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Expression of Interest are invited for Agri Finance Value Chain Opportunities Agri Finance Value Chain Opportunities Description The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and potential for IFC to design and implement agriculture finance products to support unbanked small holder farmers, retailers, and agri SMEs working with large anchors. The project will support AgriConnect which is a WBG private-public sector initiative that focuses on countries where the government and the private sector demonstrate a strong commitment, scaling up proven interventions to achieve greater impact. The initiative aims to break the cycle of persistent poverty by supporting 300 million farmers to move up the value chain, from growing food to growing businesses. Through this project IFC aims to design an intervention that leverages anchor firm led aggregation models to build a supportive ecosystem for farmers and the entire value chain. Activities Description The study will be conducted in two stages, with stage two to take place upon completion and a satisfactory outcome on Stage 1. The proposed timeline for the study is 7-8 months with a proposed budget of up to US$ 100,000/-. Stage I Global Overview & Anchor Profiling Identify and profile 2530 agriculture/commodity anchor companiesglobal, regional, and localthat could be potential IFC partners. These would be anchor companies with established and growing supply chains in priority countries which include, but are not limited to, Angola, Cote dIvoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Djibouti, Morocco, India, Bangladesh, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Ukraine, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Papua New Guinea, and Vietnam). Assess their financial needs, operational challenges, and growth opportunities across their supply chains. Upon IFCs approval, conduct deeper ecosystem studies for select anchors as described below, with their explicit consent, to explore partnership opportunities and complementary financial solutions. Stage II a. Deeper Ecosystem Studies for Select Anchors; Detailed Assessment & Supply Chain Mapping Funding Landscape: Analyze current financing for up to seven selected anchor firms in the food value chain (global or across at least two super-regions) and assess market size and growth potential. Intermediary Channels: Identify key players, their financing sources, adequacy, constraints, and funding costs (formal and informal) across the value chain. Stakeholder Engagement: Consult with anchor firms, financial institutions, farmer/retailer organizations, and other stakeholders to gather insights on challenges, risks, and opportunities. Product Design Opportunities: Review existing financial products (e.g., working capital loans, inventory financing, trade credit, supply chain finance) and recommend innovative solutions, including risk mitigation tools such as guarantees, insurance, and blended finance. Risk Analysis: Identify credit, operational, and market risks for each value chain layer, and propose mitigation strategies for sustainable financing. Note: All stakeholder consultations with short-listed anchor firms to be undertaken jointly with IFC representatives. Stage II b. Findings · Highlight potential partnerships, investment opportunities, and enabling policy frameworks. Provide actionable recommendations for IFC to design and implement finance products for the anchor firms studied. Strategic Focus Enhancing agricultural product offerings and access to finance is closely aligned with IFC and the World Bank Groups strategic focus on poverty reduction, shared prosperity, climate resilience, food security, and private sector development. This approach supports WBGs 2025 commitment to build a comprehensive agribusiness ecosystem with smallholders and producer organizations at its core, and to double annual agri-finance commitments by 2030. This approach supports AgriConnects effort to scale impact by building a supportive jobs ecosystem providing access to markets, finance, inputs, knowledge and technology. For IFC, it advances priority impact areas including inclusive growth, gender equality, rural job creation, and climate smart investment, while leveraging anchor firms and value chain linkages to strengthen market systems and mobilize private capital. These efforts contribute directly to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), ensuring that agricultural development drives broadbased, sustainable impact. Deliverables Inception Report: Detailed work plan, methodology, and timeline for the study Interim Findings: Summary of insights after completion of each stage. IFC at its sole discretion may decide not to proceed with the study after Stage 1. Final Report: Comprehensive report including market analysis, anchor client profiling, product design opportunities, risk assessment, and recommendations for IFC. Presentation: A summary presentation of findings and recommendations to IFC leadership and relevant stakeholders. Tender Link : https://wbgeprocure-rfxnow.worldbank.org/rfxnow/public/advertisement/6509/view.html
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