REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) - Catalyzing Honey Value Chain Growth in Mandera County, Kenya Response Deadline: [4th August 2025] 1. Introduction The BORESHA-NABAD Programme is a three-year, European Union-funded initiative implemented by a consortium led by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) . The programme works to strengthen resilience, economic inclusion, and peaceful coexistence across the borderlands of Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia through systems-thinking and market-driven approaches. As part of its broader Market Systems Development (MSD) strategy, the programme aims to stimulate inclusive and sustainable economic growth by fostering private sector investment and innovation within high-potential value chains. In this context, the programme is prioritizing the development of the honey value chain in Mandera County, Kenya a region with untapped potential for apiculture, yet constrained by systemic market barriers and limited integration of smallholder producers. Below are the findings from an assessment carried out at Tarama location by the county Government: 1. Absence of Formal Apiary: The LCIG group currently lacks a formal apiary. Beehives are placed on tree branches and enclosed using thorn bush fencing, similar to a homestead compound. 2. Lack of Technical Design : There is no structured apiary layout, and hive placement lacks considerations for spacing, sun orientation, and access, hindering proper management. 3. Hive Placement for Predator Control: Placing hives on trees is a local strategy used to deter predators. However, it presents risks related to hive accessibility, stability, and weather exposure. 4. Training History : The group previously received training by DRC BORESHA on: General beekeeping Apiary site selection and layout Dryland agriculture techniques However, they lack the necessary infrastructure to translate training into practice. This Request for Information (RFI) seeks to identify and engage private sector actors such as honey aggregators, processors, off-takers, and service providers with demonstrated potential and strategic interest in expanding their honey related operations in Mandera. The objective is to catalyze commercially viable and scalable business models that integrate local smallholder beekeepers into sustainable value chains, enhance product quality and market access, and ultimately contribute to improved livelihoods and resilience for rural communities. Firms responding to this RFI should have a clear vision for growth, a commitment to inclusive business practices, and the capacity to co-invest in innovative approaches that strengthen backward and forward linkages within the honey ecosystem. Note : This is not a call for proposals or tender. BORESHA-NABAD is not requesting technical or financial bids at this stage. This RFI is purely exploratory and will inform a competitive procurement process. 2. Objective of the RFI This RFI aims to: Identify private firms with a proven track record or high potential in honey production, aggregation, processing, and marketing Assess the readiness and strategic interest of identified firms to commercially expand into Mandera County through inclusive, scalable, and market-responsive business models. Explore how strategic partnerships can help de-risk private sector investments, support co-financing of innovative business models, and incentivize sustained engagement with local honey producer groups through shared value approaches and aligned community driven priorities. 3. Market Opportunity and Role of the Firm BORESHA-NABAD will facilitate the competitive selection of a commercially viable firm to drive market led solutions, in line with the project systems-based approach." The firm will be expected to: Deploy a scalable end-to-end value chain model engaging smallholder producer through contract farming, embedded services, and guaranteed offtake. Aggregate honey near production zones or via partnerships with local entrepreneurs. Facilitate processing and value addition, either directly or by enabling producer groups to handle a portion of their production. Expand market access for Mandera-sourced honey locally, nationally, and regionally. Leverage the Partnership Innovation Fund to pilot, validate, and de-risk its business model in a frontier market like Mandera. This co-investment framework is designed to stimulate new private sector engagement, trigger competitive behaviour, and lay the foundation for a resilient and commercially viable honey market system in the region. 4. Information Requested from Interested Firms Firms are invited to submit a brief non-binding statement of interest that show systems thinking i.e, how they will influence others in the market or address root causes of value chai gaps. This should be covered under the following: Company Profile Name, registration details, location, and years in operation Description of your honey/agriculture/agro-processing business model Commercial Experience Experience working with smallholder farmers or producer groups Previous operations in value chains (especially honey or other natural products) Aggregation, processing, and market development experience Vision for Expansion into Mandera Interest in expanding into Mandera County and the rationale High-level outline of how you would engage producers, county government, financial institutions aggregate, and process honey perceived barriers to market entry or scaling in Mandera and suggestions on how these might be mitigated through collaboration. Any existing market channels you would leverage or expand Catalytic Financing Readiness Potential areas where catalytic co-funding (e.g. through a Market Stimulation Fund) could de-risk or accelerate your expansion Investment or cost-share capacity 5. Submission Instructions Interested firms should email their Expression of Interest (3–5 pages max, PDF or Word) by 04th August 2025 at 17:00pm
[email protected] Subject Line : RFI – Honey Value Chain – Mandera County For any clarifications, please contact:
[email protected] 6. Important Notes This RFI is solely for market sounding and information gathering. It does not constitute a solicitation or an offer to contract. Only firms that demonstrate strong alignment with BORESHA-NABAD’s systems-oriented approach will be shortlisted for future engagement. All submissions will be treated as confidential and used only for internal programme design and planning purposes. We look forward to hearing from innovative and growth-oriented honey enterprises ready to transform the Mandera honey market with commercially sustainable and inclusive models. Terms of Reference (TOR) for Catalyzing Inclusive Honey Value Chain Development in Mandera County through Private Sector Co-Investment. Background Founded in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading international NGO with specific expertise in forced displacement. Active in 40 countries with 9,000 employees and supported by 7,500 volunteers, DRC protects, advocates, and builds sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities. DRC works at all stages of displacement: in the acute crisis, during displacement, settlement and integration in a new place, and upon return. DRC provides protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance, supports displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included in hosting societies, and collaborates with civil society and responsible authorities to promote rights protection and peaceful coexistence. The BORESHA-NABAD Programme is a three-year initiative funded by the European Union and led by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), working to promote peacebuilding, resilience, and inclusive economic growth across the cross-border regions of Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia. The programme employs a Market Systems Development (MSD) approach to catalyze private-sector engagement and sustainable market access for marginalized populations. Purpose of the ToR In Mandera County, the honey value chain remains largely informal and underdeveloped, constrained by weak aggregation systems, low and inconsistent volumes, poor post-harvest handling, and minimal private sector investment. BORESHA-NABAD seeks to crowd in a commercially oriented honey processing firm to serve as a lead market actor in transforming the local honey market into an inclusive, scalable, and commercially viable system. Objective of the Consultancy To identify and partner with a honey processing company that demonstrates the capacity, commitment, and commercial incentive to: Expand business operations into Mandera County; Aggregate, process, and market honey at scale; Establish contract-based relationships with smallholder producers and cooperatives; Deliver embedded services and quality assurance systems; Develop market-responsive, traceable supply chains that connect Mandera honey to national and regional markets. This partnership will be grounded in a matching fund mechanism , whereby both DRC and the selected firm co-invest in key activities to de-risk initial engagement, demonstrate commercial viability, and stimulate systemic uptake. Scope of Work and Methodology The selected firm will act as the lead firm driving honey value chain upgrading, with facilitative support from DRC. Responsibilities include: A. Inclusive Supply Chain Development Establish contract farming or supply agreements with at least 300 smallholder honey producers and/or cooperatives. Provide embedded services such as training, inputs, and extension support to producers to ensure consistent quantity and quality. Set up and/or strengthen aggregation hubs to support bulking, grading, and traceability of raw honey. B. Processing and Value Addition Establish or expand processing infrastructure that meets national and regional food safety and quality standards. Invest in basic or semi-automated processing equipment aligned with projected production volumes. Promote value addition through packaging, branding, and labeling, targeting differentiated markets. C. Market Access and Linkages Secure offtake agreements and build new commercial pathways for Mandera-sourced honey across local, national, and regional markets. Facilitate buyer-seller forums , price discovery mechanisms, and traceable supply systems. Introduce or strengthen monitoring and traceability tools to ensure quality, authenticity, and compliance with market standards. D. Co-Investment and De-risking Enter into a matching fund agreement with DRC to share costs in key catalytic areas including: Aggregation infrastructure (e.g., honey collection centres); Processing equipment and food safety enhancements; Training and embedded extension services for producers; Digital tools for traceability and quality assurance. Demonstrate readiness to leverage own capital or crowd in additional finance to sustain and scale the model. Participate in joint learning and adaptation processes to refine the model and promote systemic uptake by other value chain actors. Deliverables Inception Report (Month 1): Detailing expansion strategy, aggregation plans, producer engagement approach, and proposed co-investment areas. Signed Supply Agreements : With at least 300 producers or cooperatives under structured contract or supply models. Functional Aggregation Canters : Minimum of three aggregation hubs established and operational. Processing Infrastructure Established/Upgraded : Facility meeting minimum food safety requirements and aligned with market needs. Training Reports : Covering business skills, quality control, and production best practices. Market Access Strategy : Developed and under implementation. Mid-Term Progress Report : Tracking performance, bottlenecks, and adaptive actions. Monitoring & Traceability System : In place for production tracking, quality control, and basic certification. Final Project Report : Including key performance metrics, outcomes, lessons learned, and proposed scale-up pathway. Duration, Timeline, and Payment The total expected duration to complete the assignment will be not more than 110 working days The firm shall be prepared to complete the assignment no later than 30th Nov 2025. Eligibility, qualification, and experience required for the Consultant The assignment requires a firm possessing the following requirements: Be legally registered and operational for at least 3 years. Having experience promoting honey value chain in Arid and semi-Arid areas especially at the Mandera triangle. Have proven experience in honey chain development. Demonstrate ability and commitment to invest financially in the partnership. Have a track record of engaging smallholder producers or cooperatives in honey value chain. Show evidence of existing or potential market linkages within Kenya or the Horn of Africa. Technical supervision The Firm will work under the supervision of: The programmes’ Manager DRC Kenya The Inclusive Markets Coordinator BORESHA Location The firm will implement this intervention in Mandera with possibility of expanding to other regions of the triangle. Please find complete bidding documents in the following link: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION - Catalyzing Inclusive Honey Value Chain Development in Mandera