REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
CONSULTANCY TO DEVELOP A COMMUNICATION AND DONOR VISIBILITY PLAN AND BRAND GUIDELINES
FOR THE EABC–AFDB PROJECT
Summary of the Assignment
Nature of assignment: Short-term consultancy
Location: EAC Region
Eligibility Criteria: Only firms based in EAC Partner States are eligible to apply
Project Title
Accelerating Sustainable and Inclusive Industrialization in the East African Community (EAC)
(EABC–AfDB Project)
1. Background
The East African Business Council (EABC), with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), is implementing the project “Accelerating Sustainable and Inclusive Industrialization in the EAC.” The project aims to strengthen private sector competitiveness, promote value addition, and enhance regional and continental market access under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Priority value chains under the project include Edible Oils, Leather, and Textiles, which have strong potential for industrial growth, job creation, export diversification, and inclusive development—particularly for SMEs, women, and youth-led enterprises.
Effective communication and strong donor visibility are essential to ensure stakeholder awareness, ownership, coordination, and recognition of AfDB’s support through the Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA). To this end, EABC seeks to engage a qualified consulting firm to develop a comprehensive Communication and Donor Visibility Plan and a Project Brand Guideline aligned with AfDB and EABC communication standards.
2. Objectives of the Consultancy
2.1 Overall Objective
To develop and operationalize a clear, coherent, and results-oriented Communication and Donor Visibility Plan and Brand Guidelines that enhance awareness, stakeholder engagement, and visibility of AfDB’s support to the EABC–AfDB Project.
2.2 Specific Objectives
The consultancy will aim to:
- Develop a comprehensive Communication and Development Partner/Donor Visibility Plan aligned with AfDB and EABC requirements;
- Strengthen awareness of the project’s objectives, activities, and results among key stakeholders;
- Ensure consistent, accurate, and compliant use of AfDB and EABC branding across all communication materials;
- Promote stakeholder engagement, ownership, and participation throughout the project lifecycle;
- Showcase project impact on industrialization, regional integration, and AfCFTA market access.
3. Scope of Work
The consulting firm will undertake the following tasks:
- Desk Review and Inception
- Review project documents, logframe, workplan, AfDB communication and visibility guidelines, and EABC communication practices.
- Hold inception meetings with EABC and relevant stakeholders.
- Development of Communication and Donor Visibility Plan
- Define communication objectives, key messages, target audiences, and communication channels.
- Develop a communication matrix/workplan with timelines, responsibilities, indicators, and targets.
- Integrate gender, youth, and inclusivity considerations.
- Include risk analysis and mitigation measures related to communication and donor visibility.
- Align the plan with AfDB’s Ten-Year Strategy and “High 5s,” especially Integrate Africa and Industrialize Africa.
- Development of Project Brand Guidelines
- Develop a clear project brand identity aligned with AfDB and EABC branding standards.
- Provide guidance on:
- Logo usage and co-branding (AfDB, FAPA, EABC);
- Color schemes, fonts, and visual identity;
- Templates for reports, presentations, brochures, banners, social media, and digital products;
- Photo, video, and multimedia usage and consent requirements.
- Ensure compliance with AfDB donor visibility requirements.
- Validation and Finalization
- Present draft Communication Plan and Brand Guidelines to EABC for validation.
- Incorporate feedback and submit final approved versions.
4. Deliverables
The consulting firm is expected to deliver:
- Inception Report with methodology and workplan;
- Draft Communication and Development Partner/ Donor Visibility Plan;
- Draft Project Brand Guidelines;
- Final Communication and Development Partner/ Donor Visibility Plan (validated);
- Final Project Brand Guidelines (validated);
- Editable templates and branding assets where applicable.
All deliverables shall remain the property of EABC.
5. Duration
The assignment is expected to be completed within 30 working days from contract signing.
6. Qualifications and Experience of the Consultancy Firm
The consulting firm should demonstrate:
- At least one expert with a Master’s degree in Communication, Media Studies, Development Communication, Marketing, International Relations, or a related field;
- Minimum 5 years of experience in strategic communication, donor visibility, or development communication;
- Proven experience developing communication strategies, visibility plans, and brand guidelines for donor-funded projects;
- Demonstrated experience working with multilateral development partners (AfDB experience is an added advantage);
- Strong understanding of regional integration, private sector development, and AfCFTA-related programmes;
- Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills.\
- Company profile highlighting relevant expertise and experience and proof of business registration and tax compliance (for firms)
7. Evaluation Criteria
| Criteria | Description | Max. Points |
| Technical Proposal (70 pts) | ||
| Qualifications of Key Personnel | Relevant academic qualifications and expertise | 10 |
| Relevant Experience | Proven experience in communication strategies, donor visibility, branding for development projects | 30 |
| Methodology and Approach | Clarity, soundness, and feasibility of proposed methodology and workplan | 30 |
| Financial Proposal (30 pts) | ||
| Cost Effectiveness | Value for money | |
| Cost Realism and Justification | Clear and realistic budget | |
| Total | 100 |
Minimum technical score to qualify for financial evaluation: 60/70
8. Reporting and Coordination
The consulting firm will report to the Executive Director, EABC, and work closely with the EABC–AfDB Project Management Team and the Communications and Market Intelligence Department.
9. Ethical Considerations
The consulting firm shall:
- Maintain confidentiality of all information obtained during the consultancy;
- Acknowledge EABC and AfDB ownership of all deliverables;
- Avoid conflicts of interest;
- Ensure inclusivity, gender sensitivity, and ethical communication practices;
- Comply with EABC and AfDB integrity, branding, and anti-fraud guidelines.
10. Application Process
Interested firms should submit:
- Technical Proposal (maximum 20 pages);
- Financial Proposal (submitted separately and password-protected).
Applications should be submitted electronically to:
📧 procurement@eabc-online.com with copy to info@eabc-online.com
By 30th January 2026, 5:00 PM EAT, clearly marked:
“Consultancy: Development of Communication and Donor Visibility Plan and Brand Guidelines – EABC–AfDB Project”
EABC is an equal opportunity organization and encourages applications from qualified firms regardless of gender, age, or background.
END