/service development, and business creation.
• Integrate voucher disbursement through two streams:

1. CESOP’s incubation program
2. Startups that apply for placement in the voucher program.

• Ensure effective tracking of voucher utilization and impact on startups’ growth and outcomes through monitoring frameworks.

 

Scope of Work

 

The consultant shall perform the following services:

1. Program Design and Framework Development

1. Design a voucher program framework to support startups in key areas such as:
   1. Product Development and Prototyping
   2. Marketing and Customer Acquisition

• Operational and Legal Support

1. Access to infrastructure and equipment (co-working spaces, software licenses, industry tools and equipment).

2. Clearly define eligibility criteria and application processes for startups.
3. Establish guidelines for voucher disbursement and monitoring.
4. Design a logistical disbursement strategy for the distribution of Startup Vouchers and related services.
5. Engage in partnerships with service providers for startup voucher fulfillment.

 

1. Startup Voucher Program Implementation

1. Launch a call for applications targeting startups meeting CESOP Startup Voucher Program selection criteria.
2. Review applications and select startups for voucher allocation with input from relevant ESOs and the CESOP Strategy Committee.
3. Disburse vouchers in accordance with startup needs and program guidelines and specifications.

 

1. Startup Voucher Program Monitoring and Evaluation

1. Develop tools for tracking voucher utilization, disbursement, and impact.
2. Conduct periodic reviews to assess startup progress, voucher impact, necessary disbursement, with the aim of increasing voucher usage and impact.
3. Regularly collect feedback from both startups and service providers to further refine the program.

 

1. Reporting and Sustainability Planning

1. Compile and an End-of-Program report, detailing voucher usage, startup outcomes, efficacy of service providers, and program impact.
2. Outline recommendations for future changes and scaling.

 

The Bank of Industry (BOI) now invites eligible consultants/Firms to indicate interest in providing these services by submitting their expressions of interest, demonstrating experience in performing similar assignments with references and showing responsiveness to the qualifications requirements outlined in this RFEOI.

Minimum Qualification, Skills and Experience

The consultant/team should have the following qualifications:

• Proven experience in designing and implementing startup funding mechanisms or similar programs.
• Expertise in the creative economy and familiarity with Nigeria’s business landscape.
• Strong understanding of financial management, operational planning, and resource allocation.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate M&E systems into program frameworks

 

Reporting and Coordination

The consultant/team will report to the CESOP Strategy Committee and work closely with representatives from the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy. Regular progress updates will be required to ensure alignment with program goals.

Legal & Compliance Requirements

 

The following requirements are applicable to companies/firms that are submitting EOI either as a single firm or a consortium of firms from Nigeria. For a consortium of firms or single firms domiciled in Nigeria, the lead firm MUST provide the following documents:

 

1. Evidence of legal registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in line with the requisite CAMA Act. 2020, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
2. Submission of Memorandum and Articles from CAC07 (i.e. Particulars of Board of Directors) and Form CAC02 (i.e. Particulars of Shareholders).
3. Affidavit indicating that all documents submitted are genuine and verifiable. 

Financial and Tax Requirements

 

1. Confirmation of financial capacity of the company (3 years audited statement of accounts and financial summary).
2. Evidence of VAT Registration and Company Tax Clearance Certificates for the last 3 years.

 

Firms that are registered outside Nigeria shall submit relevant legal and compliance documents as applicable to their countries of jurisdiction.

 

Submission of EOIs

 

Expressions of Interest should be structured as follows:

 

1. Details / organizational profile of the firm or consortium detailing the firm’s strengths, expertise and any relevant information (max. 3 pages)
2. Experience in similar assignments (max. 7 pages)
3. CVs of key staff members (max. 7 pages)
4. Any additional document(s) or information the firm believes is relevant

EOI submissions should not exceed 25 pages, excluding documents to be submitted as detailed under the Legal & Compliance and Financial & Tax Requirements above.

 

The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a shortlist and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s “Procurement Policy for Bank Group Funded Operations” October 2015, which is available on the AFDB’s website at http://www.afdb.org. Please note that interest expressed by an organization does not imply any obligation on the part of the Bank to include it in the shortlist.

 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours, i.e. from 8 AM to 5 PM on working days.

Deadline for Submission of EOIs

 

Expressions of interest MUST be delivered in hard and soft (in a USB flash drive) copies to the address below no later than 11th of June, 2025 at 3pm and specifically mention “EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A STARTUP VOUCHER PROGRAM UNDER THE CREATIVE ENTERPRISE SUPPORT ORGANIZATION PROGRAM (CESOP)”.

 

For the Terms of Reference (TOR) for this Expression of Interest, please visit www.boi.ng/idicetor.

Attn.

The iDICE Programme Coordination Unit

Bank of Industry

23, Marina, Lagos

E-mail: [email protected] (for enquiries only)

Tel: 0700 225 5264 (0700 CALL BOI)