1. Background:

The Alliance for Financial Inclusion

The Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) is the world’s leading organization on financial inclusion policy and regulation. Currently, 84 member institutions make up the AFI network including central banks, ministries of finance and other financial policymaking or regulatory institutions from over 76 developing countries and emerging markets. AFI empowers policymakers to increase the access and usage of quality financial services for the underserved through sustainable and inclusive policies and an effective use of digital technologies. 

Policies developed and implemented by AFI members contribute to a range of the Sustainable Development Goals.  By Setting their own agenda, AFI members harness the power of peer learning to develop practical and tested policy reforms that enhance financial inclusion with strategic support from both public and private sector partners.

AFI has 7 Working Groups (WG):  Consumer Empowerment and Market Conduct Working Group (CEMCWG), Digital Financial Services Working Group (DFSWG), Financial Inclusion Data Working Group (FIDWG), Financial Inclusion Strategy Peer Learning Group (FISPLG), Global Standards Proportionality Working Group (GSPWG), Inclusive Green Finance Working Group (IGFWG) and SME Finance Working Group (SMEFWG),

As the key source of policy developments and trends in financial inclusion and as the primary mechanism for generating and incubating technical content in the network, the Working Groups serve as “communities of practice”. Providing a platform for knowledge exchange and peer learning among policymakers to share, deliberate and deepen their understanding, the working groups offer leadership and expertise in their respective policy fields and support the network to monitor new developments in emerging fields.

The knowledge generated via the working groups is disseminated for implementation by a range of capacity building activities such as Joint Learning Programs, Member Trainings, Trainings by Private Sector Partners. The practical experience members garner from engaging in peer learning based capacity building is then applied by members as in country implementation projects which are supported by the provision of financial or technical support to AFI member institutions in conducting activities that aim to deliver financial inclusion policies, regulations, supervisory tools or enablers for the development of policies, such as national financial inclusion strategies. 

The working groups receive strategic guidance and insight from the High-Level Global Standards & Policy Committee, while the  Gender Inclusive Finance Committee, supports WGs in integrating gender considerations into all aspects of their work and support members in fulfilling their Denarau Action Plan (updated 2022) commitment to promote women’s financial inclusion.

AFI members have made further commitments in a range of other accords which can be read here.

The AFI’s five regional initiatives complete the AFI platform of services by supporting policy implementation in Africa (AfPI), Latin America and the Caribbean (FILAC), the Pacific Islands (PIRI), Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECAPI) and the Arab Region (FIARI).  

2. Project Background:

On 15 May 2019, the Ivorian Government adopted the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NFIS 2019-2024) which aims at significantly improving the access to Financial Services to the populations, particularly women, young people, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, and people living in rural areas.
Since the launch of the NFIS in June 2019, several projects have been initiated by all stakeholders, in line with the roadmap. In mid-term, the status of implementation of this roadmap reveals that progress has been accomplished with a financial inclusion rate raised to 50% in 2021, compared with a reference situation of 41% in 2017. 

The NFIS has been implemented via a diverse range of initiatives, comprising:

• The establishment of the Agency for the Promotion of Financial Inclusion (APIF), a dedicated institution to drive financial inclusion efforts.
• The launch of a nationwide financial inclusion campaign to raise awareness and stimulate demand for financial services.
• Delivering financial literacy training to vulnerable populations to equip them with financial knowledge and decision-making skills.
• Developing innovative financial products and services specifically tailored to the needs of low-income households. 

To assess the results obtained, it is planned to take stock of the implementation of the NFIS 2019-2024 action plan, to establish a diagnosis and make recommendations in line with the National Development Plan (PND 2021-2025).

3.  Overall Objective: 

The upcoming evaluation of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) will play a crucial role in assessing the strategy’s effectiveness and impact, paving the way for continued progress towards a more inclusive financial landscape in Côte d’Ivoire, in alignment with in conformity with the National Development Plan (PND 2021-2025). The evaluation will encompass a comprehensive assessment of the NFIS’s achievements, identifying both strengths and areas for improvement, and culminating in recommendations for future financial inclusion initiatives.

Key Objectives of the NFIS Evaluation;

• Effectiveness Assessment: Evaluate the overall effectiveness of the NFIS in achieving its stated objectives, examining how successfully the strategy has addressed the barriers to financial inclusion and contributed to broader economic and social goals.
• Impact Analysis: Assess the impact of the NFIS on quantitative financial inclusion metrics, such as access to formal financial services, account ownership, and usage rates, as well as qualitative measures of economic development, poverty reduction, and societal well-being.
• Strengths and Weaknesses Identification: Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the NFIS implementation, highlighting areas where the strategy has been particularly effective and areas that require improvement or adaptation.
• Opportunities and Threats Assessment: Analyze the opportunities and threats that have emerged during the NFIS implementation, considering both internal factors, such as organizational capacity and resource allocation, and external factors, such as technological advancements and regulatory changes.
• Recommendations for Future Initiatives: Provide evidence-based recommendations for future financial inclusion strategies or policy improvements, drawing upon the findings of the evaluation with regard to the next phase of financial inclusion efforts in Côte d’Ivoire (in line with the PND 2021-2025 National Development Plan).

By fulfilling these objectives, the NFIS evaluation will provide valuable insights into the strategy’s performance and contribution to financial inclusion in Côte d’Ivoire. The evaluation findings will serve as a foundation for refining and enhancing future financial inclusion initiatives, ensuring that the country continues to make strides towards a more inclusive and equitable financial system.

4. Scope of Work:

Specifically, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Review the NFIS and its action plan
• Develop a NFIS evaluation questionnaire which will be used during the interviews and focus groups with stakeholders
• Collect and analyze data on financial inclusion metrics, economic development, poverty reduction, and societal well-being
• Conduct interviews and focus groups with stakeholders, including government officials, financial institutions, civil society organizations, and beneficiaries of the NFIS
• Develop a comprehensive report that assesses the effectiveness and impact of the NFIS and make recommendations in line with the National Development Plan (PND 2021-2025)

Methodology

The evaluation will use a mixed-methods approach to gather and analyze data. This will include:

• Desktop research/review – Quantitative Data Collection – Indicator Analysis: The evaluator will conduct a comprehensive review of existing reports, surveys, economic indicators, and social indicators to gather quantitative data on financial inclusion metrics, economic development, poverty reduction, and societal well-being. This data will be used to calculate and analyze financial inclusion indicators, such as account ownership rates, usage rates of financial services, financial literacy levels, access to formal financial services by vulnerable populations, and affordability of financial products and services. The evaluator will also analyze the impact of the NFIS on these indicators over time to assess the strategy’s effectiveness in achieving its objectives.
• Qualitative data collection: The evaluator will conduct qualitative interviews and focus groups with stakeholders, including government officials, financial institutions, civil society organizations, and beneficiaries of the NFIS.
• Stakeholder engagement: The evaluator will engage with stakeholders throughout the evaluation process to ensure that their perspectives are considered.
• Analysis: The evaluator will use a variety of analytical approaches, frameworks, and tools to evaluate the data, including statistical analysis and thematic analysis. 

5. Key Deliverables [in French]:

The following are the key deliverables of this assignment:

• Summary of Desk Review – Quantitative Data Collection – Indicator Analysis: A concise summary of the desk review, quantitative data collection, and indicator analysis conducted during the evaluation. This summary will be incorporated into the final evaluation report.
• Finalized NFIS Questionnaire and Completed NFIS Questionnaires as well as Interview Transcripts: The NFIS Questionnaire itself as well as the completed NFIS questionnaires filled out by the target groups/stakeholders, along with transcripts of any interviews conducted during the evaluation, will be provided in a separate document.
• Comprehensive NFIS Evaluation Report: A comprehensive evaluation report that provides a detailed assessment of the NFIS’s effectiveness and impact. The report will include findings, analysis, and recommendations for future financial inclusion initiatives and in particular make recommendations in line with the National Development Plan (PND 2021-2025)
• Presentation of Key Findings and Recommendations: A presentation (including a comprehensive Powerpoint Presentation) of the key findings and recommendations of the evaluation. The presentation will be delivered to stakeholders involved in the NFIS, either in person in Côte d’Ivoire or virtually.

6. Timeline and Deliverables:

The assignment is expected to be undertaken from 1 February 2024 to 15 April 2024. Below is a tentative timeline:

7. Travel:

This consultancy work will require travel to Cote d’Ivoire to engage with national stakeholders and to deliver the presentation of the final evaluation report. Estimation of travel expense is advised to be itemized and included in Annex.2 financial proposal, if required. If the consultant is based in Cote d’Ivore then there will be no travel budget.

8. Consultant Criteria to Qualify:

• Applicant must be a consultant or consulting firm with a proven track record of success in financial sector development, financial inclusion, or a related field. The firm must possess expertise in law, governance, organizational structures, and public policies in African countries, as well as experience in developing financial inclusion policies, regulations, and national strategies. A thorough understanding of Côte d’Ivoire’s financial inclusion journey and the region’s financial inclusion policies and challenges is also essential.
• Specifically, the firm should have proven experience in addressing coordination challenges among national and high-level stakeholders involved in financial inclusion. Additionally, a demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality NFIS evaluations within tight deadlines is crucial.
• The team leader should have a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience and hold a master’s degree in a related field. Excellent written, spoken, and presentation skills in both French and English are required. Experience working with governmental institutions and public authorities in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) is also essential.
• The ideal candidate will possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, along with exceptional analytical, reporting, and writing abilities. Adaptability and a willingness to embrace change, coupled with a knack for assimilating feedback, are also essential. The ability to plan, organize, and execute projects effectively is paramount.
• Knowledge of microfinance, digital financial services, and mobile banking is a plus.
• Excellent communication, project management, and organizational skills are also required. Top-notch presentation and facilitation skills are a must.
• Adherence to integrity and ethical standards is mandatory. Sensitivity and adaptability to cultural, gender, religious, racial, national, and age differences are also crucial.

9. Reporting:

Throughout the contract period, the Consultant will be reporting to the Director of the Agency for the Promotion of Financial Inclusion (APIF). During the project, the teams of the Cote d’Ivoire Ministry of Finance will provide close oversight, guidance, and support to the consultant ; helping them connect with key stakeholders; facilitating their communication, and giving input to their deliverables where requested.

Note: AFI will not be the contracting party for this project as AFI is only assisting and facilitating the RFP process for this request on behalf of our member institute.

10. Payment Terms:

The payment terms and finalization of deliverables schedule will be subject to the arrangement and general terms and condition of Cote d’Ivoire Ministry of Finance relevant party during contract award and confirmation stage.

11. Proposal Submission Information:

Proposals will be due with the following requirements for submission:

10.1      Retention of Proposals

All proposals submitted become the property of AFI and MOF Cote d’Ivoire. AFI and MOF Cote d’Ivoire will make all reasonable efforts to maintain proposals in confidence and will release proposals only to personnel involved with the evaluation of the project. Proprietary information should be identified in each proposal. 

11. Evaluation Criteria

The proposals submitted will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Evaluation of technical and financial proposals

The evaluation and decision on the best proposal will be made based on the combined criterion, where companies are qualified by means of a score that takes into account the combined valuation of the technical and financial proposals, with the following weights:

i) Technical Proposal: 70% (Seventy percent)

ii) Financial Proposal: 30% (Thirty percent)

How to Apply

Interested applicants are expected to submit a proposal with an updated CV and using the template given by email to AFI’s Procurement & Contracts Office at rfp2320@afi-global.org by 1 December 2023.

Note: AFI does not tolerate copyright infringement, including and not limited to infringement, in the form of plagiarism. Consultant or consulting entity awarded a contract by AFI shall take responsibility to ensure that the authored works, produced in parts or as an entirety of the deliverables stated in this RFP does not infringe on copyrights.

The final decision on the selection of a consultant/consulting firm for this project rests with AFI management team and with the Inquiry. Only shortlisted and successful consultants will be contacted.