Business Development Services for Vegetable and Potato Seed Markets in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire under the HortiFuture Project

The World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) invites bids for Business Development Services for Vegetable and Potato Seed Markets in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire under the HortiFuture Project. The procurement reference is PR1076206. It is procured as Consulting Services-Firm. The place of performance is WCA-CH Cotonou Benin. Bids close on 03 November 2026. WorldVeg is an international non-profit vegetable research and development organisation; queries on a specific bid go to the contact named in the bidding documents, and general queries to purchasing@worldveg.org.

PR no. 1076206 Procurement Form 14.16 Page 1 of 7 World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) T erms of Reference (TOR) — Consulting Firms 1. ASSIGNMENT SUMMARY Assignment Title: Business Development Services for Vegetable and Potato Seed Markets in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire under the HortiFuture Project Consultancy Type: Consulting Services — Firms Division / Requesting Office: West and Central Africa–Coastal and Humid Regions (WCA-CH) Duty Station / Assignment Station: Benin and Côte d’Ivoire. Potato activities in Côte d’Ivoire are subject to an assessment in the first year (to be conducted by another partner). Contract Managers: WCA-CH Regional Director Malick N. Ba (contractual), Director – Social Sciences and Nutrition Dr. Pepijn Schreinemachers (technical) Expected Contract Duration: From contract signature to 30 September 2031, subject to annual approval of work plans and budgets Type of Contract: □ Lump sum ■ Time-based 2. BACKGROUND “HortiFuture: Seed Systems Supporting the Growth of West Africa’s Horticultural Sector” is a five-year programme funded by the Government of the Netherlands, running from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2031. It aims to create an inclusive and competitive vegetable and potato seed sector that provides smallholder farmers with access to affordable, quality seed of a wide range of adap ted varieties. The programme operates in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Senegal, with WorldVeg as the lead implementing organization. Using the Integrated Seed Sector Development (ISSD) approach, HortiFuture recognizes that different crops, market segments and farmer groups require different seed supply systems. International seed companies, domestic public and private seed enterprises, and farmer- and community -based seed producers play complementary roles in meeting farmers’ seed needs. HortiFuture comprises four intervention domains: (1) seed market development; (2) biodiversity, varieties and seed supply; (3) seed sector regulation; and (4) seed sector governance. This assignment covers the seed market development domain in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire, focusing on strengthening domestic and international seed companies, facilitating access to finance, and improving last-mile seed distribution systems. Activities primarily cover v egetable seed markets; potato activities in Côte d’Ivoire will be informed by the programme’s first-year assessment. 3. OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY PR no. 1076206 Procurement Form 14.16 Page 2 of 7 The consultancy aims to strengthen inclusive, competitive and commercially sustainab le vegetable seed markets in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire, with potato activities in Côte d’Ivo ire subject to an assessment to be conducted in the first year of the programme: • Increasing farmers’ demand for and access to quality seed of adapted varieties through on - farm demonstrations, training, marketing campaigns and seed fairs. • Strengthening the technical, managerial and commercial capacity of domestic and international seed companies through tailored business support and technical assistance. • Improving companies’ investment readiness and access to finance, and mobilizing co - investment for seed-sector development. • Strengthening last-mile seed distribution systems through support to agro-inpu t dealers and improved linkages among seed companies, distributors and farmers. The selected consulting firm shall propose a coherent conceptual and metho dological approach covering both countries, adapted to their respective market conditions and coordinated with existing initiatives, such as SafeVeg in Benin and Centre Moyé in Côte d’Ivoire . Particular attention shall be given to the participation of women and youth and the sustainability of results beyond the programme period. The consultancy covers four interrelated actions: • Action 1.1: Strengthen domestic seed companies. • Action 1.2: Support international seed companies. • Action 1.3: Facilitate access to finance. • Action 1.4: Strengthen last-mile distribution systems. 4. SCOPE OF SERVICES The selected firm shall implement the following actions in close collaboration with W orldVeg and programme partners. Activities shall complement existing initiatives, such as SafeVeg in Benin and Centre Moyé in Côte d’Ivoire. 4.1 Action 1.1: Strengthen domestic seed companies 4.1.1 Identify and assess domestic seed companies—Year 1 Identify companies through an open call, conduct field assessments and due diligence, and contribute to the programme database. Assess business performance, growth potential and participation of women and youth. ▲ Project-wide targets: One database and 20 domestic seed companies selected. 4.1.2 Prepare company development plans—Years 1–2 PR no. 1076206 Procurement Form 14.16 Page 3 of 7 Assess companies’ production, variety portfolios, marketing, management and financi al performance; collect baseline data; and prepare tailored development plans. ▲ Project-wide targets: 20 companies supported and 20 development plans prepared. 4.1.3 Support implementation of development plans—Years 2–5 Provide training and coaching; facilitate access to improved varieties and licensing arrangements; and support company-led demonstrations, farmer training and links with agro-input dealers. ▲ Project-wide targets: 100% increase in seed production; 50% increase in crop and variety diversity; 260 demonstration plots; 7,800 farmers trained; and 3,9 00 farmers adopting improved/certified seed. Farmer targets include at least 30% women and 25% youth. 4.2 Action 1.2: Support international seed companies 4.2.1 Identify and engage Dutch seed companies—Year 1 Work with SeedNL and programme partners to identify and assess eligible Plantum o r Netherlands Potato Organization (NAO) member companies for participation in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire. In Benin, support shall focus on companies already active in the market. ▲ Project-wide targets: Approximately 20 Dutch seed companies engaged. 4.2.2 Support market entry and partnerships—Years